Tempting Darkness(Darkness Series)

Book 2 Chapter 3

Aleera

Pain radiates through my stomach, so I roll over, only for my nose to be invaded with Lycus’ scent. A hand moves across my stomach, heat radiating out of it, and I sigh as the pain eases. I glance over my shoulder to see Darius pressed against me. Darius kisses my shoulder while his thumb brushes my stomach gently. He tugs me closer so I am flush against him. His entire body heats like my very own personal hot water bottle.

“It’s late. You should try to go back to sleep,” Darius murmurs. However, I’m sure I can’t sleep knowing he’s lying beside me. It puts me on edge, yet I am reluctant to move away.

“What happened to the hellhounds?” I ask, confused. I have no memory of returning here or anything since I passed out.

“Nothing. Tobias and Lycus got to us in time,” Darius whispers. The memory of teeth and claws trying to get to us makes me cringe. Shivering, I jam my feet between Lycus’ legs in an attempt to warm them. Lycus hisses at how cold they are when I realize I have no pants on. I lift the blanket and peer under it. To find I only have underwear and one of their shirts on.

“I changed you. You bled through your pants,” Darius whispers behind me. My face heats at that thought before shaking it off. I have literally bled on his lap in the shower, and he doesn’t seem fazed.

“Geez, your feet are freezing,” Lycus hisses. He wiggles a little closer and rubs my thighs along with the back of my legs, trying to warm them. My heart races with their closeness, yet the bond soars, enjoying their skin against mine. It takes everything in me not to reach out and bury my face in Lycus’ neck or climb on him. Yet I don’t want to move away from my demonic hot water bottle either, especially not while he’s being nice.

“Move closer, Lycus. She wants your scent,” Darius says, and I peer at him over my shoulder.

“Demonic fae, Love. I’m part incubus. So, I can sense your desire and what you’re craving.”

I think over his words and turn back to see Lycus smile slyly.

“I have no issues being all nice and close,” Lycus purrs, his eyes flickering under the dim light of the fireplace.

Lycus presses his chest against mine, his entire body touching, and I slide my leg between his, melting against him, suddenly not caring if I look needy. I just want his skin and Darius’ heat.

“Go to sleep, Aleera. You’re safe with us,” Darius whispers.

“You’re not mad?” I ask him.

“Mad that our keeper is one of the most powerful faes in the world? Never. But now we know we need to take extra precautions,” Darius whispers behind me.

His sudden change since the other day is giving me whiplash, and some part of me wonders if he is only being nice because he wants my non-existent power. Or because he now knows he owns the ultimate weapon, one he could use to his benefit.

“What’s wrong?” Lycus asks, and I open my eyes to see him staring at me.

“Nothing,” I whisper, and I see his eyes dart to Darius before I push my face into Lycus’ neck, only to hear him purr.

The sound soothes my soul as I melt against them while Darius’ heat bleeds through me like my personal heat pack. I sigh, closing my eyes and snuggling between them, enjoying it for now because no doubt they would probably go back to hating me when I am no longer shredding and of no use to them. So, for now, I would enjoy the bond and worry about its withdrawal when it happens. I know I will pay dearly for letting them get this close. The withdrawal from the bond is bound to be pure agony, yet I ignore common sense, instead giving into the bond for once.

I let my eyes close. A few hours later, I am awoken by Ryze, his beak playing with my hair. Opening my eyes, he pulls away, staring at me, then his tongue slivers out, flicking over my cheek. I blink up at him perched on the bedhead.

Lycus is still asleep, and I can hear Darius snoring behind me, feel his breath on me, tickling the back of my neck. Rubbing my eyes, I lift Darius’ arm off me, wiggling out from between them, and scoot to the end of the bed. Seeing that I am getting up, Ryze flies over to me and perches himself on my shoulder, rubbing his beak across my cheek and cooing softly.

His weight becomes heavy, and his talons dig into my flesh, making me hiss. Still, I scratch his tummy feathers as I peer back at the bed.

Kalen is beside Lycus, snuggling against him, also asleep. However, Tobias isn’t in bed, and I can’t see him in the room. I walk toward the bathroom and turn the handle, only for it to open. Tobias steps out, having just hopped out of the shower. A towel hangs dangerously low on his hips, his hair is wet, and droplets cascade down his chest from the shower. Some foreign urge to trace the hard lines of his abs rushes over me. My breathing hitches as my eyes travel lower to his V-line that disappears beneath his towel.

Ryze shifts his weight on my shoulder, his talons digging into my skin and collarbone, piercing through my delicate skin.

“Ryze, careful,” Tobias scolds, holding his hand out for him to climb on. I am relieved when Ryze climbs up his arm and off mine, only to perch on Tobias’ shoulder for a moment before flying out the window.

“We need to cut his claws,” I tell Tobias, while looking down at my bleeding shoulder. I wipe the blood off only to look up at Tobias, whose eyes are glazed over, staring at my neck. Tobias licks his lips and steps closer.