Page 19 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)
NINETEEN
Creed
M y pulse thunders in my ears as I stare at the blood dripping down Meyer’s neck, the wound on her pale skin several inches long, covering the majority of the thin column of her throat. My head spins, the burning fear and pain I feel coming from her mate bond pulsing through me, urging me toward her. My mind focused on one thing.
My mate.
Need to keep her safe. Need to protect her.
When I woke in Victor's office moments ago, it was to find Nox, Victor, and Raz slumped in their chairs, sound asleep and not responding. I had begun to panic when I felt it, the feeling inching through my body and striking me directly in the heart.
Meyer’s fear.
It raced through me, lighting every nerve-ending on fire as I sprinted from the room and toward the feeling. The panic tugging in my chest guided me toward the dining hall rather than the Ranger Barracks, where I knew she had gone with Valen earlier that evening. But nothing had prepared me for the sight I was greeted with when I raced through those doors.
My hands grip the hilts of my swords as anger, betrayal, and pain race through me. My brother, the man who I grieved and blamed myself for his death, the man who I would have done anything to bring back, stands in front of me, flames alight on his fingertips, a sneer on his lips, and red eyes glinting with manic glee as his gaze moves from Father to me.
Fire glints off every surface of the dining hall; shattered glass and stone dust the floor, leaving the room looking like more of a war zone than anything else. My eyes zero in on my mate's lips, the way they say my name, her wide, scared eyes reflecting as she shakes her head. Her chest rises and falls as she breathes, her hands trembling, covered in blood and dirt. I can feel the familiar welcome of outrage wrap around me as my fangs lengthen, my claws sharpening while the need for blood settles in my very soul.
My mind moves, taking in the distance between me and the current threat to my family and mate. I calculate the best form of attack and where to land the blows to deliver a fast and fatal end, then move, my blades twisting, body bending, evading the first strike of fire, then the second gust of magic.
Being raised as the only son of Orcus Darakh who didn't possess an absurd amount of magic, not only encouraged me to be the best damn soldier and fighter our kingdom had but an expert at defending myself against magical threats. I quickly learned that strong magic users, such as Royal Demons, Witches, and other creatures with grand power, tend to rely on their magic as their only form of defense and lack the basic hand-to-hand skills needed in common warfare. Meaning that all I have to do is get close enough to a person in order to win, no matter how strong or powerful they deem themselves to be.
I hear Meyer scream something and stupidly take a step forward, making me only move faster, determined to eradicate all threats before she can do something ridiculous, like come to my aid.
“Creed!”
Another shout, this one from my father, as Archer snarls and brings his hands in front of him, realizing this fight is about to become far more threatening to his person than he’s comfortable with. A wall of fire slams forward, and I curse, spinning my weapons as fast as I can in front of me, making the flames hit, but not with the impact that Archer was hoping for, and I grin, ignoring the fresh burns on my arms as I get close enough for my attack.
“Creed, wait!”
Normally, the throat and chest are the areas I would attack first, but having fought with Arch for over a century has given me the knowledge I need to know where to strike. Jumping as he growls and releases another wave of black and red magic my way, I spin overhead, bringing my swords down with a roar of anger. Archer twists, moving in a way I’ve never seen him do before so only my right blade strikes his shoulder.
“Heldakar! Stop!” Father bellows, dominance thick in his command that makes me grind my teeth. The instinct to submit to my king, but the primal rage to keep my mate safe keeping me on my feet, blades raised as I spin, turning as Archer’s eyes widen, the spark of fear in them sending a wicked thrill through me at the same time as overwhelming pain crushes my chest. Deep down, I know this will hurt. That the guilt of Archer's death I’ve carried for over a year will return, this time with such force I don't know how I’ll manage. But I can't allow him to hurt my mate. No person, human or Demon, is allowed to look at her wrong if I have any say about it, and if they dare lay a finger on her, then they deserve what I’ll do to them.
If I have to choose between him… my brother, or my mate…. it will be her.
It will always be her.
My sword hit its mark, lodging deep into Archer's thigh as I duck and spin, dropping to my knee as a clawed hand lashes out, aiming for the side of my throat. More shouts erupt around us as Archer stumbles back, my other sword lashing against the back of his ankle, making him scream and fall to the ground, bringing him down to my level as I shake my head in disappointment.
“You should have never touched her,” I rasp out in apology, moving to bring my blade down on his chest when magic strikes me, and I snarl as I’m wrenched back enough that Archer has room to get back on his knees. I glare over at my father, recognizing his magic as he yells something that I ignore, his arms wrapped around a furious and feral-looking Meyer, trying to keep her from the fight.
I don't have time to react to Archer's attack as he jumps on me, fire and something heavy trying to pin me to the ground. Another strike of magic hits, tossing Archer back, and I grind my molars in frustration at my father’s attempts to stop us from killing each other. If it were Mom in Meyer’s place, Archer's head would be rolling on the ground by this point!
I lunge for my brother, hands wrapping around his neck as I bring his head up, then slam it against the floor with all my strength. A sound the likes I’ve never produced before erupts from me as I roar at him, my control completely snapping as I let the bloodlust roll over me. I repeatedly bring Archer's head down, watching as dark blood pools around him, and his eyes lighten, the red fading from his glowing eyes as they turn…green?
What the actual fuck?
“Creed, no! That’s not Arch, It’s Jes!” Meyer’s words penetrate the haze of red clouding my vision as a strong hand grabs me by the scruff of the neck and, suddenly, I’m being tossed through the air. My breath heaves from my lungs as I slam to the ground and roll, the hit jarring my head, my teeth snapping shut with the impact. Pain lights up my body as I growl in frustration, and the need to hurt the man who injured my mate still riding me hard.
“Dammit!”
Groaning, I whip my hands out, clawing at the stone floor and slowing myself just as a small body flies onto mine, arms banding around my throat, and furious green eyes glaring at me as a stream of curse words erupt from my girl's perfect lips. I blink up at her in surprise, then look behind us where Father has his hand pressed to Archer's head, muttering something as magic heals the damage I’ve caused, and black bands appear, snapping around his wrists and ankles. I can feel the magic suppressing Archer’s from here and shiver in response, cringing as Meyer continues to yell at me, her finger shaking in a way I’m used to seeing from Mom when I’m in trouble.
“Are you even listening to me? Dammit, Creed. You’re bleeding! Shit, shit, shit. We need to get Nox. You’re hurt!”
I shake my head a little, trying to clear the haze in my mind as Meyer’s warm, citrus scent wraps around me, settling the almost painful need for blood and revenge, soothing it like a damn kitten, and making my entire body relax in seconds.
“Creed!”
“Fuck, woman. Stop yelling,” I complain, rubbing at my temples and batting my eyelashes at her, trying to get her to smile, wanting to smooth out those worry lines on her forehead. I wince when she simply sits up, knees on either side of my stomach, arms crossed over her chest, and a dark look that I swear she picked up from Nox on her beautiful face.
Shit. I might be in a little bit of trouble.
“Did you just call me woman?” she clips out, and I chuckle nervously. Okay, so more than a little bit of trouble. By the glare I’m currently getting, I may need to duck and cover. I nervously look down, wondering if I can protect my balls before she goes kamikaze on them, but that would involve her moving, and there is no way in hell I’m allowing her even an inch from me for the next few days.
“I did. But it was a joke. You know I wouldn't… fuck. Shit, okay, let me backtrack here,” I start to panic as Meyer's eyes flicker with red magic.
“Please do,” Meyer grits out, waving a hand at me as if she wants me to keep talking. Dad cursing and magic exploding behind us makes my body tense, and my arms dart out, grabbing my girl and rolling us so that she’s pinned under me and safe from whatever threat is there.
Meyer and I look up as Archer’s eyes, which had been previously closed, are now open, and magic is warring against Father's spells to keep him bound. Orcus falls back as he defends himself, and Meyer gasps, trying to wiggle out from under me as a small, thin girl slides across the floor and strikes Archer in the temple so hard I can hear the blow from across the room.
Archer’s body slumps and Father huffs out a breath of relief as he sits up from where he was fighting the magic. I stare at the girl as she spins a large, sharp Kalis blade in her hand and sheaths it in the thigh holder strapped to her leg before she smiles at Meyer and thumbs over her shoulder to the dark castle beyond the dining hall doors.
“Uh, everyone is asleep, and I can't wake them up,” she explains as the three of us stare at her in shock. Meyer shoves at my chest, pushing me off her as the young girl looks up at us with wide brown eyes. Eyes that pain me to look upon, ones that I wish were still here with my friend I had grown to love and trust over the last year.
“Cali! What the hell are you doing? You could have been hurt!” My girl crawls to her feet and rushes toward Elaine’s daughter, falling to her knees beside her and tugging her back from Archer’s unconscious body. “Theo and Jordan are going to kick my ass if they see you here,” she grumbles, glaring at Cali, then an unconscious Archer, before standing and yanking the young girl to her feet as if deciding my brother is too big a threat to be close to even if he’s been knocked out.
I rush to follow her, standing between the girls and glaring at my Father, who sighs and runs a taloned hand over his face. Even in his imposing Demon form, I can see how tired he is and how this fight affected him. To be honest, I’m feeling like a ball of warmed-up shit myself.
“Oh my God! Your throat!” Cali whispers, a hand flying to her mouth in shock as she stares at my battered girl. “Shit, we have to get that patched up before Theo or Jordan see you. They’ll lose their fucking minds!” Meyer grimaces, her hand moving to her bloody throat, and I snap my hand out, grabbing her fingers before they can touch the wound. Her hands are covered in dirt and grime, and there is no way in hell I’m letting her touch the injury and risk her health. No, I need to get her to Nox, and he can heal her. Plus, he’ll yell at her for putting herself in harm's way, so I don't have to be the bad guy.
Win-win!
I’m guessing me scolding her over a fight won't go well and will sound somewhat hypocritical since I was pounding my brother's head into the floor moments ago. And seeing as I’m not the kind of guy to smother Meyer, I’ve seen what her knee can do to a man's balls when one is stupid enough to attempt it; I’ll hold my tongue, no matter how much it kills me to do so.“Uh, did you know you’re bleeding?” Cali asks, her doe eyes looking at my side with concern. Frowning, I press my hand to my left side and hiss a sharp breath from my teeth when searing pain lights up my side. Looking down, I can see the fabric of my shirt torn to shreds and the long gashes Archer left there.
Damn, I didn't even realize he got a hit in.
“I did not. But I’ll heal by morning,” I reassure her. Meyer fumes at me, yanking her hand from mine and placing it on her hips, her glare resting firmly on my wounded side. “Don't even get me started. I can heal myself. You have a five-inch gash over your throat and bruises all over your face and arms! I’m not sure what happened, but I know you enough to understand that you probably put yourself in harm's way to save the damn castle on your own and then help my father!” I point over at my father, who purses his lips and nods in agreement, only making my anger at her grow.
Meyer’s mouth drops open in shock at my anger, and I scowl at her, crossing my arms over my chest. “You do realize if something happens to you, I’ll die. Not literally,” I quickly add when her face drains of all color. “But there will be no reason for my existence, Lemon Drop. You are it. For me, for Valen, Nox… well, he’ll take out the human world, then the Demon one before he finally follows you to the grave, and I don't even want to consider what Razar will do. You have to take better care of yourself.”
“It’s not like I chose for Jesthren to attack me,” she whisper-yells back. Yeah, okay, I’m being a dick, but I can’t shake the absolute terror that coursed through me, seeing Meyer in the middle of the room, Arch on one side, my father in full Demon form on the other. Her scared and hurt and… wait. Did she just say Jesthren? I frown down at Archer and look at my father, who stares at him like a wounded puppy.
“Jesthren?” I question, vaguely recalling Meyer’s shouted warning that it was Jes and not Arch who was attacking me. Father doesn't meet my eyes, only nods as he studies my brother, and I instantly feel sick. I groan and lean forward, resting my hands on my knees as my head spins. “It’s Jes? He’s what… controlling him?” I rasp as Meyer’s small hand falls on my shoulder, rubbing in soft circles.
“It would seem that way. I wouldn’t have realized it unless Meyer had told me. I had planned on killing him,” Father says, looking as sick as I feel.
“I almost did kill him,” I whisper more to myself than anyone else. A vision of Mara and my new niece Maya float through my mind of me having to tell them that Arch was innocent and I had killed him in a fit of rage. Bile rushes up my throat, and I groan, slamming my eyes closed as I fight it down. “Please tell me I didn't cause permanent damage,” I beg, sweat dotting my brow as the sound that Archer's head made when I slammed it against the floor repeats over and over in my mind.
“He’s okay. Well, not okay. Jes is in there; I can feel his magic wound tight around Archer. Like a cage he’s trapped in. I only hope we can remove Jesthren’s magic without killing your brother. No matter what, we need to lock Archer up until we are sure he’s no longer under Jesthren’s control. He’s a danger to everyone in this castle at the moment.” I nod and swallow again, trying to take a deep breath so I’m not sick all over the dining hall floors. This room is a disaster already. I don't need to add to it.
Sounds from outside the dining hall signal that people are waking up, and I stand, grabbing Meyer and tugging her to my chest, a growl inching past my lips when she looks up at me with devastation written on her face. I know she wants to help, that she can sense my pain and guilt through the mate bond, even if she doesn't realize it. But I need to get her to Nox. I need her to be fully healed and not bleeding so I can attempt to calm myself down.
“Oh, that's a good sign, right?” Cali asks, looking out the doors as soft, gold light flickers from beyond them.
“Yes,” I grumble, scooping Meyer up and encouraging her to wrap her arms and legs around me. Once I have her safe against me, I reach out and tug Cali under my free arm before looking at my father. “I’m going to bring the girls to Nox. Can you handle him alone for a moment? I’ll send Raz?—”
“No!” Father snarls, looking even more pained. “Get Valen. I refuse to make your brother deal with this or see him until I can give him an answer. Send Valen.” I nod as Meyer tenses.
“Holy shit! Valen! Creed, Valen is in the Ranger Barracks and won't wake up. We need to check on him,” she says so fast I almost don't understand her.
“No one was waking up. But it looks like that problem might be fixed,” Cali reassures as footsteps thunder through the castle and a half-dressed and haggard-looking Valen appears at the double doors. His pants are on backward, and his blond hair stands on end, looking as if lightning struck him. Dark circles rest under his eyes, and I wince in sympathy for the poor guy. He looks like he’s the one who just fought off Jesthren, not me.
“You missed the party,” I grumble, keeping my arm wrapped around Meyer as Valen’s eyes move from green to black so fast it scares the absolute shit out of me.
“Mi Sol!?”
“I’m fine,” she says, hand outstretched, relief in her eyes as he runs to us.
“Fuck, she’s… there’s blood. Creed, there is blood!” Valen’s cold voice whips through the air, magic accompanying it and making me shiver in response.
Shit, he can be so fucking scary when he wants to be.
Meyer frowns and reaches out, her hand cupping his jaw. She leans toward him, pressing her forehead to his. In an instant, Valen calms down, eyes shutting as Meyer whispers something I can't understand, which makes me frown because that shouldn't be possible. I’m a Demon with damn good hearing, and my girl is in my arms. My brother must be using some of his magic to keep their conversation private.
Valen nods and releases a deep breath, pulling back enough to press a kiss to her lips and release her. “You’re okay?” she asks, letting her hand fall from Valen's cheeks and making me gasp in surprise when her black eyes move from him to me.
Oh. Holy. Shit!
“What the hell? When did you get a Shade form, Lemon Drop?” I try to ask calmly, but it comes out all squeaky.. Meyer grins up at me as Valen runs a hand through her hair once more before turning so he can help our father. Her eyes are still a freaky pitch-black color, and I don't know if I’m turned on by her obvious Demon form or slightly freaked out.
“It’s new. I also have fangs,” she says proudly, and I blink at her in surprise.
“No shit? Where?” I ask, releasing Cali so I can poke at Meyer’s lips. “I wanna see!”
“They aren’t there anymore. It's like my claws. They only appear when… uh, well, you know,” she trails off, looking at Cali and Father, her cheeks pink with the cutest blush as I grin.
“Hmm.” I nod and lean down, pressing my lips to her ear and thrilling when I feel her shiver in my arms. “Are you saying I need to make you cum to see these new developments, Lemon Drop? Because I’m very much up for the challenge if that's the case.”
Meyer moans lightly, her hips wiggling in my hands as I squeeze her ass.
“Eww, you guys are as gross as Theo and Jordan,” Cali complains, and I laugh, looking down at Theo’s spunky twin sister. She looks so much like Elaine that it both hurts and somehow soothes the pain her death has left behind.
“Sorry. I’ll try to control myself. Mentally brace yourself because there will be anarchy once Nox sees Meyer.”
“Yeah, that sounds like hell on a cracker. I’ll just go find Theo,” Cali says, trying to slip away, but I hold onto her shoulders and laugh.
“Nope. You get to tell Victor what happened and that you were that close to Jesthren…” I pause as I wrinkle my nose. “Or would it be Arch?” I ask, trying to figure out who to say when it’s Jes controlling Arch. Fuck, this is going to get confusing. “I already have to deal with one hothead; Victor is all yours.” Cali groans but nods as she lets me pull her from the dining hall.
“Wait, back up. Are you saying you’ve seen Theo and Jordan kiss? Because they’re being very closed-lipped about things, and Nox made Creed and I leave when it looked like Jordan was about to make his move!” Meyer says, her interest peaked, as I sling my arm back around Cali and lead the girls from the room toward Victor's office.