Dimmest Of Night (Dimmest Of Night Series) (11 page)

“I do think of you as mine. You are not just an assignment. Your turn.”

My heart soared and plummeted all at the same time. Knowing the Council would never let it be. “No, I don’t want you to let me go.” I didn’t want to say those words. Everything changes when you say words like that to someone. Feeling like everything would change if I didn’t. This moment felt like a fork in the road. Either decision would lead me down an irreversible path. It would have been easy to lie, to tell him I want a life with a husband and kids and the white picket fence someday. Those things that mattered in the past were no longer important to me. The reason was glaringly obvious. That dream didn’t contain Blane. Without Blane, it no longer mattered to me anymore.

Leaning down towards me, the world moved in slow motion. I wanted to remember every moment, knowing this was a limited time offer. To have my own angel in this moment of time. If only for a mere moment I would take it and cherish it. When his lips touched mine, my own emotions flooded my body. Heat, longing, and love. I loved him. Not quite sure when it happened, it didn’t really matter. I loved this man and angel with everything inside me. I would do anything to protect him, like he does me.

“Tell me when you want me to stop.” He whispered in my ear, his shirt disappearing from his body.

Running my hand up his muscular back, I didn’t know when I wanted to stop. Never? Even never sounded to soon. This time I didn’t have a reluctant response in my body. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled his massive body of muscles down on top of me. Kissing every piece of skin on his body that wasn’t clothed.

“You’re driving me crazy angel girl. Tell me now.”

“I don’t want you to stop.” In that instant all my clothes disappeared and I was jealous of that handy little trick.

Looking down at my body, “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, human or angel.”

Making a path with his mouth down my neck and then to my breasts. I wish I had the same trick and could make his clothes vanish. Running my fingers up his intricate tattoo I never thought I would hold such a man in my arms. Before I could rip my lips away to complain about his clothes, they vanished from his body giving me a full perspective of what was underneath them. If I was hot before, I was to the point of a boil over now. It had been to long since I laid down with a man. It never ended well and I never made a habit of it. Being able to read their emotions and being able to tell if they could lie, would ruin it before we even got to that point. To make love to someone that I was in love with was different. Better.

Rolling me over until I was now on top of him he ran his fingers through my hair.

“Carma.” Blane said looking at me with a pained expression.

“Don’t say anything. I don’t want to think about the future. I just want to think about now.”

Nodding his head, his hands clamped onto my cheeks and brought my lips back down to his in a frenzy. His hands were now scorching and moving all over my body. Holding me tightly against him my heart was pounding in my chest. As he rolled me back over gently, his lips never left mine as his strong arms held his weight up off me. Turning my head as his lips seared down my cheek and to my neck, I admired his muscular arm that was standing solid as he tortured me with his mouth. Moving my gaze down to his pecks and then to his washboard abs, I had never seen a man so gorgeous in my entire life. His hair falling onto his forehead as he brought his lips back up to mine, our eyes connected mere seconds before he pushed inside of me. His usual cool body was now blazing hot against mine. His eyes never left mine as he drove me to heights that no other man has ever accomplished. I knew in my heart at that moment, no other man could ever measure up.

I don’t know how long we were tangled up in each others arms afterward. I just knew I had a confusing mix of happiness, sadness and hopelessness. Happiness that I loved this man. Sadness that I loved this man, and confusion about what was going to happen in the future.

Half of his body was laying on mine, his head beside mine on the pillow. Sheets were tangled around us in a comfortable heap. Running my fingers across his chest, admiring his tattoo again. “What does it mean?”

“Hmm?”

The man sounded exhausted for the first time since I knew him.

“The tattoo.”

“I don’t know.”

Laughing, “What do you mean you don’t know? Then why did you get it?”

“I didn’t. It appeared one day soon after I was brought into this world. I was told it would mean something to me someday. That was hundreds of years ago.”

“You don’t know anything about it?”

“Just that it’s tribal.”

Shaking my head, I figured that part out. This man was such a mystery, straight down to his tattoo’s.

“You are amazing and beautiful angel girl.” Bringing his thumb up to my cheek.

It still felt surreal being tangled up in this gorgeous mans arms.

“What now?” I asked with apprehension in my heart.

“We keep fighting.”

That was a rather vague answer, but then again so wasn’t the question.

Leaning into him and kissing him gently on the lips, “Thank you for saving my life again.”

“You’re welcome. Anytime.” Smiling and looking into my eyes. “Sleep angel.”

Waking up I wasn’t sure what time of day it was. The curtains were pulled still draping us in darkness. He was still next to me, and the joy that brought to me was indescribable. Turning my head to look into his eyes, realizing he was sleeping. Smiling, now he sleeps. Curling up closer to his body I didn’t want to leave this bed ever again. My new reality was filled with demons trying to murder me, use me, or just torture me. I much rather preferred laying naked next to this gorgeous angel. I knew I couldn’t have him forever. I knew no one would ever measure up to him. Wondering if I could even learn to harness my abilities to try to have a normal life. And that’s when the demons aren’t hunting me.

Looking over at the clock it was two in the afternoon and I couldn’t believe we had slept that long. Well me at least, Blane hadn’t slept in days. Thinking back to the promise I made to myself merely days ago. Telling myself when he fell asleep, I was going to leave. Never putting him in harms way again. Looking at him now it was an even harder promise to keep. Now even more fiercely never wanting to put him in harms way. At the same time, I loved him and I wanted to never leave his side. Do I take the selfish route and stay with him until our time is up? That time being either he dies or I die. Or he kills the demons after me and I eventually get another angel to protect me. Or do I just leave, and quite possibly die myself? In a perfect world I would stay with him. Even if I was lucky enough for just that to happen, I would age. He wouldn’t.

Looking over at him again, his eyes were now open and staring at me. Smiling, “How long have you been awake?”

“Long enough to see an entire array of emotions flash across your face. What is wrong Carma? Do you regret it?”

“No. No. Absolutely not. Do you?”

Running his hands through my hair, “The only regret is that we didn’t sooner.”

Smiling at him, trying my hardest not to show the sadness I was feeling inside.

“I will fight everyday to protect you. To keep you safe.” He promised with sincerity in his voice.

“Until when? Until you are reassigned to someone else? Or, until you have killed all the demons required and then I’m eventually attacked again, and then here comes some other angel to save the day?”

“I will fight to stay with you Carma. I will do everything in my power. Do you believe me? I know asking you to believe me without your abilities to fall back on is hard for you. I’m asking you to do so anyway.”

“I believe you Blane.” Allowing a long pause between us. “Why me? What makes me different than some of the other women you have been assigned to? Please tell me I’m not one of many.”

Smiling and shaking his head, “You just don’t see it.”

“See what?”

“You are not one of many, you are the only person I have ever been assigned to that I have slept with. And as for the why you? I can’t explain it. There is something about you. You aggravate me. Your stubborn, your stunningly beautiful, caring and you make me want to protect you fiercely. You bring out the best in me, even after this short of time.”

Leaning in and kissing me passionately, he rolled me over on top of him. I felt so tiny on top of his broad, strong body. It did make me feel protected and safe. Deepening his kisses, his cell phone started ringing on the night stand.

“Ugh.” He complained reaching for it.

I had to smile, seeing a glimpse of Blane agitated didn’t happen very often. Laying my head down on his chest, he put the phone to his ear.

“Yeah.” He said visibly annoyed. “You did? No, that won’t work. I barely got her out alive last time. The abandoned one? Yeah I know it. Okay, twenty minutes.” Throwing his phone on the stand, “We have to go.”

Wrapping my arms around him tighter, I gave the best whine I could muster.

“Believe me, no one wants to stay more than I.”

“Why do we have to go?”

“Rylan and Aiden have information for me.”

“I thought they were going to send Gabriel?”

“He’s a new angel and it must be important information.”

Sighing and rolling off of him, “Okay.” Standing up and wrapping the sheet around me I walked over to the closet.

“I could get used to a view like this.”

He said as his hands were behind his head smiling at me. Smiling back at him, “Should I wear something I can run in this time?”

“Yeah.”

Dropping the sheet I pulled on a pair of black jeans with a white v-neck sweater. Looking back at him, he was still staring. “Are you going to get ready? Or are you just going to watch me get dressed?”

“Oh definitely watch you. Besides it doesn’t take me long.” Standing up his clothes materialized on him in an instant.

“I’m so jealous.”

Smirking, “One of the perks of being an angel.”

Pulling on a pair of black boots, I pulled my pant legs over them and stood. Tying back my hair I turned around in the mirror and decided that would have to be good enough.

“You look breath taking.”

“You, with the compliments. If you think that is going to get me back in bed then, well your probably right.”

Laughing, he pulled me into his arms. “Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Taking my hand, all the bolts on his bedroom door unlocked before walking me out into the hallway.

I was more than happy when I found out we wouldn’t be going into the city again. Turning right out of his driveway we drove deeper into the countryside. Reaching over and holding my hand he squeezed, giving me a reassuring smile.

“You don’t particularly like being around other angels do you?” I asked him curious.

“No.” Looking forward, giving me the short answer.

“You’re only doing it for me aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Another short answer.

It wasn’t very long until we pulled up to an old abandoned house that resembled nothing more than a shack at this point. Decaying wood barely held the tiny porch together, moss winding up the sides. The windows were cracked, and the yard was over grown. Turning the engine off, he was around at my door opening it before I even had a chance to blink. “Is this one of those instances where you’re trying to make people believe that it’s run down?” Tripping over a tree root, Blane caught me before I fell.

“Nope, it’s really run down.”

“If there is one thing I have learned from you Blane, is not everything is what it seems.”

Stopping and looking at me, “Glad you’re paying attention. You might survive this yet.”

Grabbing my arm and continuing up the steps, “You know, you don’t have to be truthful all the time. No scratch that, you don’t always have to say what you’re thinking.” I told him, trying not to trip again.

Laughing, “You are a complicated mix of a woman. You know that?”

Opening up the door and stepping in Rylan, Aiden and Gabriel stood talking among themselves.

Turning and looking at us, Rylan’s eyebrow went up when his eyes focused on Blane holding my hand. Rylan’s piercing blue eyes always had a way of unnerving me, like he could see straight into your soul. Aiden in his business suit attire made me wonder what and who he protected during the day.

“Blane.” Aiden said nodding his head.

Gabriel stood in the corner with his usual smirk of amusement on his face. Winking at me when I looked in his direction.

“You got the information I needed?” Blane asked getting straight to the point.

Aiden nodded and stepped forward, handing him a piece of paper.

Looking down at it briefly, “Seriously?”

Aiden nodded his head, “We checked an double checked. That is the one.”

“Son of a bitch.” Blane exclaimed, crumpling up the paper and shoving it in his pocket.

“Tsk, tsk Blane. The Council wouldn’t like such language.” Rylan said quite amused with himself.

“Oh Fuck off Rylan. I’ve heard much worse out of your mouth.”

Smirking at us, you could tell Rylan did whatever necessary to get under Blane’s skin.

“I need to talk to you alone Blane.” Aiden said swinging his glance over to me.

“No. I can’t leave her alone. Not for a second.”

Shaking his head, “You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Blane stood staring at Aiden, waiting.

“Okay then. I don’t have to tell you who you are going up against. You will need help Blane.”

“You know the rules Aiden. She’s my assignment. I’ve asked to much of you now. You help me with this, the Council will find out.”

“Fine then, contact Alexander then. He will pull some strings, or help you himself.”

“No. Absolutely not. You know involving Alexander in anything is having a direct line up to the Council. That is hardly flying below the radar.”

The information was unsettling and my mind started to run away with me. “Blane. No. You can’t do this. Don’t even think about it.” Now getting panicked.

“Sh, Carma it’s okay.”

Rylan and Aiden were staring at each other dumbfounded.

“See I told you she was different.” Gabriel said now pacing the small room.

“You know it is against the rules Blane.” Aiden said resting his hands in his pockets. Glancing down at our hands still laced together. He had such a superior calmness about him. While Rylan set your nerves on edge, Aiden calmed them.

“Yes Aiden, and we all know that you are about the rules.” Blane quipped back.

“And we all know you are about pushing them.” Aiden countered.

Smiling, “I’ll need you to stay with her while I go under ground.” Blane said to Aiden.

“What? No. I’m not staying with them.” I said starting to panic. Now glancing over at Rylan who wore a mask of indifference.

“Carma, I have to take care of this. And you can’t go with me. This leaves me with little options.” Blane whispered, trying to make me bend to his way.

“I don’t want you to go anyhow Blane.”

“I have to. This is my job.”

All the men were now staring at our argument like we both had grown two heads. “Why can’t Gabriel pull babysitting duty again?”

I could feel his hand squeeze tightly in mine, and his jaw get tight. He didn’t like me volunteering to spend alone time with Gabriel. Mistaking my intentions completely.

“Gabriel is to young and inexperienced with these types of demons.” He said between gritted teeth.

“If you want to see me baby, all you have to do is ask.” Gabriel said breaking his stride.

Blane pushing forward, I put my hand on his chest. “Not helping Gabriel. I just meant that I know him. I don’t know them.” Pointing in Aiden’s and Rylan’s direction.

Pulling me off to the side, and pushing me in the corner he got close to my face. “Carma, I have to do this. With them, I won’t worry about you as much. Do you want me going into hell worrying about your safety instead of concentrating on the task at hand?”

“Oh you’re good Blane.” Smacking him in the chest.

Smiling sweetly down at me. “I do this for you.”

“That’s the part that makes me feel awful.”

Putting his hand up to my face, “What can I do to make you feel better?”

“Don’t go?”

“Impossible.”

Sighing, I was fighting the tears.

“How about I give it a couple of days? I have to prepare anyhow. Give you some time to get used to the idea.”

“I’ll never get used to the idea of it Blane.” He was staring down at me and I knew I wouldn’t win. “Fine. I’ll take the couple days.”

“Deal.” Swiping my cheek with his thumb and turning.

“It happens in 48 hours. I will be in touch.”

“Agreed.” Aiden said nodding his head before disappearing. Rylan gone shortly after.

Gabriel stopped his pacing, winked at me and then disappeared.

“That angel is grinding on my nerves.” Turning to me with a look of anger in his eyes.

“Oh that’s just his personality. He’s harmless.”

“Yeah, sure. Harmless.”

Turning towards the door, pulling me behind his back before opening it. Looking out and in all directions, he slowly stepped out pulling me close on his heels.

“Okay, lets go.”

Walking quickly to the car I had to run just to keep up with his long strides. Pulling open the door he helped me inside, shutting the door and appearing next to me in a flash.

“Another ability I’m jealous of.” Shaking my head, wishing I could trade him a few.

Pulling away from the house, “You were meant for those abilities. Someday you will know the reasons.”

“That’s vague.”

“Life isn’t always black and white angel girl. I deal with shades of gray on a daily basis.”

“Yeah I’m starting to figure that out.”

Watching the countryside roll by, he continued on past the turn off to his house. “Where are we going?” Scared to know the answer.

“I have to go check on Rose.”

Shivering, I turned my attention back to the view.

“What was that about?” He asked questioning my body language.

“Don’t get me wrong she’s a nice lady, but she gives me the creeps.”

Laughing, “She gives you the creeps? How so?”

“She just knows stuff.”

“Go on.”

“I don’t know, like she’s a psychic or something.”

“She’s not psychic. She’s a healer.” Glancing over at me confused. “What did she say that makes you so uncomfortable?”

“Yeah I don’t want to talk about it.” I told him I wouldn’t lie and I didn’t. I really don’t want to talk about it. Like I am going to say, “Oh she told me I was in love with you, and she was right. Hell, she knew before I was sure.”

“Okay, well if you change your mind.”

“Thanks.”

That silence slipped between us, neither knowing what to say.

Pulling up to the nursing home, I waited as usual until he got my door. My constant protector. Walking in together the workers stopped to stare at Blane. Honestly, I don’t blame them. He is after all the ultimate eye candy. If I didn’t think he was trying to kill me when I first met him I would have totally been all over him. Even then.

This time he didn’t have to lead me. I knew where this woman was. Walking past that notorious room of our first kiss and into Rose’s.

This time she was laying in her bed and she looked rather frail. Looking over at Blane with concern. Yeah she creeped me out but I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. She was curled up with blankets all around her, pulled up to her chin. Homemade pink afghans laid across the foot of the bed.