Fallen Redemption (The Trihune Series Book 1) Read online

  Cade drew her to him, until her breasts were against his chest and she was standing in between his legs. He kissed her like he’d wanted to before. When they broke contact his shaft sought attention, but the need inside was not the burning pain of before, it was the need he’d come to know whenever she was in view.

  Emma laughed, moving her hips side to side. “Back in business already?”

  He caressed her face. “You’re sore. Don’t worry.”

  “This isn’t the same as before?”

  “No.”

  Her mouth puckered and he resisted the urge to lean down and suck her bottom lip into his mouth. “What’s different?”

  Cade hesitated. “I told you my brothers and I fight the Fallen.”

  Emma nodded.

  “In order to fight the Fallen we’d obtained extra abilities.”

  “Like fighting skills?”

  “And a few others. One of them caused the reaction you saw.” Confusion still riddled her face and eyes.

  “How do you obtain these extra abilities?”

  “We ingest something.”

  “Like drugs?” Shock raised the pitch of her voice. She moved from him a few steps.

  He frowned and pulled her back to him. “No, not drugs.”

  Arms crossed over her chest but at least she didn’t step away again. “What is it?”

  When he didn’t answer immediately, she ran fingers through her drying hair. “Let me get this straight. You and your brothers take something that is not a drug, which causes painful arousal. You do this willingly in order to fight those monsters.” Her tone was clipped, all traces of warmth gone.

  “Yes,” he said softly, wishing he were a normal Follower. Why couldn’t they lie in bed in each other’s arms right now?

  “You can’t tell me what this non-drug is?”

  “If it only concerned me I’d tell you in a heartbeat, but I cannot put my achs in danger.”

  Emma bit her lip and swayed from one foot to another, her movement causing her leg to brush his still hard shaft. She gazed into the water. “How many times does this happen?”

  “Once a month.”

  “You have to.” Emma gestured to him then herself.

  “Yes.”

  “What happens if you don’t?”

  “Intense pain. I tried to avoid it one time. It didn’t work.”

  She was quiet for a moment, her face expressionless. He’d have preferred anger or even disgust.

  “Earlier you were trying to get me to leave so you could go have sex with another woman?”

  Although her face showed no emotion, hurt laced the words. He spoke softly, cupping her face in his hands. “I didn’t want to hurt you with my need or scare you by my state. Please know you were the one I wanted. If I’d known you’d accept me as you did I wouldn’t have asked you to leave. I’d’ve come straight to you. I’d’ve searched for you because you were, are, the only one I want.”

  When she still didn’t speak, he continued. “I don’t like what I have to do every month. I do it to end the need. It has never been to seek pleasure but with you all I find is pleasure. Being in the same room, hearing your voice, watching you draw, making you laugh I’m filled with pleasure.”

  Emma’s face softened and she laid a hand over his on her cheek, turning to kiss his palm.

  He broke the silence. “You don’t have any other questions for me?”

  “Like what?”

  “My eyes for instance.”

  She shrugged. “I assume it is also some extra ability. Lets you see better?”

  Cade nodded, waited for her to continue but she remained silent. He scrutinized her face for any fear or revulsion. Those were absent, but he caught a hint of sadness and another emotion he couldn’t decipher. “You truly have no other questions for me?”

  Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Sure I do, but you won't be able to answer because it involves your brothers, right?”

  “More than likely.” He studied her. “What is it? You don’t appear to be afraid or revolted by what I am.”

  “I’d already figured you were something more.”

  His eyebrows rose. “You did?”

  “I often see beyond what’s in front of me.”

  Cade’s heart skipped a beat. “What’ve you seen?”

  “You move fast, you’re strong, your eyes change, most of the time your skin is cold, although now, most likely because of the non-drug, you’re warm. You and your brothers are in some kind of group or cult where the servants bow down to you.” Emma met his gaze fully, her eyebrow arched. “I won’t be bowing to you.”

  Cade’s mouth twitched. “I don’t expect you to bow to me. We don’t order the ebheds to bow to us. They do it of their own accord.”

  She shrugged. “Just so you know.” Silence fell.

  “And you are not frightened?”

  “No. You’d never hurt me.”

  He tilted his head. “Tell me what’s caused this look in your eyes.”

  Emma bit her bottom lip, gaze flickering to glance over his shoulder. “It’s only,” she began then stopped. “I assume,” she restarted. Paused. Sighed. “This is all there’s going to be with us.” Her face was indecipherable. She could’ve been prattling about the weather.

  Cade was learning she used her expressionless state when emotions grew high. Hope bloomed in his chest.

  Then died. He was unable to offer her anything else. They could have no future together. “Emma—” Pounding feet approached fast. Jeeves. Cade turned, maneuvering Emma behind him as the ebhed burst through the door.

  “Adohn,” Jeeves said, panting.

  Cade tensed and Emma peered around his shoulder.

  “Adohn Lucas called. There’s trouble.”

  Chapter 12

  Lucas walked down the dark tunnel heading toward the exit. Without Elias’s influence the burn steadily increased. He inhaled. Exhaled slowly. Even after centuries of experience he had to force himself not to tense against the urges.

  Gabe skipped next to him. “Where we going?” His voice was high, filled with excitement and anticipation.

  “You pick.” Lucas didn’t dread these urges as Sarid and Cade did but he didn’t enjoy them with as much fervor as Gabe. Centuries of sex with nheqebas forbidden to remember grew tiresome. He’d rather spend time with a woman allowed to remember him when the dancing was over.

  Outside the night air felt sublime against his body. They walked across the property at a fast pace heading to the garage. It held a changing room used mostly on ceremony nights.

  “Midnight Run. Plenty of drunk, horny women, dark spaces, and private corridors.”

  “I’ll drive.”

  Gabe’s head bobbed like he was listening to music or on a sugar high from one of his energy drinks which according to him when mixed with blood gave it a real kick.

  The changing room held four doors. Each door led to a space the size of two walk in closets and contained a rack for clothes, a mirror, and sink.

  Lucas pulled on Marc jeans and a cashmere sweater before slipping into his Ferragamo sneakers. He may not be a clothes whore like Gabe but he did appreciate the feel of fine fabric over his skin. Gabe was dressed similarly although Lucas knew he preferred Prada to Marc and loafers to sneakers. His ach also wore a black bomber jacket over his shirt.

  “Nice jacket,” he commented getting in behind the wheel of his Black Cadillac Escalade.

  “Arrived yesterday.” Gabe flashed a dimpled grin, which could beckon every available Follower to flock his way and a few unavailable ones as well.

  Ten minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Midnight Run. The burn was a perfect accelerant. Gabe hopped out before Lucas put the car into park. Music
poured through the walls of the dance club and a long line of partygoers still waited to get in despite the fact the place opened hours ago. Gabe passed the Followers and strode to the big black burly man sitting on a stool outside the entrance.

  “Gabe, my man,” the bouncer called as they neared.

  Gabe greeted the man with a series of slaps and knuckle punches. “How’s it going in there, G?”

  The bouncer’s eyebrows wiggled. “Fine pickin’ tonight.”

  “Sweet. See you in a few.”

  Lucas nodded a greeting to the bouncer before following Gabe through the doors. Flashing lights bounced off the floor and ceiling. The floor pulsed from the bass of the music. He couldn’t walk a foot in front of him without hitting a sweaty, warm body. Plenty of skimpily dressed nheqebas filled the place. His body twitched in response.

  “Meet you back at the car in an hour,” Gabe called over his shoulder, his gaze locked on a nheqeba at the bar. Her breasts were falling out of her tight black corset top and her red hair flowed to the middle of her back.

  Lucas searched the crowd. He had Followers in all colors and sizes and preferred no particular one to the other. A nheqeba with dark, short spiky hair and large pixie eyes stood across the dance floor. Lucas held her gaze as he maneuvered toward her. A slight smile played on her lips. Her eyes widened appreciatively when the lights danced across his face and body.

  An hour later Lucas exited the building. He’d left Pixie sitting in a dark corner with a satisfied smile on her face from the multiple orgasms she’d received but had no memory of and a fruity drink in her hand she believed came from the bartender who’d eyed her on previous nights. The cool breeze dispersed the last remnants of the burn and the sweat across the back of his neck. Lucas could finally enjoy the effects of the ceremonial blood.

  Thirty minutes later Gabe swaggered toward him, sporting a wide just got laid grin.

  Screams pierced the night air. They both froze. It was a half a mile away, not loud enough for any of the still waiting Followers to detect.

  “Three blocks west,” Gabe called to Lucas before he tore down the street, unnoticeable to the Followers. His jacket swung out behind him like a cape.

  Lucas jumped into the Escalade. Tires squealed as he pulled out of the parking lot. The close Fallen ring sang in his ears. He spied Gabe ahead. His ach slowed, nearing an alley entrance. Lucas pulled over to the curb and killed the engine. Jumping out, he footed the rest of the block.

  Gabe’s Beretta was tight in his hand. Lucas palmed his own favored Sigma by the time he reached the alley. Their gazes met briefly before they tore around the corner.

  A high pitch giggle echoed off the surrounding concrete buildings. A child? The damaged streetlights and moonless night shrouded the alley in darkness. Lucas blinked and his eyes glowed, lighting the alley like it was the middle of the day.

  Two male Fallen stood at the back of the alley. A beefy man, 6’1”, 6’2” and another one a head shorter with a wild, crazy grin. In between them was a Follower. Her skin was ashen. The nheqeba’s head lolled to the side at an unnatural angle throwing focus on the small cut on her neck. Lucas detected the faint movement of her chest. Still alive.

  Gabe bounced from foot to foot. “I take the shorter one and wipe the nheqeba,” he said underneath his breath. “You take the big dude.”

  Lucas hesitated, eyeing the shorter Fallen. “Wait—” But Gabe was already down the alley. “Shit.” He focused on the bigger Fallen whose meaty hand still circled the Follower’s arm. Lucas headed straight for him. The Fallen pushed the woman to the ground and crouched, hands loose at his sides.

  Lucas raised his Sigma, aimed at the Fallen’s large head. He heard Gabe engage his Fallen. Knots grew in Lucas’s stomach and chest. The growing anxiety did not belong to someone else. Something wasn’t right. Lucas squeezed the trigger.

  The Fallen dived to the left, hit the ground, and rolled back to his feet before Lucas even closed the distance between them. For a large, dead guy he was pretty spry. Perhaps he’d gotten the Follower’s soul after all. Lucas stopped a few feet away. He began to mirror the Fallen’s movements with his own, preventing escape while waiting for an opening.

  Another high pitch giggle sounded to the left. Not a child. The other Fallen. The big guy’s attention veered at the sound and Lucas used the moment to rush forward. Lucas pulled the trigger before the Fallen knew the dynamics of the fight had changed. One shot in the head. Another in the heart.

  The Fallen’s eyes widened as he fell to the ground. Lucas was on top of him, the dagger strapped to his shin in his hands. He plunged it into the Fallen’s chest using the bullet hole as entry point. The sharp, reinforced steel tip punctured the Fallen’s heart. The soulless being erupted into dust. Lucas surged to his feet. Gun still in one hand and the knife in the other. He whirled.

  Gabe was on the ground. Blood pooled under his body. A hand rested over a gaping wound in his chest, the other one covered an injury on his stomach. His wide, shocked eyes stared at the other Fallen.

  The Fallen stood over Gabe, dancing from foot to foot. It’s sword held high over his head. Ready to strike.

  With a growl Lucas leapt, continuously squeezing off rounds as he flew through the air. The gun clicked empty just before he crashed into the Fallen. They both fell to the ground.

  On top Lucas grabbed for the sword in the Fallen’s hands. He tried to wrench it free while preventing it from cutting him. Lucas yanked on the Fallen’s fingers grasping the sword handle. Their skin collided.

  Insanity. And something dark. Darker than anything he’d encountered before. Evil was imbedded in this thing’s core. And it began to seep into Lucas. Even with Elias’s blood coursing through his body he didn’t have enough strength to combat these emotions.

  Lucas jumped to his feet, lunging for his knife that had fallen to the ground.

  The thing still lay on the alley ground, his smile growing wider. Like it knew what happened. Impossible.

  Lucas’s gaze swept over the thing’s body, searching for gunshot wounds. At least four bullets had found its target but there were no holes or blood on the thing’s dark clothing. What the? Gaze never wavering, Lucas stepped back, one foot at a time until he sensed his ach’s presence directly behind him.

  “Gabe,” Lucas called. He didn’t dare turn. Silence filled the air. Dread filled, then sunk, in his stomach. “Gabe!” This time his ach moaned quietly, words undistinguishable. Panic rose.

  The monster on the ground chuckled. Rose to his feet, wiping the dirt from his pants. “Such a predicament. Save your brother or save the nasty human vermin from death?” Its voice was little girl shrill and his smile—fuck, its teeth were sharpened points. Lucas suppressed a shiver.

  Two trinity stars pressed into his right hand. “Both,” he growled and flexed. The three-pronged sharp-tipped pointed stars sailed through the air. The thing didn’t have time to duck before one lodged into his chest right over his heart and the other into his stomach. The thing glanced down, mouth gaping, eyes wide in shock. Lucas ran forward, knife tight in his grip.

  The thing jerked his head up, squeaked then poofed.

  Lucas skidded to a stop. A billowing cloud of bluish smoke took the thing’s place. Lucas whirled, searching behind him. Empty. The smoke had dissipated, too. Lucas stilled, used all of his senses. The thing had disappeared. He gathered the stars that left the thing’s body when he vanished and pocketed them. A dark slippery substance coated his fingers, similar to blood. Lucas wiped his hands on his pants. Grabbing his sword from the ground, he hurried to Gabe. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the HQ as he crouched down. Andrew, Jeeves’ oldest son, answered.

  “Send a car. Gabe’s down.” Lucas closed the connection. Andrew would use the GPS in his phone to find his coordinates.

  “They’re coming, Gabe
. Hang on.” Gabe didn’t open his eyes, didn’t respond in any way to let him know he processed Lucas’s words or was still conscious. He’d been stabbed three different times. Twice in the stomach and the third time, the worst one, in the center of his chest. The wound was twice the size of the sword’s width as though the thing had plunged the sword into Gabe’s chest and twisted it.

  The desire to begin administering blood rode him, but he forced himself to be patient. It was too dangerous. With the severity of Gabe’s wounds he didn’t know how his ach managed to get the stars from whatever holster and place them into Lucas’s hands.

  Headlights flooded the alley. Lucas recognized the black Hummer and stood. The car skidded to a stop and Sarid jumped out.

  “Get Gabe in the back,” Lucas called before kneeling next to the Follower placing two fingers on the side of her neck. Her pulse was faint. He lifted her into his arms, stepping over the pile of ash. Sarid had laid Gabe across the back seat. Lucas set the nheqeba in the front passenger seat before sitting in the back.

  “Hospital then HQ,” he said before biting his wrist and placing it over Gabe’s mouth. The car lurched, throwing him back against the seat. Lucas tightened his grip on Gabe. “Come on,” he urged when Gabe’s mouth remained slack. From the lack of response Gabe was going to need more blood than Lucas could give.

  Sarid broke all Follower traffic laws and pulled into the HQ property some twenty minutes later. Lucas was already weak from donating blood, but didn’t dare stop. Gabe finally responded. His throat worked to swallow the blood and he gave sluggish pulls at Lucas’s wrist.

  Sarid screeched to a halt at the entrance. Jeeves, Michael, and Cade were waiting by the driveway. Martha was in the doorway. Cade yanked open the door, took one glance at Lucas, bit into his wrist and pushed Lucas’s away, taking his place at Gabe’s mouth.