Surrender (22 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

They ambled for a few miles, and neither one of her abductors spoke. The driver glanced a time or two at her in the rearview mirror. He seemed to be the calmer of the two. Her leg touched the male’s next to hers each time the car jostled. She tensed, afraid he’d give in to his hunger and feed from her. One thing seemed obvious, whoever had sent them didn’t want her dead and didn’t want them to feed from her.

Must be a pretty powerful guy.

Finally, they reached a large estate, and she was dragged from the vehicle. Since her legs were bound, she couldn’t walk, so the driver picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Angry tears spilled from her eyes. Her legs and arms were numb from being strapped so tightly, her mouth was dry, and she was terrified.

No one knew where she was this time. She was at the mercy of whomever her captor was.

Inside the estate, Wendy was taken into a large sitting room. The demons cut the straps and pushed her not so gently into a cushioned chair. She was grateful when her gag was removed but continued to cry at the intolerable throbbing in her arms and legs when the circulation began to return to its course.

The demons remained, standing guard around her. She wiped her eyes with her shirt sleeve, refusing to look at either of them. A female entered, but she barely acknowledged Wendy’s presence. She spoke to the larger, meaner demon.

Wendy strained to hear, but they spoke softly and in what she suspected to be Gaelic or some other language. The demon that carried her in went to a bar and poured a glass of water. She watched greedily as he drained it. To her surprise, he noticed her gaze and poured another and brought it to her.

“What are you? A servant now?” the mean one grunted. “She’s a prisoner, not here for tea.”

The nicer one didn’t reply. He put the glass to her lips and waited for her to drain the glass without a word. Wendy wanted to ask questions. Were they planning to kill her? Were they after the key? How could she possibly stop them from taking it? If only she’d stayed in Dublin, under Patrick’s protection, she wouldn’t be in the situation she was in now.

The door swung open, and a commanding demon walked in. Not that he had to tell her this. She felt his evil resonate and fill the entire space upon his entrance.

Each movement seemed like that of a hunter, calculated and measured. The demon was a large man, not so much tall as bulky. His dark slacks and black jacket did not hide his mass. He seemed out of place in his modern dress, his demeanor not from this time. He wore his dark hair cropped in a short cut, his square jaw was emphasized because of it. When his eyes met hers, Wendy swallowed and wrapped her arms around herself.

“Marlon, it’s her. The Fae Gerard wanted.” The mean demon was quick to kiss ass and point out the obvious. Wendy would have rolled her eyes if she hadn’t been scared stiff.

“I’m aware of that.” Marlon’s voice was like an ice pick at her temples. “Well done.”

Wendy turned to stare at the mean demon. He preened at the compliment.
What an ass-kisser.

Marlon gave her a knowing look. He must have heard her thoughts. Wendy began to purposely keep her mind blank.

The imposing Marlon closed in and studied her through narrowed eyes. “Tell me, little Fae, why is Gerard so interested in you?”

“My-my parents will pay for my release, I can…,” Wendy began.

“I have no need for money and don’t wish to start any conflicts with your kind,” Marlon interrupted. “Just curious why my associate is so interested in you.”

Wendy was about to start singing Christmas songs when a large-breasted blonde flounced in, and thankfully, Marlon turned away, dismissing her.

The blonde’s glare raked over Wendy. “What is this?”

Marlon strode to the woman. “Get out of here, Camilla.”

Camilla wasn’t deterred. “I just got here. I traveled far to be with you tonight, Sire, “she draped herself over Marlon dramatically. “You’re all I have thought of.”

Wendy saw the guards tense but not with fear, more with anticipation. Things were about to get interesting for Camilla.

A smile curved Marlon’s lips as he looked down at the sniffing woman. Camilla yelped when Marlon’s hand gripped her chin and lifted her off her feet. Swinging her mercilessly, he took her mouth in his for a kiss that was meant to punish, then shoved her at the mean demon. “Don’t enter any room in this house unless you are invited. Wait for me in the bedroom.”

The mean demon was more than pleased. He greedily grabbed the now-whimpering woman and half dragged her out of the room. She managed to wrestle free to turn to Marlon. “I love you.”

“That is your mistake,” Marlon replied, not looking at her. This time she didn’t fight the demon taking her from the room.

Wendy could not stop shaking. Even her teeth began to rattle from the fear that took over.

Marlon turned his full attention to her. “Now, to the matter at hand.” He looked to the remaining guard. “Lock Miss O’Sullivan in a room on the third floor and stand guard.” Next, he spoke to Wendy. “If Gerard doesn’t come for you, I will have to kill you. You are not worth a clash with the Fae.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“You will serve me well.” The words resonated in Fallon’s head as he watched the shocked look on the face of a demon he’d just thrust his sword through.

For a second, the demon’s expression relaxed. Like any living being, he refused to believe his time was up, and then, he evaporated.

Breathing heavily, Fallon swirled around at the sound of footsteps behind him, only to see that Cyn had just dispatched his opponent as well.

He’d heard the words over and over in his head since the Master demon’s visit. He could no longer ignore the restlessness inside, the sleepless days where he tossed and turned, needing to be out, needing to fight and kill. He stormed over to the end of the alley and studied the empty street, not ready to hold a conversation. When Cyn approached him, he tensed. Reading the Protector’s mind, he knew that Cyn was about to question him.

“Fallon, let’s talk.” It was not a request. “Something is wrong, and damn it, I am not about to lose you, too.” Cyn grabbed him roughly, swinging him around to face him. “What the hell is up with you? You go nonstop with a blood-thirst like I’ve never seen. Julian is going to notice the change in you.”

Fallon’s eyes flew to search the shadows. Cyn continued. “I know you’ve been avoiding him. He’s probably noticed by now as well.”

Shrugging him away, Fallon controlled the urge to swing at Cyn, to run away and hide from everyone. More than the bloodlust, lately, he craved solitude. The darkness beckoned him, and for a second, he almost ran.

Shaking his head, he shoved his sword into his scabbard and rubbed his hands up over his face and down the back of his head. “If I knew what was wrong, I’d tell you. I think it’s something bad, Cyn,” he looked away, not wanting to look into his new partner’s eyes. “Perhaps it’s time I talk with Julian.”

He stalked away toward his Jaguar, got in and drove away. No doubt, by the time he got home, Julian would be there waiting.

Just a block down the street, he sensed her. It was the woman he’d been with. Tonia. Her name was Tonia Mohr. She’d never told him yet he’d found out. Several times, he’d found himself outside her apartment. Once, he’d almost knocked, but sure she wouldn’t want to see him, he’d left.

He pulled over and lowered the window. She was fighting, and she was in trouble. He jumped out of the car and ran into the darkness.
What in the bloody hell?

She fought like a warrior. Her small sword flashed as she swung, and the demon before her had to jump back to avoid losing his head. If he had been her only opponent, Fallon was sure the demon would have been dead, but another two were circling her, and she fought to keep them all at a distance.

Fallon drew his sword and approached silently. By the time the first demon noticed his presence, it was too late. As soon as he fell, the next demon sprung toward him. He wasn’t a good fighter, and Fallon was able to finish him off easily.

He caught a glimpse of Tonia killing the last one. Then, she drew up and studied him, her eyes full of distrust.

Fallon ignored her obvious uneasiness. “You must have a death wish. You were outnumbered and in trouble.”

“I’m going to die sooner or later, and I’m pretty sure that when I do, a demon will probably kill me.” Her voice held no fear. She stepped closer, grabbed his jaw, and stared into his eyes. “What the hell are you?”

Disconcerted, Fallon jerked out of her grip. “A friend. And how do you know about demons?”

She ignored his question. “I don’t believe you. I don’t trust anyone with demon blood. And you are definitely part demon.” She took a step back.

“Demons cannot have sex without feeding. If you remember correctly, although I know our ‘encounter’ was quite rough, I didn’t bite you.” Fallon gave her a bored look, but his heart raced. Was it possible he was showing demon characteristics as she’d described?

She shrugged a shoulder but didn’t shield her sword. “Perhaps you’re a different type.” She scanned the area before her green eyes locked with his. She was still breathing hard.

A pang of lust raced through him at the lifting and lowering of her breasts. He lowered his lashes in a way that he knew always made women instantly wonder what he was hiding. “Perhaps you need to be reassured?”

When he raised his gaze, he could see that he was affecting her. Her lips parted seductively, but then, she took another step away from him.

“You’re bad news. I don’t like that I have a hard time saying no to you. I’m not going to say yes this time.” She walked past him toward his car. “Can you give me a lift? I seem to have killed my date.”

Minutes later, Tonia’s legs were wrapped around his waist. Fallon took her proffered nipple into his mouth and flicked at it for just long enough for her to throw her head back and scream.

Not able to hold back, he thrust into her. In one stroke, he became fully sheathed. Both of them moaned loudly. Her body tightened around his shaft, and she pushed up slightly and fell back, creating friction that almost made his knees buckle. He looked up to see that her eyes were hazed with passion. It was the most beautiful sight.

Growling, he pumped into her over and over again. She grabbed his face and forced his mouth up to hers.

She kissed him almost savagely until she had to stop to cry out as she climaxed, her entire body quivering. Fallon followed.

Fallon was shocked when she slapped him hard across the face.

“I didn’t say yes!” She glared at him but didn’t move away from him.

“You didn’t say no either,” Fallon replied, his lips curving into a smile. She gave a husky laugh. He grinned more widely when she tensed abruptly, feeling him hardening again.

“Say no,” he urged her, pushing his hips into her. “Say it, or I’m not going to stop.”

“No,” she gasped and rolled him onto his back. “You don’t do anything this time.” Her long blonde hair created a silken curtain around their faces as she leaned forward, her breasts just inches from his mouth, causing his mouth to water. Then, she began to ride him, and he lost all ability to think.

Two hours later, he pulled into his driveway. Even from there, he sensed the Roman’s presence. It was time to find out what he was becoming. After that, he had to figure out what to do about Tonia.

She had an effect on him.

A strong effect that he wasn’t prepared for.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Julian didn’t turn to face him when he walked into the library. Fallon wasn’t surprised to see Roderick present. He sensed more Protectors in the house. Cyn and Logan were probably there but were not in the room.

Fallon went directly to his liquor cabinet and poured some whiskey. “Would anyone like a drink besides me?” He was careful to keep his voice casual, not wanting to piss off Julian more than he probably already was at having to wait hours for him to arrive. “I apologize for not being here sooner,” he spoke, not looking at either man.

“Look at me.” Julian’s words were not a request but an order.

The glass almost slipped from his hand as he placed it down. He glanced at the liquid as it sloshed around, wishing he’d taken at least a swallow. He met Julian’s gaze and flinched as raw power slammed into his mind.

After a few minutes, he began to shake and fell to his knees. As hard as he tried, he could not pull his eyes away from Julian’s. Sharp pains stabbed into his skull, but he couldn’t cry out.

He barely saw the Roman as a haze covered his line of vision. Vaguely, he heard Roderick speak.

“That’s enough, Julian. You’re going to kill him.”

Finally, the needles in his brain began to fade, and Fallon dove face first into the carpet.

He heard footsteps and was then picked up and placed on the couch. Moaning from the sledgehammer rattling in his head, he grabbed at his temples and tried to sit up.

He was pushed back down on the couch, and he growled in response. At the moment, regardless of Julian’s status, he wanted to get up and punch the fucker.

Instead, he lay back, taking deep breaths to relieve the pain.

“The demon stone in you is very strong,” Julian told him matter-of-factly. “You can control it. For now.”

Fallon opened his eyes and blinked trying to focus on the Roman. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

“I know you passed out one night while attempting to rescue a woman. You didn’t report it. You were bitten by a demon and fed some of his blood while you were out. It seems that a Master is preparing you for possession.” Julian’s brow wrinkled in thought.

“This has happened before. Whoever this demon is, he needs a strong body to possess. He must be losing his powers. I can only suspect that when we removed the key from here, he had to find another source of power. You see, once his powers are depleted, he needs to abandon his body and possess another. Most humans cannot tolerate possession by a Master, which is why they target immortals.”

“Well, I won’t allow it.” Fallon stood and swayed a bit before walking back to retrieve his drink. He needed to do something to keep from taking a swing at Julian. “What did you do to me?” he asked, jaw clenched.

“I delved into your mind to retrieve your memories. I also placed a block there to keep the demon from being able to track you.” Julian eyed Fallon’s glass. “You might not want to do that.”

Defiantly, Fallon downed the amber liquid, his eyes locked on Julian’s. No sooner did the fiery liquid go down than it came back up. He sputtered and coughed when it exited through his mouth and nose.

Julian’s lips curved. “You can’t eat or drink for a few hours, until your system stabilizes. I had to do a lot of work to get through some recent
vivid
memories to get to the base of your problem.”

In spite of the burning in his nose, Fallon knew exactly what Julian was referring to. Rage surged in him, the idea that Julian knew of every instant of his time with Tonia didn’t sit well.

Roaring, he ran toward the Roman and tackled him to the ground.

Unfortunately, Julian was very powerful. He shoved him back, and Fallon flew into the air, not stopping until he bounced off the ceiling and back to the floor, landing with a heavy thud.

“Check your temper, Protector,” Julian told him, walking out of the library. “I will need to reinforce the block in a few days. This is only a temporary fix. Unless we find the Master and destroy him, eventually, the demon will win.”