Black Dawn (3 page)

Dane inhaled deeply. “Your fragrance is intoxicating, little fairy. You make it impossible for me to concentrate.”

She looked around quickly. “How is it that we’re sitting here, and no one is paying any attention to us?”

“Oh, yes. You’re quite observant.” He chuckled slightly. “Forgot to tell you, I possess magic. You see, we’re merely shadows, ghosts to the vampires all around us.” He laughed at her naivety. “What’s the matter? Ah, c’mon. Surely you didn’t think only fairies possessed magic? Now, how the hell did you think I was able to see you?”

“You’re a real dick, you know?”

“Yeah, I’ve been told. Listen up. Fairies don’t last long around here. You weren’t paying attention. Two vampires were following you, but for some reason you didn’t know it.
Hmmm.
I had to kill them. Perhaps you’ll find it in your heart to repay me with whatever it is you're willing to give up.”

“You’re sickening, do you know that?” Actually, he was quite enticing.

“
If you’re discovered here by yourself, they’ll come after you. I can uphold the veil, giving us the appearance of whatever it is I want. In the meantime, we’ll find your sister without alerting the vampires. It’s your choice. Fairies eventually run out of power because this place sucks the energy right out of you.”

That information had been delivered to her too late. Dar pressed her lips together as she came to the realization that she was in a complex predicament. It was true. As it was, there was little to no time to
waste
 
finding
her sister. She had to locate
Zari
fast and return to
Sychuria
.
Hopefully before someone located Cyrus.
Then it occurred to her. Her power had been depleted because she’d spent a great deal of energy subduing her father.

If a vampire were to attack her, she wouldn’t have the strength to fend it off by herself. Now
she
 
understood
why the law existed. Even so, it wasn’t right. The inhabitants of
Sychuria
should decide whether or not they wanted to come here.

She sighed. Long ago, fairies were able to exist for extended periods of time in the human world, collecting powers from each individual human. Of course, they were careful not to take too much of the human’s power.

But that was when humans dominated the world. Now things were different.
 
She knew things were tough, but she didn’t think they would be this bad. Dar opted not to tell Dane about the vampires using her sister’s powers to block the sun forever.

Dane waved a hand in front of her face. “So babe, what’s it
gonna
be?”

Her mind raced. If she made this deal with Dane, she’d be forced to give up her virginity. She’d imagined waiting for the right man to give herself to for the longest time.
Zari
would owe her an explanation.
“Oh, alright!
Let’s go.”

“
You need to do exactly as I say.” When she didn’t answer, he pulled her close to him. “Do I make myself clear?”

“
Yes,” she said in a strangled voice as he pressed his hard body against hers.

Dane smiled. “Yes what?”

Hell, no. No, he wasn’t going to make her say it.

“
Well Dar, I’m waiting.”

“
Yes, Dane?”

“
You’re playing games with me,” he snapped. I don’t like games. As a matter of fact, I don’t like games when I’m not in control!” He brought a large fist down on the wooden table,
nearly
 
knocking
it over. You’re really starting to piss me the fuck off, fairy!”

She jumped at his sudden change of character. It was amazing how he could be so cool calm and collected one minute, then a raving maniac the next. She wondered if he was plagued by demons, or
mentally challenged.

“
Yes
—
Master.”
She almost gagged. How dare he demand she call him
Master.
A fairy didn’t do a vampire’s bidding, nor had one of her kind ever been submissive to the likes of such a creature.

“
Say it again,” he breathed. “You’re making my cock h
ard. I promise not to hurt you the first time.”

She licked her lips as he leaned toward her, crushing her mouth against his. The heat from his body burned into hers
—
totally a vampire trait. Normally they were cool to the touch, or so she had heard.

Dar moaned as the vampire’s tongue caressed hers.
 
He sucked and nibbled on her lips, dragging his kisses out, marking her as his. Unknowingly, sh
e began to gyrate in her seat, slowly rocking her hips back and forth. She squeezed her thighs tight as she reveled in the vampire’s
kisses,
and the juices that flowed freely from her pussy.

Dane broke the connection and licked his lips. “Dar, you taste like nectar and sunshine, babe.” He reached over and squeezed her thigh. “Can’t wait to see what your honey pot tastes like.”

“
I won’t like anything you do to me,” she blurted out. She froze as his facial expression changed. Now, she’d done it.

“
That’s going to cost you, sweets. I had planned on taking it easy on you, but not now. You’ll pay for those words.”

He rose to his feet, and towered over her, making her wish she didn’t have to depend upon him to help find her sister.

“
Up—on your feet now,” Dane demanded with a growl. “Fuck with me and I’ll turn your fairy world upside down.”

She nodded quickly, wondering how she’d gotten herself in this mess to begin with. Oh yeah, trying to rescue her sister. Up until now, she thought she’d had all the answers. “Yes, Master.” There was no way in hell her world could be turned upside down any more than it already had been, or so she thought.

Quickly they strode through the crowd, undetected. Off to the left of them, two vampires ravaged a human female. Dar cringed at the crimson fluid spurting in the air, and longed for the safety of
Sychuria
. Crossing the threshold of the bar, she followed Dane towards a large black and silver motorcycle.

“I’m assuming this piece of machinery is yours.”

He grinned. “You’re assumption is correct.” He thrust a large black helmet in her hands.

“Where’s yours?”

“Don’t need one,” he assured her. Where we’re going, the road gets bumpy and I’m not in the mood for scraping fairy brains off the pavement.”

She scented the air. “The sun will come up in an hour. Aren’t you worried?”

“Hush and get your sweet ass on the bike, or I’ll forget we have a deal.”
 

Tight-lipped and slightly aggravated at his bossiness, she did as she was told. “Where are we going?”

“A little town about an hour away from here.
Do yourself a favor. When I start asking questions, sit back, look pretty and keep that damned mouth of yours shut.
Capische
?”

Dar nodded stubbornly and swore she’d tear him a brand new asshole once she found her sister. She’d make the bastard wish he’d never met her. She smiled coolly before mounting the motorcycle.

Chapter Three

The town of
Michum
wasn’t where Dar had originally planned on going. She wondered if he knew what he was doing, or if he were leading her into some unknown trap. When the sun rose, she also wondered how it could be that Dane didn’t turn to dust.

Dane hadn’t been joking about the conditions of the road. Each bump made her cling to him tightly. Closing her eyes, she imagined how it would be when they coupled. Of course, the rumbling of the loud engine between her thighs coerced her to the brink of an orgasm.

Dar was disappointed because ride didn’t seem to last long. Along the way, she’d seen more destruction than she wanted to. The human realm was now officially an apocalyptic wasteland. In the midst
of
 
a
thick thatch of trees was a small diner. Dane parked the motorcycle and she slowly dismounted.

“Look, I need you to answer a question for me.”

“Depends on what it is.”

“Are you a
dhampir
?”

“Leave it alone, fairy!”

“
Never mind.”
She wanted to push the issue, but she passed due to the steely look of his eyes penetrating hers.

“Don’t press your luck, Dar,” Dane growled. “I’m in no mood right now. I’m irritable and need to feed. Care to volunteer?”

Fear mingled with arousal washed over her body and her nipples pressed painfully against the fabric of her tunic. She hated to admit, but he was getting under her skin in more ways than one.

“I asked you a question.”

She needed to play things cool. “Hell no,” she chirped before pushing his hand out of the way. “You’ll not feed on me.”

He pulled her against his body, the smell of pure unadulterated male and leather teasing her senses. A tingling sensation erupted between her thighs at his forceful nature and she realized she didn’t want to deny him.

 
Dane leaned down and sniffed her hair as he palmed her breast. “I’ll do that and so much more,” he growled. “Once you seal our deal, I
will
feed on you.” When she tried pulling away, he dug his fingers into her flesh. “You’ll enjoy it, I promise. You’ll beg me to make love to you all night long.”

At a loss for words, she knew he meant every word he said. She fought hard to come up with something witty. She parted her lips to speak, but he called her out.

“I dare you to make a smart –assed comment. Say a word, and so help me I’ll take you out in the field and have my way with you and I won’t care who watches! Your strength wanes, little fairy. I can sense it. You’re totally vulnerable. I’m starving and horny as hell!
Last warning.
Don’t. Fuck.
With.
Me.”

She gulped because Dane was correct. Not only would she be vulnerable to other vampires, but to him as well. Right now she needed to focus and stay on his good side, at least until she could regain her strength and find her sister.
 
Then she’d kick his ass.

“Very well, Dane.” She bit the inside of her mouth, she’d become so angry. She didn’t like feeling so damned helpless, not to a vampire. On the other hand, she liked his demanding ways. Dane held a bit of mystery and a steely attitude that the men in
Sychuria
never would possess. It was titillating for her to be so prim and proper and he had the potential to turn into a savage beast. She knew he could ravage her in more ways than one. It was exciting, and she wished to find out more about Dane, but alas, she battled with herself about her feelings.

“Thought you’d see things my way.
After you.”
He motioned her into the tiny diner.

As she walked, she could sense his searing gaze upon her. Tired humans eyed them up as they strode down the aisle and to the last booth on the right hand side in the back.

They slid into the booth. “See, told you we’d stick out like sore thumbs. Well, you do anyways.”

“Why are they looking at me like that?”

“You’re the most beautiful thing these humans have laid eyes on in quite a while. Death mostly exists around here. These are half healthy humans. Ones the vamps have yet to feed on.”

“Well, what makes you think these humans know anything?”

“Trust me, humans know plenty. In this town the vampires ration them. The true slaughter isn’t far off.”

Dar frowned. “Damn, you can be so cruel. There’s something I just don’t understand. Won’t the vampires starve to death?”

“It’s a cruel world, in case you hadn’t noticed and they have these fancy scientists working on a way to replicate human blood. They’re not stupid.”

“That makes sense. Well, you don’t seem to be positive about the situation. You never know what might happen; things can always change.”

Oh, I’m sorry. Things must be way different in fairyland.” He propped himself up on his elbows and eyeballed her with a gritty look. “Why the
fuck are
you so damned perfect? Why is your world so damned perfect?”

“
Sychuria
is where I come from. What makes you think I’m so perfect?”

“You’re just so. What’s the word I’m thinking of?
Unsoiled.
Pure.
So good,” he growled. “You make a vampire just want to….” His words trailed off and he shot a most intense gaze her way. “There’s this need to devour you just to fill this empty hole I have within me, and I’m not talking about food.”

“You’re a jerk, you know?” She shot back, trying to show she was unaffected by his sexual innuendos. He was dangerous and he knew it. She knew it. That turned her on. This was what her father was trying to protect her and her sister from.

“Have you ever been with a vampire before?” he asked her.

“That’s none of your business,” she snapped, wrinkling her nose up at him. How dare he ask of her sexual experience? Actually, she was more pissed because there was nothing to tell him.

Before he could answer, a tired looking human waitress strolled up with two glasses of water. She sat them down slowly, took a pen from her pocket and whipped out a pad. “May I take your order?”

“Um.”
Dar looked at Dane. “Don’t know what to eat.”

“Order anything.” He sneered at her. “Yeah, two egg specials, hash browns, coffee.”

“Will that be all?”

“That’s it,” he snapped. When the waitress walked away, he grinned. “Try to act normal, okay?” He shook his head. “I’m thinking this is a mistake. Oh, there’s Zed now.”

“Zed?”

“Yeah.
Zed.
He’s a human. He knows things.”

Dar looked up to see a tall, stringy man headed in their direction. She watched carefully as Zed slid into the booth.

“Hey man, how’s it going?”

“I’m still kicking,” Dane said quickly.

“Who’s your friend?”

“Just someone I’m giving a lift to.”

“Oh.
Hmm.
She doesn’t look like she’s from around here.”

“Well, she’s not.”

“All right already! Dar snapped.
“Dane, really?
Could you ask him?”

Dane gritted his teeth. “What the hell did I tell you before we came in? You so are going to regret this. Hard head!” he snapped.

“Wow.” Zed smirked. “Dude, you never told me you were married.”

Dane’s eyes widened.
“
Wha
?
You think?” He laughed,
then
his expression totally changed.
“Oh hell no.
Married to that? Why the hell would you think that?”

“Uh,
dunno
. You two just seem like an old married couple.” Zed hunched his shoulders and slouched in the booth.

“Shut up!” Dane sneered as he scowled at her. She knew she’d have to answer to him once they left this place. “Look.” He lowered his voice. “Need to know what the deal is with the vampires in these parts. Have you seen any suspicious looking persons around here?”

Zed nodded. “You mean, like your girlfriend over here?” He gestured toward Dar. “She’s the most beautiful being I’ve seen.” He appeared to be lulled by Dar’s beauty. “Not even the female vampires are as beautiful as she is.”

Dane’s palm connected to his forehead.
“
Arrrgh
!
She’s not my girlfriend!”

“Fuck buddy?” Zed laughed.

“You’re pissing me off, man! But yeah, that’s more along the lines of what we are.” He looked her in the eye, and she could only assume he thought nothing more of her than that. She got the message loud and clear.

“We’re not even that,” Dar snorted. “I’d never allow this trash to touch me.” Somehow, it pissed her off that he’d considered her to just be a fuck buddy of his. In the few hours they’d known each other, she’d begun to become mildly attached to the vampire. It confused and irritated her at the same time. She’d never felt anything for anyone of the opposite sex. Somehow, Dane had awakened something inside her.

“She’s arrogant.” Zed said with a smile. “I’ve never known you to let any woman talk to you like that.
You losing
your touch?” The man lit a cigarette and winked at her.

“Shit stirrer!” Dar sneered.

“See what I mean, man?” Zed pointed out.

“Yeah, she needs a good spanking.” Dane sneered, giving her a piercing warning glance.

“Really?
Do you really think I’m intimidated by you?
 
Wow, I’ve really struck the jackpot today. I’m just surrounded by idiots.” Dar folded her arms and stared at a pissed off Dane. He was infuriated, but she no longer cared.

“You just wait until we’re alone.” He reprimanded her while wagging his finger in her direction.

“What could you possibly do to me that will make me have any regrets?” She belted out. “You know, all you’ve managed to do since we’ve met is thoroughly piss me the hell off!”

“The feeling’s mutual, my dear.” Dane ground out as Zed simply chuckled and watched them bicker. “Listen to me. One more word and…” Dane’s fangs lengthened and he growled at her. “I have no problems with helping myself to fairy blood!”

For the first time since she’d been in the vampire’s company, she feared him. His eyes were red, and a strange aura seeped from every pore in his body. It was a sickly sweet aura of death. He’d killed in the past, and knowing this almost broke her heart. The beast peering back at her was not to be trifled with.

“Wow. Don’t think she’ll be shooting off at the mouth anymore. I think you made her piss herself,” Zed smirked.

“It’s about fucking time!” Dane’s voice had dropped to a blackened, bass-filled tone. The voice made her hair stand on end and she shivered.
“Now.”
He hissed. “Tell me what you’ve seen.”

“Well,” Zed scratched his head several times. “A few days ago, there was this gorgeous girl who stopped in. She seemed lost. Looked almost like your friend here.” He pointed to Dar.

“Describe her.” Dar demanded breathlessly. Excitement rushed through her veins. The woman he spoke of just had to be
Zari
.

“Well, she looked similar to you, except taller. But, like you, very beautiful. Oh yeah, and she was well dressed.
Never seen clothing like that anywhere around these parts.”