Awaken the Darkness Read online

  Her throat thickened at just the thought of it. Of having a family again. Of being accepted by so many. Of just being able to relax and be herself without having to hide her gift.

  Of feeling normal.

  Stanislav reached her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her hair.

  A high-pitched giggle reached their ears.

  A moment later, yet another tall warrior bent and entered the room with a redheaded toddler riding on his shoulders. Another giggle escaped the little beauty as she wobbled and grabbed his head to keep her balance, mussing his longish black hair.

  Stanislav’s arm tightened around Susan’s shoulders.

  She glanced up and found him regarding the child with shock.

  The man glanced around, then focused his brown gaze on Ami. Smiling, he waded through the crowd. The little girl atop his shoulders laughed and patted every warrior’s head as she passed them.

  All the men grinned up at her with apparent adoration.

  Too cute.

  The man stopped in front of Ami and smiled down at her. “Adira insisted we sing her new baby doll another lullaby before we came up,” he said with a British accent. “What’d I miss?”

  Ami looked pointedly at Stanislav.

  When the man followed her gaze, the smile on his face froze, then transformed into a look of astonishment. “Oh shit,” he whispered.

  Stanislav stared raptly up at the child the man carried. “That’s just what I was going to say,” he murmured. “Marcus… is this your daughter?”

  “Yes.” Marcus glanced at Ami, then back at Stanislav. Releasing one of his daughter’s plump legs, he reached out and poked Stanislav in the chest. “Oh shit,” he repeated. “You’re really here. You’re alive.”

  Susan frowned. Had Marcus thought Stanislav an illusion?

  When Stanislav hugged the man, the little girl patted him on the head. Grinning, he turned to Susan. “Marcus can see spirits.”

  Susan’s gaze shot to Marcus. “You can see ghosts?”

  He nodded and extended a hand. “Marcus Grayden.”

  “Susan Meyer.” No wonder he had poked Stanislav. He’d thought him an apparition.

  He pointed up. “This is Adira.”

  Stanislav continued to stare raptly at the toddler.

  You seem stunned, she thought to him.

  I am, he replied. Marcus is the first Immortal Guardian to have fathered a child after his transformation.

  The little girl began to bounce and kick her feet. Marcus lifted her over his head and tucked her against his chest.

  “She’s beautiful,” Stanislav breathed. “And she’s…?” He sent Marcus a meaningful look.

  Marcus smiled. “She’s perfect.”

  Ami smiled, too. “And perfectly healthy with no sign of the virus.”

  Stanislav’s relief was unmistakable… until little Adira suddenly lunged toward him with outstretched arms. Panic widening his eyes, Stanislav grabbed the child and awkwardly cradled her against his chest. “What do I do? Is this right? Am I doing this right?”

  Laughter erupted all around them.

  Ami grinned at Susan. “Every male present save Seth, David, and Roland panicked the first few times they held her.”

  “She’s so small and fragile!” Stanislav blurted.

  Marcus laughed. “You’ll get used to it.”

  “But my clothes,” Stanislav protested. His shirt was wet. And the rain hadn’t rinsed all the bloodstains from it. But Adira didn’t seem to mind it. Nor did her parents.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Marcus said, then turned to Susan. “Ami tells me you saved Stanislav. That you found him buried in your basement, dug him up, and kept him safe while he recovered. Thank you. We owe you a great debt.”

  How had Ami told him as much? Susan was standing right next to her and hadn’t heard—

  “She’s telepathic,” Stanislav informed her.

  “You are?” Susan had never met another telepath before.

  Ami’s smile was kind. “Almost every man and woman in this room has special gifts. You’re no longer the odd man out.” Her smile turned wry. “If anyone is the odd man out, it’s me.”

  Marcus wrapped an arm around Ami’s shoulders. “I don’t know. I think most of us would agree that the oddest person here is Sheldon. And he doesn’t have any gifts.”

  “Hey!” a male protested somewhere.

  More laughter erupted.

  Susan didn’t know who Sheldon was but found herself laughing alongside the others even as she fought back tears.

  She wasn’t alone anymore.

  “You’ll never be alone again,” Stanislav whispered.

  Every gaze that locked with hers bore both understanding and acceptance.

  She looked up at Stanislav. I’m so glad I found you in my basement.

  He pressed a kiss to her temple. I am, too.

  Epilogue

  The weeks that followed were unlike anything Susan had ever experienced. She and Stanislav remained at David’s very busy and bustling home. Though only one story, it was huge, with a basement bigger than the ground floor that boasted many bedrooms for immortals or Seconds who wished to spend the night or even live there for long stretches at a time.

  Most of the other immortals in the area had been staying there of late because it would seem that while Stanislav had slept in that odd stasis in her basement, a formidable enemy had risen against the Immortal Guardians. And against Seth. And… well… pretty much the entire world. Apparently the bastard had already made two nearly successful attempts at launching a third world war and kick-starting Armageddon.

  That enemy—Gershom—was willing to use any weapon he could find against Seth. And though Susan still found it hard to believe, Stanislav had told her she could be one of those weapons. Seth was extremely protective of both immortals and gifted ones. So Gershom had decided to hurt Seth by harming those he cared about.

  How strange and exhilarating it was to be listed among those he cared about. Those they all cared about. The Immortal Guardians and their Seconds had gone out of their way to make Susan feel welcome and part of the family.

  Even if they hadn’t, now that she had been drawn into his world, Stanislav was afraid to return her to her home and leave her unguarded. And he wasn’t shy about admitting that he wanted to keep her close for far more personal reasons as well. He cared for her. As deeply as she cared for him. So she had packed some clothes, picked up Jax from Anna’s, and agreed to stay at David’s place with Stanislav.

  He really hadn’t had to do a lot of arm-twisting to convince her. She loved it here. Loved feeling normal for a change. Loved the camaraderie and family atmosphere. All the laughing and teasing despite the grim challenges they faced.

  She’d been alone for so long. Every moment she spent with Stanislav made her want to spend a thousand more with him.

  “We could go away for a while.” Stanislav spoke softly as he tugged at the laces on one of his boots.

  Seated at the lovely desk he had added to their bedroom, her laptop open before her, Susan glanced over at him.

  He had reluctantly returned to hunting vampires at night and helping his brethren seek their enemy. While he did so, Susan trained with Alexei and some of the other Seconds here at David’s, wanting to be better able to protect herself—and Stanislav—should the need ever arise again. Then she spent the rest of her free time writing. “What?”

  “We could leave here.” Tugging the big boot off, he went to work on the laces of the other. “Go someplace safe. Someplace out of the line of fire. Overseas.”

  “From what I understand, Gershom can make mischief just about anywhere he pleases because he can teleport and nearly matches Seth in strength and power. I don’t think there is anyplace safe.”

  Eyes still on his task, he shook his head. “There are places I can take you. Places even Seth doesn’t know about, where I can keep you safe until this is over.”

&
nbsp; “And knowing your brethren are fighting this battle without you by their sides will kill you,” she pointed out gently.

  He removed the boot, then stared down at the floor for a long moment. His gaze rose and met hers. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” he admitted. “I would never forgive myself.”

  Rising, she crossed the room and knelt before him. “If anything happens to me,” she said, resting her hands on his thighs, “it won’t be your fault.”

  He covered her hands. “Nor will it be your fault if something happens to me.”

  She frowned.

  Lifting one of her hands, he pressed a kiss to her palm. “I know why you train so hard each night while I hunt. I know you fear I will sacrifice my life to save yours if I must to keep you safe. I know you hope training and growing stronger will prevent such from occurring.”

  “How did you—?”

  “You tend to broadcast your thoughts whenever you’re stressed or worried.”

  She swallowed hard. “I don’t want you to die for me, Stanislav.”

  His lips turned up in a sad smile. “I don’t want you to die. I’ve waited over four centuries to find you.” He raised her other palm to his lips, then drew her forward between his splayed thighs and wrapped his arms around her.

  Her pulse picked up.

  “I love you, Susan.”

  Joy flowed through her.

  “You don’t have to say it back,” he whispered. “I just wanted you to know.” Because the next battle may not incapacitate me. It may kill me. And Gershom could bring our time together to an end at any moment.

  She was pretty sure he hadn’t meant for her to hear that. But she had been thinking along the same lines. “I love you, too.”

  His eyes brightened with amber light.

  “Admitting that so soon should scare the hell out of me,” she whispered, “but honestly, I just don’t see any reason to wait.” Especially if waiting means I may never have the chance to tell him.

  His eyes grew brighter.

  She whispered a curse. “You heard that last part, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  She had been broadcasting again, damn it. She seemed to do that more and more often around him, relaxing her guard as she never had before. “Look.” She cupped his handsome face in her hands, loving the dark stubble that abraded her skin. “If the worst happens, it will all have been worth it.” When he parted his lips to protest, she pressed a finger to them to silence him. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to die, Stanislav. I really don’t. But if I do…” She shook her head. “My time with you has been the best in my life. I finally found love with someone who can accept me for who and what I am. Someone I adore who makes me happier than I ever thought I could be. Someone who makes me laugh and makes my breath catch and has given me a huge new family on top of everything else. It’s a dream come true. And it’s one I wouldn’t have missed for anything.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, he buried his face in her hair and held her tight. “I don’t want to lose you,” he whispered against her neck. “The others told me everything I missed while I was away, and Gershom keeps upping his game. The threat has never been greater.”

  “Then transform me.”

  His arms clamped down around her. “What?”

  “Too tight,” she wheezed. “Too tight, honey.”

  He hastily released his hold and drew back. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Did I hurt you?”

  “No. And stop looking like you want to kick your own ass. I shouldn’t have just blurted it out like that. I caught you off guard.”

  “You wish to become immortal?”

  “Yes.”

  “This isn’t a decision to be made lightly, Susan,” he cautioned. But she saw the hope that flared to life in his eyes.

  “I’m not making it lightly.”

  “It can’t be reversed.” He slid his hands up and down her arms. “Once you’re infected with the virus, there is no turning back. There is no cure.”

  “I know. And I won’t lie, I’m not sure how I’ll handle the whole hunting and killing vampires every night thing. But if it will mean I can spend the rest of eternity with you, it will be worth it.”

  “You’re sure?” He stared at her with the same awe that had brightened his features when he had seen little Adira for the first time, as though he couldn’t believe it was true.

  “I’m sure.”

  Stanislav took her lips in an exuberant kiss. “Thank you. I will do everything in my power to make you happy and ensure you won’t regret it. I vow it.”

  She kissed him again, softer this time, teasing him with the brush of her tongue. “Everything?” she drawled, nipping his lower lip.

  The amber light in his eyes brightened. “Everything,” he repeated, his voice deepening.

  Nodding at the big bed a few feet away, she sent him a sly look. “Care to get started on that right now?”

  He gripped her hips. “Absolutely.”

  A doorbell sounded.

  Stanislav swore foully.

  Susan laughed as he eased her away and rose. Grumbling over the interruption, he took her hand and drew her up beside him.

  The bedroom suites in David’s basement had been soundproofed so well to afford the immortals who inhabited them privacy that doorbells had been installed to alert those inside that they had a visitor.

  Susan watched Stanislav cross the room.

  She loved seeing him like this. Rumpled clothes. Windblown hair. No shoes. His stride languid and relaxed. He was so damned handsome.

  When he opened the door, Marcus faced him in the hallway. “Hi. Sorry to disturb you.”

  “No problem,” Stanislav responded.

  Susan moved to stand at his side.

  “So.” Marcus shifted his weight from one foot to the other and seemed uncertain how to phrase whatever he wanted to say. “I’ve been asked to deliver a message.”

  Stanislav frowned. “Asked by whom?”

  Marcus shook his head and looked at Susan. “Do you know how to pull Stanislav into your dreams? I’ve heard some telepaths can do that.”

  She nodded. “As long as we’re touching when we sleep, our dreams tend to merge.”

  “Good. Well, make sure you two cuddle up tonight, because you’re going to have company in your dreams.”

  Stanislav’s eyebrows shot up. “A dreamwalker?”

  Marcus nodded.

  Susan looked up at Stanislav. “What’s a dreamwalker? Is that like a telepath?”

  “In a manner of speaking. Dreamwalkers can only enter someone else’s mind when that person is asleep. The dreamwalker can’t read all their thoughts like you can. But he or she can infiltrate and manipulate the person’s dreams.” He turned to Marcus. “I wasn’t aware there were any in the area. Is it someone I know?”

  Marcus shrugged. “Not for me to say. I’m just supposed to give you a heads-up. You two sleep well.”

  Susan stared after him as he strolled down the hallway to his and Ami’s room. Pursing her lips, she looked up at Stanislav. “Sleep well, my ass. I’m so curious now I probably won’t be able to sleep at all.”

  He winked. “I believe I can ensure you will sleep very well.” So saying, he closed the door, picked her up, and tossed her onto the bed.

  “When love,” Susan sang softly as she stared up at Stanislav, “into my dreams was creeping.”

  Smiling, he tightened his arm around her and tucked her hand against his chest as the two danced in her kitchen.

  “I gave my heart into your keeping.”

  It would forever be his favorite song, because it was the first he’d heard from her lips.

  She smiled up at him.

  How he loved her. Who would’ve thought that being gravely wounded and buried alive would be the best thing that had ever happened to him in his long, long life?

  When she reached the end of the song, he pressed a kiss to her lips. “Again,” he whispered.

  T
he tenderness in her hazel eyes warmed his heart as she complied.

  The worn Formica countertops around them were gone, replaced by granite. New modern appliances gleamed and reflected a mirror image of them as they circled the room. He would help her remodel every room in the house. Their house now. Make it the dream house she had always wanted.

  If, he thought with some amusement, he could tear her away from David’s home. Susan loved the hustle and bustle and family gatherings that took place there. But he was sure that he could find a way to make their home more appealing. His hand on her back drifted lower, sliding down over her bottom. He could find many ways to—

  “I’ve known you for over four centuries,” a deep voice drawled behind him, his accent identical to Stanislav’s. “How did I not know you like to dance?”

  Startled, Stanislav spun around. His eyes widened. He sucked in a breath. “Yuri?”

  The elder immortal grinned at him from across the kitchen. “It is good to see you, my friend.”

  A woman stood beside Yuri. But Stanislav saw only the brother he’d lost.

  Crossing the kitchen in a blink, he yanked Yuri into his arms.

  Yuri pounded him on the back and delivered a crushing bear hug. “I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice rough.

  Stanislav’s throat thickened as he nodded, unable to speak.

  Drawing back slightly, Yuri clasped the back of Stanislav’s neck and smiled at him. “I thought you died the same day I did. I thought you crossed over without saying goodbye.” Moisture glinted in his glowing amber eyes. “I thought I would never see you again.”

  “Susan saved me,” Stanislav choked out. “But you did die.” Tears blurred his vision. “And it was my fault.”

  Yuri’s grip on Stanislav’s neck tightened to the point of pain as he gave him a little shake. “Never say that. Never even think it. It’s not true.”

  Stanislav wished it weren’t, but… “I shouldn’t have left my position. I wasn’t there to guard your back. I knew you’d been distracted of late and should have—”

  “Done exactly what you did,” Yuri interrupted.

  Stanislav didn’t understand the lack of anger in his friend’s expression.