Twilight War (11 page)

Before he could
blink, she flipped open a metal lighter and lit the daggers then
drove one straight into his chest. He gasped, wide-eyed and stared
back at her in utter shock but didn’t make a move to stop her,
which impressed her.

“Will he or
won’t he?” She raised the second dagger and plunged it into his
heart. Fire raced up the blades toward her hands yet she held
steady.

Once the
initial shock subsided, Von placed a hand on each blade and slid
them from his chest. Flame watched in amazement as the open wounds
closed instantly.

“You didn’t try
to stop me.” She smirked. “Good thing you were telling the
truth.”

He gave her a
spirited wink. “A very good thing.”

“Now I know
that you and Ian are not trying to trick me again.”

“I told you,
this house is protected by innocent blood. We cannot lie in sacred
places.”

“Good because
next I am going to bind your blood to mine in a rare ritual. If you
tell anyone what I reveal to you, the wounds will bleed and I’ll
know that you’ve broken my confidence.” She gave him a hard stare.
“And I’ll become your worst enemy.”

“I can keep a
secret and to be perfectly honest, sharing a blood-bond with you
makes me want you all the more. Can you handle that?”

His candor took
her by surprise yet she managed to maintain a cool exterior. “I’ll
try.” She found a candle on the bedside table and lit it. “Give me
your left hand. It’s closest to the heart.” He offered his hand and
allowed her to cut a deep slice into the palm. She dragged the
point of her dagger across her left palm then pressed her palm to
his. While holding their joined hands together over the flickering
candle, she bowed her head and recited an ancient prayer. Their
combined blood dripped into the flame, making it spark higher and
crackle for a couple seconds. When the flame diminished, she
separated their hands and held her bleeding palm to his lips.
“Drink.”

He bared her
soul with those intense eyes while sucking the blood from her
wound. She pulled his hand to her mouth and did the same. They kept
eye contact and swallowed each other’s blood. He reached over with
one hand and petted her hair. She couldn’t deny the arousal burning
inside as his gaze swallowed the distance between them. A powerful
exchange of unspoken emotion surged between them—a feeling that
could not be denied. His blood tasted heady, sending a fleeting
rush of euphoria over her. Several minutes later the wounds closed,
indicating the ritual was a success.

“I can now
reveal what the Twilight Master overlooked when he used Cassie and
her baby to bring you back.”

“You’ve
acquired significant allies to have obtained that information,” he
said. “And you have more talents than anyone knew about.”

“I am more
powerful than anyone realizes.” She eased her hand from his. “I am
learning to tap into my gifts.”

He stared at
her in a way that made her stomach flutter. This was the first time
she’d done the sacred blood-bond and the effects felt quite
euphoric. Never did she expect this ritual to be performed with
him, but their unique dilemma required a deeper touch—a link that
could not be broken. She stared back at him and felt as hot as the
look in his eyes.

“If you had won
our first battle, we’d both be lost. For some reason your master
decided to give you another chance. In doing so, he used a mortal
body to restore you. As a result, your humanity is now within
reach.”

“I begged him
to let me come back. I wanted another chance with you.” He slanted
her a look of pure desire. “There’s the answer you were fishing
for. Since the moment we met, you’ve consumed me. Cassie pleaded
with me on the beach to take her as a life mate but I only wanted
you. She got what she wanted—immortality. Still, she wasn’t
prepared for you.”

She stepped
back, shell-shocked. His open profession had come forth
unexpectedly. “Wow,” she muttered.

“And how will I
know when I’m free?”

“When your
human nature is greater than your need to survive, then I can pull
you over and together we can destroy the Twilight Master.”

“What if I
don’t want to become human again?”

“You will
always be immortal. We can’t change
what is
. However, we
can
change the future and keep the evil side at bay.” She
searched his eyes. “You’ve been void of feeling and the ability to
feel for a long while. This may take time.”

“We could just
do it the easy way. Make love to me and break my curse then I’ll be
able to feel again.”

“Not until
you’ve earned my trust. If I gave in to you now, we’d both belong
to Twilight and be cursed forever. My way is better.”

He arched
quizzical brows. “You just admitted that we’ll make love when I’ve
earned your trust.”

“I meant
if
.” She looked away to hide the blush creeping onto her
cheeks. “You have a long way to go before that happens.”

Long slender
fingers lifted her chin until their eyes met again. “I understand
that you’re grieving right now. But if Raef trusts me, maybe you
will, too.”

Without
thinking, she placed a hand over the sapphire. “We shall see.” His
touch stirred her more than she wanted to admit. “Raef loved me,
truly loved me. At this point, I am not sure what you are capable
of.”

He framed her
face with both hands and gazed at her in a way that refused to let
go. “Then teach me how to love again. If any woman has the power to
find my heart, that woman is you.”

She found it
difficult to speak under his potent allure yet managed a few words.
“Love begins with trust…not sex.”

His voice
remained soft and soothing. “I will earn your trust and you will
teach me love. And while you’re working on the search for my
heart…I’ll work on healing the sorrow in yours.”

“I believe your
heart is in there somewhere. Erasing half a century of scars will
be the hard part.”

“If anyone can
do it, you can. I’ve never met anyone with more determination. I’ve
never believed in much, but I do believe in you. Don’t give up on
me, Flame. I want to be the one who heals your pain. I’m not the
only one feeling empty and cold inside.”

“This is going
to get complicated, isn’t it?” Tears misted her eyes. “History
can’t repeat itself this time.”

He lowered his
head ever so slowly, never breaking eye contact. His lips brushed
hers in a feathery touch. “Then let’s undo history.”

Chapter
Seven

Flame rubbed
her eyes and swept mussed hair from her face. Sunshine flooded the
master bedroom. She reached to her side, expecting to feel a warm
body then reality came crashing in. Raef was still gone.
How
long have I been asleep?

She groaned and
flopped over. “I must’ve been dreaming,” she muttered, then pulled
the blanket over her head to block out the bright light. The last
thing she recalled was Von leaving, after placing a feathery kiss
on her lips.
Did I really let him kiss me?
She rolled onto
her stomach with a sigh. The recollection of Ian forced its way
into her mind.
Oh, not him, too. What’s wrong with me?

Frustrated, she
tumbled out of bed and staggered into the bathroom. To her
surprise, the mirror was shattered.
Ian really was here.
She
tiptoed around broken glass to splash water on her face. Glancing
in what was left of the mirror, she gasped. A gold chain hung
around her neck and dangling above her breasts was the stunning
sapphire. She placed a hand on her head, struggling to recall
everything that transpired. Von’s touch lingered on her skin.
I
must have fallen asleep after he left.

Back in the
bedroom, she peeked into the trashcan. The broken tumbler was still
in there. She whipped around to see the top drawer of Raef’s
dresser still open and the little blue velvet box perched on top.
In the next moment, the image of a disturbing mist deluged her
mind, tormenting her.
No!
She panted for breath, desperately
trying to remember everything.
Did that evil thing mate with
me?
She focused hard then breathed a sigh of relief, yet her
body shook.
He could have if he’d chosen to do so.
The
realization was nothing less than horrifying. That an eerie mist
possessed such astounding persuasion terrified her.

She pulled on a
pair of jeans and a tank top, then padded down the stairs.
Everything felt surreal yet she knew it happened. The evidence was
clear. While sitting at the kitchen table trying to organize her
thoughts, the doorbell rang. She wondered if Von had returned and
subconsciously glanced at her palm where a scar remained.
The
ritual, the blood-bond, we did that.
She shook her head and
went to the front door.

Secretly she
stole a peek to see who had shown up this time.
Shit.
She
let out a heavy sigh and pressed her back against the door.
This
place is Grand
Central Station for everyone I don’t want
to
see.
She peered out the side window to see Hatch
waiting on the porch.
Is everyone from my past going to swarm in
here on one day?
She decided to wait in silence, hoping he’d
leave when nobody answered the door. No such luck.

“Flame, I know
you’re in there. Your Harley is parked right out front,” Hatch said
from the other side of the door.

Flame groaned.
“I’m not in the mood for you today.”

Silence.

Then a few
minutes later. “I’m sorry about, Raef, love. I know we had our
differences but I never wanted him dead.”

“He wouldn’t
want you in here so just leave.”

“At least come
out and talk to me,” he pleaded. “I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t be.”

“C’mon, babe,
just open the door.”

With a
frustrated growl, she cracked the door open a few inches and peeked
out. “See? I’m fine. Now leave.”

“I came by to
tell you that Raef’s body has been cremated. He left his will with
a trustee and they have begun the process of settling his
estate.”

“Cremated?” She
squeezed out the door then closed it behind her. “No funeral?”

Hatch seemed
almost compassionate, she couldn’t tell for sure.

“I’m sorry,
babe, we all liked him despite our differences. He had his affairs
in order because he had no close relatives. He truly embraced your
sisterhood nation,” Hatch told her with a soft expression. “Eighty
percent of his wealth has been designated to you.”

“You saw his
will?” Tears slid down her cheeks. Raef’s generosity touched her
deeply.
He truly had loved and trusted me, even without knowing
everything about me.
She looked down as her body shook with
sobs.

Hatch waited
for her to compose herself before speaking again. “The band’s
attorney gathered with us this morning and read it. Nobody could
get a hold of you.”

“What about the
investigation of his death?” She placed a hand on her forehead,
utterly distraught. “Why haven’t the police been here?”

“The coroner
ruled it an accidental overdose.”

“What? That’s
insane! I saw Cooper stab him! I’m the one who called for help! Why
hasn’t anyone done anything?” She slammed both hands against his
chest, knocking him back. “Does Coop have everyone under his
control?”

“Flame, calm
down.” He reached for her. “You’re in shock. You’re delusional.
Coop would never kill one of his pack members. The man has been an
esteemed leader for years.”

“I saw
him!”

With a slow
shake of his head, Hatch gazed at her with sad eyes. “Baby, baby,
you need help. Your encounter with the Satellite has taken its
toll. I watched Ian go through the same thing until it eventually
drove him mad. Please don’t let that prick get you, too.”

“I want to see
Raef’s body,” she demanded, glaring at him. “I’ll show you the stab
wounds.”

“There is no
body. I told you.” He took her hands in his. “Paramedics were
called here and they tried to revive him but it was too late.”

“Who told you
that?”

“Coop phoned me
just before my plane landed. Good thing I decided to fly back to
LA. You really need someone to lean on right now. I can see that
you’re not well.”

“But the
surgeon…the ambulance…the blood, I saw it all.” Her eyes burned,
staring at his hands holding hers. Her heart raced. She couldn’t
stop shaking. “Coop is lying and somehow he managed to cover up his
dirty deed and fool everyone in the process. What did he do? Pay
everyone off to keep them quiet?”

“I’ve known him
a long time, babe, and I just can’t see him going to those
extremes, let alone killing a friend. He was too upset over losing
Ian. He’d never kill Raef.” Hatch gave her a consoling look. “Make
no mistake, I’m not Cooper O’Toole’s biggest fan with all this
Satellite bullshit, but he’s not a killer.”

“I know what I
saw.” She jerked her hands back. “He has you fooled.”

“Is there
something you want to tell me? Something I don’t know about
Coop?”

Her head shot
up. She studied his face. “No…I guess not.”

“I’m staying at
a nice hotel not far from here. Why don’t you pack your bags and
come with me. I heard the Satellite managed a return of sorts,
which is why I came back to get you out of harm’s way and end this
madness.” He paused and furrowed his brows. “Ya know, babe, if that
evil creature found a way to come back from the dead, he could have
a lot more power…even enough to deceive the mind and make someone
see something differently. Maybe this fiend made you see what he
wanted you to see. He could’ve used Raef’s death to trick you.
Wasn’t it Ian who said the Satellite has those types of
capabilities?”

“Yes…he did.”
An eerie feeling crawled through her.
Could it be possible?
Could the new improved Satellite take on the appearance of someone
else to commit a crime? No, surely Von and Ian hadn’t used Raef
this way. They had to be telling the truth. After all, I stabbed
Von and he didn’t die. Everything they said makes sense.
Still,
a sliver of doubt had crept into her troubled mind.
Who really
is who?
She just didn’t know anymore.