Fall Into Darkness Read online

  “All ready. Let me help you.”

  She accepted. “This is getting old. I mean, if you’re really an angel, why can’t you simply heal me?” She hobbled over to the table and took a seat in the chair he’d pulled out for her.

  “I’m a hunter, not a healer,” he replied, taking the chair across from her.

  “Really? So how many different types of angels are there?” She lifted her spoon and took a sip of soup. “I would have thought you were all the same.”

  “The guardians are healers and watch over the new souls and help them acclimate. The warriors form our armies and fight evil. The reapers escort the damned to Hell and the elite take command over us.” He wrinkled his nose. “Then the Tribunal consists of seven females of the highest ranking who bring judgment down on those like myself.”

  “You seem to have a dislike for the Tribunal. Is it because they are women?”

  “No. All guardians and members of the Tribunal are mated females.” He picked up his sandwich. “I just question their judgment at times. They’re not out here in the world, and I don’t believe they always see everything that goes on. Besides, these are the same women who think I should leave you pregnant.”

  She set down her spoon. “Are you sure? Maybe you were just supposed to rescue me from the hound.”

  He thought about it for a moment. “I doubt it could be that easy. The Tribunal says I have no humanity because I see what humans do to themselves and don’t figure they deserve saving.”

  She wiped a napkin across her plump lips, and the memory of kissing her flashed through his mind. She tasted like honey, and he needed to sample her again while running his fingers through her hair.

  “Why do I find that hard to believe?”

  “Explain.” He found he enjoyed their conversation and hearing her silky voice. For some strange reason, it soothed him. Everything about her felt right. Touching her had brought him a calm he’d never known, but it had also spiked a desire so fierce he had to question everything he felt. He trusted nothing and no one.

  “If you really believed the human race shouldn’t be saved then you would have let me die.” She leaned forward. “My instinct tells me there is more to this.” She let her gaze fall to the food in front of her. “More to why you’re here. You’ve saved me in more ways than you know.”

  “Look at me.” He needed to see her green eyes like he needed to take his next breath.

  She obeyed.

  “Tell me what you mean and don’t look away from me.” His gut said he wouldn’t like her reply.

  She pulled in a deep breath. “I had planned to take my own life last night. That’s why I was outside.”

  His insides felt as if a knife had been shoved through him. “Why?”

  Tears welled at the corner of her eyes. “I’m tired of being a freak. Of being alone.” She blinked, and the wetness streaked down her cheek.

  He moved to the chair beside her and took her hand in his. “Why do you think you’re a freak?” He hated to see her cry, but when it came to a woman’s tears, he usually ran the other way and let someone else deal with it. However, this time he had no choice.

  “I moved out here to be alone because I can’t be around people any more,” she sobbed.

  He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “I look into peoples eyes, and I see their death. It started when I was seven and only happened a few times. Mostly with family, but as I got older, it became more frequent. Now it’s all the time.” She sniffed. “You’re the first person that I’ve been able to look at and actually appreciate the color of your eyes. Now, I know why.”

  “You truly see their death? I mean, do you know when it will happen?”

  She wiped her napkin across her tear stained cheek. “I don’t know their age, but I see them at the time so I have a good idea. It’s like watching a movie, and I just can’t take it anymore.” Her gaze pleaded with him. “Do you know why I’m a freak of nature?”

  Shit. He had no idea how to make her feel better. This was way outside his comfort zone. “I don’t know what to tell you. I…”

  The power flickered off and the only light came from the fire blazing in the other room. This wasn’t good. Being alone with her already created havoc with his desires. Add a raging storm with no power, and it spelled disaster.

  * * *

  Ashley stood using the table for support. It was time to make it on her own. He’d be leaving soon and just as well. She took a step toward the living room. Faltered. He moved beside her in a flash and helped steady her. His hands at her waist made her want to crawl into his arms and stay there. At least now, she understood why. Hadn’t she read stories about how humans could become attracted to angels? Their pureness hard to resist?

  “I need to do this on my own. If I had a cane, it would help. We’re going to need some more firewood to keep warm.”

  Before she could pull together a thought on how to get outside, she found herself pressed against his hard body. Strong arms wrapped around her and soft hot lips came into contact with hers.

  She opened for him, allowing him to slip his tongue into her mouth and wondered if he was trying to take away her pain again. However, this kiss tasted of passion and desperation. How do I know that?

  Their tongues dueled and her pulse pounded. She swore he wanted to consume her and then noticed his erection pressing into her belly. All her reservations about him and their situation melted into a desire so deep it hurt. This moment felt right in so many ways. Sure, her and Ben had sex when they were dating and it had been good, but never had her need made her feel as though she’d actually die if it weren't sated. Every fiber of her being, straight down to her soul. Told her this was her fate. He was her salvation and she his.

  As quickly as she heated up, he broke away.

  “I’m sorry. Shit,” his voice full of regret.

  It was the second time he’d kissed her, but now she could taste his desire, and it made her brazen. “I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m not sorry.” She wanted him to kiss her again. He awakened something inside her she thought long dead, so she placed her palms on his chest and enjoyed the firmness of his rigid muscles underneath. “Eli? Is it possible to sleep with me and not get me pregnant? Can we have sex just for the pleasure of it?” She watched his pupils dilate in the dim light and was surprised at herself for asking the question.

  “Ashley, this isn’t a good idea.” He tried to back away but she held fast.

  “Why? You want me no matter what you say, and I sure as hell want you. Besides, you’ll leave soon and I won’t ask for anything more.” Her intuition told her if they did this, somehow they’d be connected forever. How? She had no idea. “Do angels have sex only for pleasure?”

  “Yes, we do. But, how do you know I’m not feeding you a line of bullshit? I have nothing to prove I am who I say.”

  The thought had crossed her mind several times, but her gut kept telling her something different. “I don’t really, but as you said earlier, if you wished to hurt me you would have done so. Instead, you’ve taken care of me.” She ran her hands down his chest. “Even if you’re delusional about who you are, in the end you’ll still be leaving. Give me this one night to look into a man’s eyes while he makes love to me.”

  * * *

  Had he just heard right? She wanted him to have sex with her? His dick stood to attention and yelled, “Hell yes!” His mind, however, was a jumbled mess of reasons why this shouldn’t happen. Unable to think with her nibbling on his jaw, he said, “Sweetheart, I’m not sure you really want to do this.”

  She stopped mid-bite and met his gaze. “How can you know what I want?”

  “I’m bad news.”

  “You see things different than others,” she reasoned.

  “Exactly, and that’s part of the problem. Besides, you’re still hurting.” He dug for any excuse he could because his reserve was dwindling fast.

  “I won’t break.” She moistened her lips. �
��I need this.”

  Her eyes held passion like he’d never seen before. Son of a bitch! How could he say no? He scooped her into his arms and headed for the bedroom. He would have to remind himself to hold back, be gentle, and give her what she needed.

  He laid her on the bed, leaned over, and brushed kisses across her collarbone and up her neck. A gasp escaped her lips. He nipped her ear then suckled the lobe. He unzipped the fleece and pulled it open to expose her beautiful breasts. Pulling the garment free, he circled his tongue around her nipple.

  She moaned, “Eli.”

  His name rolled off her lips and her musky scent filled his nostrils. He’d never wanted to please a woman more than he did Ashley. He could hardly wait to see her body writhe beneath him and hear her screams of pleasure.

  He grabbed the waistband of her panties and sweat pants, and pulled them down her thighs, careful of her wound. “Tell me if I hurt you. Promise?”

  She made eye contact, her pupils dilated with desire. “Yes.”

  He tossed the clothing to the side then straightened and began to disrobe. She gazed at him and pulled her bottom lip through her teeth as he pushed his jeans to the floor and let his erection spring free.

  “You are perfect,” she whispered.

  His lips twitched. “I can say the same for you.” Perfect from her golden hair to her creamy skin and full rounded hips that a man could latch onto while thrusting into her.

  He joined her on the bed and laved his tongue across her breast. Sucking the nipple into his mouth, he gave it a gentle nip before releasing it. He kissed his way across her flat stomach and down her abdomen until he reached the sweet spot. His fingers swept through golden curls.

  She was moist, ready for him, and arched her hips up begging for more.

  He positioned himself between her parted legs and kissed the inside of her thigh. His tongue ran along her silky skin until it reached the edge of her sex. He moved to the other leg and gave the same attention to detail, ending with kisses around the edge of her apex.

  “God, you are such a tease.”

  He peered up over her belly. “You want me to taste you, sweetheart?”

  “Yes. Please.”

  Oh, he liked her begging and would be sure she did more of it. He parted her folds and swiped his tongue along her sex.

  She quivered.

  He continued his tongue dance until she ground against his mouth. Her breathing came in short gasps. He wanted to pull away, tease her to her first orgasm, but he couldn’t get enough of her honey taste.

  Her fingers dug into his scalp as she screamed her release.

  10

  Ashley’s skin tingled as though she’d received a light electrical shock followed by the most intense orgasm ever. Something strange happened to her, but the pleasure she experienced overrode any common sense. As she came down from the high, there was a desire so deep in her soul it hurt. She wanted Eli inside her, and if she had to wait a moment longer, she’d simply die.

  “Eli, I need you. Now.” She lifted her head to look down at him. The man was all kinds of sexy, staring back from between her thighs, with the darkest eyes she’d ever seen. He looked as if he could devour her.

  She shivered.

  He peppered kisses up her belly, leaving a trail of heat, and she swore her need would never be sated. When he reached her lips, he kissed her, savoring every inch of her mouth. He tasted of desperation. Before she could express her agony at not having him inside of her, the tip of his cock penetrated her sheath.

  She moaned into his mouth and raked her nails down his back, clutching his ass, determined to have him seated deep inside her. He would have none of it, though. With the restraint of a monk, he slid in. Inch, by oh so wonderful inch, until she wanted to scream. She would not have been surprised if she drew blood; her nails now dug deep into his flesh.

  He broke the kiss. “Damn, you feel like heaven.”

  “I need all of you,” she cried out.

  “Ah, patience, sweetheart. I want to savor you.” He pushed his shaft the rest of the way until his balls touched her ass. “So hot and tight.”

  She wiggled. The sensation of being stretched and filled to the limit had never felt so good. So perfect. She cupped his face and tried to pull him closer.

  “Careful, I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I feel no pain.” It was true. Somehow, every ache had vanished completely after her orgasm. “Kiss me.”

  Eli did as she asked. He brought his lips to hers and speared her mouth with his tongue. He fisted her hair and began to pump. Slow and sensual. As his kiss grew more frantic, his thrusts became more aggressive until he pounded harder. Her core grew hot until she thought she might combust. Pleasure hung just out of reach and kept her on the edge.

  Her pulse pounded at her clitoris and threatened to shatter her world. Then it happened. A riptide grabbed her and pulled her into a sea of sheer bliss. She screamed into his kiss and he swallowed it, but before she could come back to reality, he pulled away. With one hard thrust, he roared with his own release, taking her with him on a roller coaster ride of ecstasy.

  He held himself over her while they both tried to catch their breath. Never had she felt more alive and as she gazed at her lover, her heart wrenched. A hazy light surrounded him that she’d never noticed before. It had to be his aura and her gut said the rim of black that bordered the bright white was all wrong. Darkness was overtaking him.

  * * *

  Eli braced himself over Ashley and watched her aura change color. Going from deep red to pink. No fucking way! Then, he felt her soul brush against his and it scared the shit out of him. Something was off, but his concern for her overrode everything else.

  “Are you okay?”

  Her smile went wide. “Perfect. Never better in my life. Odd though, my wound stopped hurting completely. I guess you took my mind off it.”

  He lifted himself and looked at her chest. “What the hell?” He untangled himself from her limbs and pulled free, pushing himself down her slender legs.

  “What?” She looked at herself. “Holy shit, my bruises are gone.” Here eyes widened. “My leg! Oh my god, you healed me. I thought you said you couldn’t do that?”

  He felt the sweat bead on his forehead. It made sense now. Her aura, the brush of her soul against his. He remembered the shower and the hint of a tattoo on her backside. He swallowed. “Ashley, listen carefully. I want you to roll over for me.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “What for? Something’s wrong, what is it?”

  He pushed aside panic. “I will tell you in a moment. Please, roll over.”

  She gave him a hesitant look but complied and flipped to her stomach. He nearly blanched. There it was, her birthmark.

  He stared at the outline of feathers. “How long have you had the mark on your hip?”

  She flipped over. “Is that what this is about?” She sat up. “For as long as I can remember. Why?”

  “You’re not a freak.” He climbed off the bed and grabbed his jeans. “Get dressed. We need to talk.”

  While he pulled his shirt over his head, she grabbed her clothes and followed suit. Fuck, what was he going to tell her? He’d just unknowingly bound them together.

  He exited the bedroom with her on his heels. Once they reached the living room, she curled up on the couch in front of the fire. He walked over and tossed on another log.

  “You’re marked as an angel’s mate.”

  She stared at him; her green eyes darkened. “So what does that mean exactly?”

  He let out a short laugh. “It means your father is an angel. Your mother never told you? She should have prepared you for this.”

  “My mother died in childbirth.” She cast her gaze downward. “My aunt and uncle raised me.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “So what are you saying? I’m half angel?”

  “Precisely, and the only kind who can become an eternal mate to an archangel.” This explained his attraction to her, but it didn’t an
swer the question as to why he was here. Expecting him to procreate was more along what the Seven would have up their sleeve. To give him an eternal mate? Not something they would offer the damned.

  * * *

  Ashley had a hard time processing the information she’d just received. “So I’m only half a freak then.”

  Eli gave her a sympathetic look. “You’re not a freak in the least and had your mother survived, you would have been raised much differently. Mates are a treasure, something we hold very dear.”

  “So my mother knew what my father was then?” She had the urge to hit something. Instead, she grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it to her chest. “Maybe he should have tried being a real father and spared me from growing up thinking there was something wrong with me.” Damn it, tears threatened to spill again.

  “We’re not allowed to interfere once the child is conceived.” He sighed. “It’s a rather barbaric system and why I have chosen to never father a child. I despise the thought of leaving my daughter alone.”

  “What am I supposed to do now that I know what I am?” God, she felt like an emotional wreck. If she thought life was complicated before, she had been dead wrong.

  “If I’m allowed back, I will tell them you’re here. I’m not sure what they will do, but you will be taken care of until you find your mate.”

  “My mate? You make it sound like they assign me a man.” She scoffed. “You really need to change with the times.”

  “That’s not how it goes, but yes, things need to change and there are those who are fighting to do so. It’s a slow process.” He paced the floor.

  “Why do I feel like there’s more?”

  He stopped in front of her. “I just bound us together.”

  She rubbed her temples. “What does that mean?”