Possessed by the Fallen

Author:Sharon Ashwood [Ashwood, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Lark listened with wonder to the last beats of Jack’s heart as it returned to its silent resting state. “I’ve never felt that before. Why—”

He cut her off, putting one finger to her lips. “It is a peculiarity of what I am.”

In other words, something about the demon made him more alive than a vampire should be. Passion had let its power slip free.

“Why haven’t I felt that before?” she asked again.

His mouth curved in a look of pure male possession. “Maybe I wanted you more than ever.”

Or maybe it was one more sign that he was losing control of the demon. Yet what had passed between them was as exquisitely blended as fine liquor, everything in balance. She was beginning to understand the complex creature Jack was, with his human reason navigating impulses no mortal could understand. Small wonder he was stubborn. He needed that strength of will.

Lark swallowed back a lump of complicated emotions, caught unawares by the sudden insight. It seemed to demand words, something profound, but nothing she could find measured up. Helplessly, she ran her hands down Jack’s chest, letting her fingers trace the swell and dip of his muscles.

“I missed you,” she said, devastated by her lack of eloquence.

“Hey,” he said, brushing at her cheek with his thumb.

Lark touched her face and realized she was crying, all her pent-up emotion finally finding release. “I’m sorry,” she said, embarrassed by the tears.

“Hush.” Jack kissed her, his lips lingering on the tracks of her tears and teasing her mouth until she returned his smile. If he meant to banish her sadness with affection, it was working. Despite the dangers that lurked ahead, she felt a flicker of hope.

When he finally let her go, she could feel his mood changing, his gentleness turning to hard purpose. “It’s dusk,” he said. “We should get moving.”

By the time she dressed and picked up her pack, the light had faded to a purplish hue, washing the reds and yellows of the landscape to gray. The first stars pricked the sky between the branches overhead. Jack pulled her into the circle of his arms, kissing her forehead. It was a fond gesture, but his body was strung tight as a bow, ready for battle. Even so, he took her hand as they set out.

With little conversation, they found the path and pushed through the forest toward the mountain. It was a hard slog on rising ground, and Lark’s muscles protested. Now that they were closer to their destination, a pall of gloom seemed to hang in the air. Beneath that, energy buzzed in a soft, sinister murmur.

Jack stopped, the cliff face only a dozen yards ahead. They studied the rock face in the growing darkness. “See any secret tunnels?”

“Where should I be looking?”

Jack pointed northwest. “The Derrondine Pass is on the other side of this mountain. The gates to the Dark Fey kingdom are in the lake. That puts the Blackthorns’ hangout dead ahead.”

Lark bit her thumbnail. “Give me a minute.

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