A Curse in Darkness by Sherilee Gray

Chapter 14

Warrick

My dove stayedbehind me as we walked through the woods, and I was alert to every breath, every sound, every subtle move she made.

I was closer to the edge than I’d ever been, and if she touched me just once more tonight…

I sucked in a steadying breath and growled low when the scent of her need reached out to me. My female was wet and achy and still she turned me away. No female had ever refused me. I knew I could be intimidating, my size alone could frighten them away. So I let them come to me, like Willow did tonight, and if one made their interest known and I offered to fuck them, they enthusiastically accepted.

But after my dove touched me, she wouldn’t let me do the same in return.

I didn’t understand. She confused me, was driving me to madness from wanting her.

She wanted me too. I was in no doubt about that, yet she continued to deny herself. Deny us both.

By the time we reached the Grand Valencia, the moon had slipped behind the clouds. I scanned the area. The place had been cleared out, cleaned up, and locked down. The aftermath of death, all evidence of the horror show that had taken place, hidden from the humans who worked here, their minds wiped clean of the memory.

I could still smell the blood in the air, though, and the beast surged closer to the surface, growing more alert.

Willow cursed, and I turned to her. She was looking up at the darkened hotel.

“What is it?”

She planted her hands on her rounded hips, her torn, bloodstained dress clinging to every inch of her smooth flesh. I wanted to bite her and leave a mark, cover her in my scent so every male knew she belonged to me.

“Warrick? Did you hear what I said?” She shook her head and scooped up the delicate heels she’d been wearing, slipping them back on.

I wanted to fuck her while she wore those shoes.

“Warrick?”

Dragging in a breath, I made myself focus on her words.

She sighed. “I dumped my purse when I took off after you. My phone, the keys to my truck were in it. Someone probably took it inside.”

“I’ll take you home.” I strode to my bike, yanked a pair of jeans from the saddle bag, and tugged them on, leaving the suit I’d stripped off earlier in a heap on the ground. I’d never have reason to wear it again. I’d only forced myself into the fucking thing so I could be here tonight. So I was here to protect my dove.

She paused. “It’s fine, I’ll call Iris.”

I held back a vicious growl, my anger rushing forward again. “You don’t have a phone, remember?” I swung my leg over the seat and started my bike, the engine roaring to life.

Still, she didn’t move.

“Get on my bike, Willow. Now.” Fury ignited in her green eyes, and she opened her mouth to fire more attitude at me, but I got in first for both our sakes. “I’m not a man, I’m a hellhound, I’m an animal, and we do not like being denied. So don’t fucking push me, not tonight.” I tried to breathe through the feeling growing inside me, not just the urge to claim what was mine but something else, a feeling I didn’t understand. Fuck, there was an ache in my chest and the urge to rub at it was overwhelming.

“Not a fan of what you’re implying, Warrick,” she said, the hilt of her blade slipping into her hand.

I fought the growl trying to crawl up my throat. “No?”

She shook her head.

“I fought one of my brothers tonight, a loyal brother I have to hunt down before he murders anyone else, and then put him down. The animal in me doesn’t like that idea, and that part of me is also struggling to understand why my female, who smells ripe for fucking, who finally touched me, still won’t submit to me. There is no reasoning with that side of me, do you understand? I’m not some weak, pathetic human you can play with. I’m at breaking point, female, and if you turn and walk away right now, the beast will break free, that’s how close to the edge I am. That’s not me trying to scare you, that’s just what will happen. So either you get the fuck on the back of my bike, or I’ll pick you up and put you on it.”

She stood motionless for several long seconds, eyes razor sharp on me, then she gripped her blade tighter and the muscles in her arms tensed.

“You going to try and kill me, dove?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I haven’t decided.”

I took in her stance, the tension in her beautiful body. “What is your blade telling you?”

“That you meant what you said.”

Her gaze became distant, hollow, and a slight tremor moved through her. I fucking hated it. I wanted her fire, not her fear. But I wasn’t human, I was a fucking animal, and I didn’t play by human rules.

I waited to see what she’d do. That blade in her hand was no ordinary blade, she could wound me badly, maybe even kill me if she moved fast enough after she threw it.

“I don’t want to hurt you, dove. That’s the last thing I want.”

She studied me for long seconds. “There were more bodies found with Jane’s…at the location she was found, a lot of them. Did you and your brothers put them there? Are you responsible for all those deaths?”

I stared at her as every muscle in me tightened. Did she truly think I was some stone-cold fucking killer? That I’d murder innocent humans for a bit of fun? “Jag found them.” I tapped my nose. “Hard to miss that much death. He buried Jane there, and I tracked the fucker responsible for the other bodies—it wasn’t hard, the scent of his victims, their fear, it saturated his home, then I ended him so he couldn’t hurt anyone else. It seemed the best solution. They will assume she was one of his kills, and like Jane’s mother, those people had family looking for them.”

She blinked. “You killed a serial killer?”

“Yes.”

“Human?”

“Yes.”

“Have you done something like that before?”

“Yes.”

Her chest expanded, and then…she moved to the bike, paused for a moment, eyeing me, then finally climbed on behind me.

Thank fuck.

Her arms came around my waist, but the dagger stayed in her tight grip, the point of the blade pressed to my stomach. I let her, if it made her feel safer. Still, helplessness pulsed through me because I didn’t know how to make her understand. I couldn’t make her see that every part of me wanted to protect her, not hurt her.

Why did she keep refusing me? Why did she keep denying us both, when it was obvious she wanted me just as fiercely?

The ride to her family’s house was torture. Her pussy snugged up against my ass, her tits, hot and soft against my back. The way her thighs tensed against mine with every corner we took.

I wanted to take her to my den, my room, my bed, not here to this house. She didn’t belong here, not anymore.

Rolling to a stop, I waited for her to climb off, then did the same. I should stay back, keep my hands to myself, but that was impossible right then. I advanced on her, and when she retreated, I gritted my teeth. “Stop.”

“No, you stop,” she bit out, her face flushed.

I didn’t stop. I closed the space between us, ignoring the dagger in her hand because she would either stab me or she wouldn’t. I was positive she didn’t want to kill me, and another taste of her lips was worth a second slice to the gut.

Hooking my hand around the back of her neck, I stilled her, but instead of claiming her mouth like I’d planned, I locked eyes with her. Confusingly, something stronger than lust, something I couldn’t name, gripped me in that moment. “Tell me you’re not afraid of me, dove.” I couldn’t bear that she might truly be frightened of me.

She licked her lips. “My dagger’s telling me you’re a threat, Warrick. I think fear is healthy for me where you’re concerned.”

I gritted my teeth as the strange pain in my chest intensified at her words.

Didn’t she know? Didn’t she understand—I would lay waste to this entire city to keep her safe.

* * *

Willow

The vibration of my blade was low. The beast, not the man, could hurt me, but he didn’t want to. I knew that deep down, I did. But the threat was there all the same, and I’d be an idiot to ignore it.

“I would never purposely harm you, but I want you, dove, and when I’m this close to the edge, one push and I would take you like an animal, rough and driven by need.”

A shudder moved through me. The things he just said should repulse me, scare me, but they didn’t. No, what I felt was the opposite. He wanted me and he’d made no secret of that, and he was warning me not to push him when he was like this. “You’ve been in your animal form around me before, you had control.”

“The form I take makes no difference, the beast is in here.” He thumped his fist against his chest. “And in here.” He tapped the side of his head. “We are one at all times.”

“Right.” That made sense, but it also made me realize just because he was standing in front of me looking like a man, he wasn’t one, and never would be, the beast was always there.

“You’re still afraid,” he rasped.

I nodded. There was no point lying. He could sense it.

His hand coasted down my bare arm, his fingers curling around my wrist. He lifted my hand that still held the dagger and put the blade to his throat. “I would rather you slit my throat now, dove, than harm you. My strength in all things, including control over the beast, is unsurpassed. That is why I’m alpha. But sometimes I am driven close to the edge, and when that happens, I will always warn you, like I did tonight. I would never intentionally hurt you or frighten you, and the part of me that is capable of it only wants to get closer to you. I just want to get closer to you.”

He’d never said anything like that to me in all the time I’d known him, and I didn’t know how to react, what to say. It was easy to turn down the gruff male telling me he wanted to fuck me, but this was something else entirely. “Understood,” I whispered. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”

He stilled and scented the air. “You’re injured.”

“It’s just my feet, they…”

He lifted me off the ground, surprising me, and planted me on the hood of Iris’s car. My ankle was in his hand a moment later.

“Warrick, it’s fine.”

He growled, ignoring me as he brushed the dirt from the bottom of my foot.

“Honestly, it’s…”

He spat in his hand and rubbed it over the damaged skin. I shut my mouth and watched him, his absolute focus as he tended my wounds. It should gross me out, but it didn’t, it made my belly flutter and my heart clench.

Stupid goddamn heart.

He repeated the whole spit and rub routine on the other foot, his hold firm yet gentle. “They should be better by morning.” He glanced up at me, his thumb stroking my skin. “I can feel you trembling. You still think I’d harm you? You don’t believe me.”

I was, and yeah, that fear was still there. But the fear wasn’t about him physically hurting me, not anymore. God, I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t give into this force between us. It had disaster written all over it, but I didn’t want him beating himself up over this either. “I believe you.”

“Then leave with me. Spend the night with me, dove.”

The way he said it had my heart fluttering. “That would be a huge mistake, Warrick. I can’t ever let that happen. I don’t want it to happen,” I made myself say.

A muscle in his jaw jumped, then in a movement so fast I could barely follow him, he tugged me forward, his other arm banding around my waist, and hauled me up off the car and against him. Fitting my body tightly to his, he buried his face against my shoulder and dragged his nose along my throat. His lips following up to my jaw, and he sucked before lifting his head.

I stood immobile in his arms as his gaze raked over me. Then he breathed in again like he had in the woods, deep, letting his eyes drift shut for a moment, a rough sound vibrating through his chest. When they opened, the hunger in their depths made me quiver all over.

He licked his lips and his mouth curled up on one side. “Keep lying to yourself, if it makes you feel better, but your body sure as fuck doesn’t agree.” His fingers slid deeper into my hair and his lips were just a breath from mine. “Say yes.”

My gaze dipped to his mouth without my say-so. “You need to go.”

His jaw did that tightening thing it often did around me, then he released me as quickly as he’d grabbed me. He made a harsh, frustrated sound and walked away, swaggering back to his bike, and swung his leg over the seat. He was angry, it surrounded him like a red haze, his aura letting me know just how unhappy he was with me.

Then, firing the bike to life, he roared away without a backward glance.

I collapsed against the side of Iris’s car. Holy shit. How the hell was I going to survive this? After tonight, and what Edric did, there was no doubting we were stuck working together. But that kind of intensity was more than I knew how to deal with.

“That you, Wills?” Iris called.

“Yeah.” I rounded the corner and found my sister standing in the cobbled courtyard, Nia at her side as always, her big brown eyes alert, and Brody with them, looking more than a little disheveled.

My sister’s mouth dropped open when she got a look at me. “Are you okay? Pictures from the ball are all over Nightscape. There’s some of you and Warrick as well.”

Shit. “Edric showed up.”

Brody looked around wildly, as if he expected to see the giant hound walk out of the shadows.

I looked down at myself and guilt and sorrow hit when I took in the state of Gran’s utterly destroyed gown. “I’m okay, but let’s go inside, I have a lot to tell you,” I said.

“No shit,” Iris said, sounding just like Else. Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. Nia and Brody following.

* * *

Later the next morning, after repeating almost every detail of what happened last night to my family—omitting the bloody hand job and pretty much everything Warrick said or did—Iris dropped me off at my truck before she headed into work. And yes, thankfully, my purse had been at the hotel reception.

They’d all seen the pictures and read the gossip posted on Nightscape. I’d logged on this morning. There were pictures of Warrick, of him naked, of him shifting, a clip of me running after him into the woods. And that was all I needed. Sapphire Eldridge was probably humiliated by association and happy I’d turned her creep of a son down.

The only reason so few witches who had attended were out for blood was that “no one of consequence” was killed, just the help. Jesus.

And though I had a feeling I’d regret it, I’d just turned into Clayton Whitlock’s driveway, the house looming up ahead.

Though “house” was too paltry a word.

They may not be as powerful, magic-wise, as they wished they were, but their bank balance wasn’t lacking, that’s for sure.

Else and Mom had given me a little Whitlock history lesson before I left this morning. It turned out they’d had a string of bad luck in the past. Their cemetery had been all but destroyed during a flash flood, bodies washed away, never to be found again, setting them back centuries in the power stakes. And this house looked new because it was; the one before had burned down in a fire. Then Clayton’s father, Albert, had been killed in a car accident and his mother’s familiar had drowned in their pool this summer.

That was some seriously bad luck. It was almost like they were being punished for something.

I pulled the Morris to a stop out front of what only could only be described as a mansion, right as my phone beeped. I smiled when I saw Ren’s name.

We spoke several times a day, because not having him around the last few had been tough on both of us.

Ren:Warrick’s in a foul mood. What did you do to him?

Willow:Pass. How you doing?

Ren:Good. Feeling stronger.

Willow:How many new bruises?

Ren:I’m fine, Wills. Don’t worry about me. Is Warrick helping you like he promised? Or did you send him away? Is that why he’s pissed?

As if anyone could make Warrick do anything he didn’t want to.

Willow:No idea why he’s pissed. Everything’s fine, I promise.

I didn’t lie to Ren, but if I told him the truth now, if I told him what really happened between the alpha and me, Ren would walk right out of the clubhouse or worse, confront Warrick.

The front door opened, and Clayton walked out as my phone buzzed with another text from Ren. I put it on silent and shoved it in my back pocket to reply to later.

Clay smiled as he jogged down the stairs.

He was in tan trousers and a navy dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up, casual for him. He also looked extremely nervous. “Clayton,” I said as I opened my door.

“Willow.” He grabbed my hand. “I’m so glad you made it.”

Yep, he was nervous all right. His hands were clammy.

“Come in. Cook made us some morning tea.”

I took my hand back and followed him up the stairs and through a grand entrance, on feet that were completely healed from the night before, thanks to Warrick.

I shivered, remembering the way he brushed my skin with his fingers, then got pissed off with myself and shoved it out of my head.

The foyer Clay was leading me through was white marble and there were two statues, one of the mother’s pet serpent and the other, a woman looking into the distance, her hair blowing around her face.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” he said, watching me check out his home.

“Yes, lovely.” The click of heels had me turning. Olive Whitlock, Clayton’s mother, walked down a curved staircase, her shrewd amber gaze moving over me. Her lips pursed. Not a fan of leather pants then?

“The one of the mother’s serpent has been in our family for hundreds of years,” Olive said. “Our line has been taking part in the trials for a very long time.” She stopped in front of me. “This is your first attempt, yes?”

Apparently, the claws were out. “That’s right.”

She smiled, her gaze moving over me again from boots to hair before coming back to mine. “I hear you’re yet to complete your second task?”

“And where did you hear that?”

She lifted an elegant shoulder. “We talk. The more prominent families, I mean, we stick together. Come.” She strode off, expecting me to follow her like an obedient dog.

“You mean, you gossip,” I corrected, reluctantly trailing after her.

Clay winced a little, his expression apologetic.

Olive laughed, the sound was rusty, as if she didn’t find much to laugh at these days. Considering everything the family had been through in recent years, that didn’t surprise me. “I suppose you’re right.”

We entered another impressive room, but that was the point, wasn’t it? The Whitlocks wanted me to see how rich they were, how well connected. They either wanted to intimidate or impress me. I wasn’t quite sure which they were going for yet.

If they knew me at all, they’d know that wasn’t going to happen—on both fronts.

Olive sat, perching on the edge of her chair with all the regalness of the queen herself. Jesus, it even kind of looked like a throne. Clay sat on the love seat opposite and aimed that easygoing smile of his at me. I took the chair beside it, and the smile slipped before he rallied.

“So, what’s this about?” I didn’t owe them anything. They may be rich, but again, if they knew me, they’d know that didn’t mean anything to me. There was no coven hierarchy despite what families like this one had tried to create. As far as power went, I was stronger than both Clay and his mother put together, and they both knew it.

Olive leaned forward and motioned to a coffee pot and a plate of finger foods, ignoring my question. “Would you like something to eat or drink? The coffee is imported from Italy. It’s exquisite, you really should try it.”

“I’m fine, thank you. I actually have a busy day ahead so if we could cut to the chase.”

This pissed her off, and the false but brittle smile dropped in an instant. “How’s your sister…” She glanced at Clay, brow arched in question.

“Rose,” he said politely.

Everything inside me froze.

“Yes, Rose. I hear she’s unwell?” Olive said.

Clay turned to me. “Yes, people have been talking. They say you’ve been unsuccessful with treatment.”

My blade remained still, cool, at my side, no warning telling me there was imminent danger—I almost wished there was, because I had a strong and sudden urge to reach for it anyway. “My sister is none of your business.”

“Oh, of course not,” Clay said, flushing. “We were merely concerned. We were friends once, you and I, good friends.” He offered me a charming yet sympathetic smile, and I wondered if he spent time practicing it in the mirror. “I care about you and your family.”

I smiled back, and by the way his eyes widened slightly, I knew it looked as violent as I felt. Bringing up Roe felt a lot like a threat. “We haven’t spoken in years, Clayton. I honestly haven’t thought about you in all that time, and pretending that you care about me and my family is, quite frankly, horseshit.” I stood. “I don’t have time for whatever this is—”

“Wait,” Olive said. “Please, sit back down.”

I turned to her. “I’d rather not.”

She sighed. “Look, the only reason we brought up your sister is that we have the resources, access to incredibly rare relics and ingredients through our business, anything you need. Her illness is worsening, yes, and by all accounts, possibly derived from magic. We have the connections, people who could help you search, research, for the cure you need, anywhere in the world. We can afford the manpower that would take.” She crossed her legs. “We could help you, help Rose, immeasurably. Let us help you, Willow.”

Clayton stood, moving closer. “I’d like nothing more than to help your sister, Willow.”

My family was constantly searching for answers, and I had people searching in other parts of the world already. “I have it covered.”

“I’m sure you do, dear, but we could cast a much wider net.”

She was right, of course. My family’s funds, our resources, were limited. “And what is it you’d want in exchange for all this help? I assume your offer has a price, yes?” That was the real reason I was here after all. They wanted something from me.

Her gaze sharpened. “Of course. I knew you were intelligent.”

Condescending cow.“What do you want?”

Olive looked to Clayton and he quickly stepped forward. “We have a history. We were friends once…more than that. I messed up, but I was young, stupid, I hurt you…”

“Not as much as you think you did, I assure you.”

That easygoing smile returned. “Right, of course.”

“Spit it out, Clayton.” Though I had a feeling I knew what he was about to say.

“We…I’m proposing an alliance.”

Goddess, not again.“What kind of an alliance?”

He closed the space between us, took my hand, and looked deep into my eyes. “Marriage. You and me. Your power is impressive, Willow, and your family’s cemetery is coveted by every coven in America. But our power is not to be sneezed at either. I think we’re closely matched…” In your dreams. “…and our family has money, influence, connections. Our children would be formidable, unbeatable.”

I couldn’t believe this was happening again. “Well, aren’t I the popular one? That’s two marriage proposals in twenty-four hours.”

Olive shot to her feet and Clayton’s smile dropped completely. “You’re engaged?”

“No.”

They both released sighs of relief.

“I have no intention of marrying, not for any reason.”

Olive’s hands curled into fists. “How very selfish of you. This conviction of yours, you consider it more important than your sister’s life?”

“Mother,” Clay said, tone chastising, then he turned back to me. “Will you think about it, Willow? Despite the obvious reasons this alliance would be beneficial, I think we’d get along very well together. I’m not after a marriage of continence. I want a real marriage, a true partnership. We’d be good together.”

Was he serious? “As lovely as this has been, I’ll be leaving now.” I strode out, and Clayton’s quick steps followed me.

I jogged down the stairs and to my truck.

“Willow, wait.”

I pulled the door open.

“I’m sorry for that. We ambushed you. My mother and I, we both want this alliance, just for different reasons.”

A laugh burst from me, surprising us both. “If you’re about to tell me you’re in love with me…”

“No, of course not.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “But if an alliance is in my future, I’d rather it be with you.”

“Why would you do that? Christ, Clayton, a marriage of convenience, really?”

He shrugged and slid his hands in his pockets. “You’ve obviously heard about my family…our losses. I believe someone is out to get us, Willow. I care about this family, about the future of our coven. We need power and to increase our coven’s numbers.” His head tilted to the side. “I want to save my family, and I believe you can help me do that. I’ve always cared about you.” He flashed me one of those handsome grins. “You’re incredibly beautiful, even more so than when we were in high school. Being with you, sharing a bed with you, wouldn’t be a hardship. And I do believe love could grow between us if given the chance.”

I opened my mouth to tell him it would never happen, but he got in first.

“Don’t say no, not yet. Just think about it. The offer’s there if you change your mind. I know how much you love your sister. We could really help her, Wills.”

There were so many things I wanted to say. Instead I got in the Morris, slammed the door, and got the hell out of there before I punched him in the face or burned their fugly new mansion to the ground as well.

I’d find a way to help Rose, I would, and without selling my soul to the Whitlocks. And passing this task, winning my trial, increasing my family’s power, strengthening our magic, was the best way to accomplish that.

Something hot and tight, something that gripped like jagged claws, bit into my stomach.

Fear, real and raw.

I couldn’t lose my sister. I couldn’t lose my Roe.

I wouldn’t survive it.