Blood In The Stars (14 page)

Jason paused in front of her door and knocked. “Daria, I’m back.”

Locks snapped and bolts clicked. The door flung open. As soon as he stepped inside, Daria enveloped him in a tight hug and buried her face in his chest. They said nothing for a moment, just enjoying the feel of each other.

Two more days before she reached maturation and developed powers. Some would try to come then, hoping to gain powers and immortality before the auspicious one grew too powerful. Others would wait until after she matured, wanting to make sure they’d get the full benefit of her flesh and blood.

“Are you okay? He didn’t do anything to you, did he?” Daria began checking his arms and chest for wounds. Her frantic search brought a smile to Jason’s lips and tightness in his chest. The last time he could recall anyone worrying about him, was when he was still a child.

“I’m fine. Alastor wouldn’t do anything to me.”

She gaped at him like he’d grown another arm. “You’re joking, right? You two were talking about killing each other in my living room. I saw those sparks on your hand.”

“If you see that happen again, you should stand back,” he admonished.

“But—”

“I could have killed you by accident.”

Daria searched his face. Then she smiled and leaned in close. “That would never happen.”

Her quiet confidence surpassed his own and his heart clenched even more. “Why is that?” he asked thickly.

“You’d never hurt me,” she told him simply.

Not intentionally, perhaps. But she didn’t know the darkness inside him always waited to be unleashed. She didn’t know, as the rest of his family knew, that his powers were a wild card. They could destroy everything.

“I like it when you worry about me,” he said to lighten the moment. “Worry more. Worry for me always.” He gazed into her hazel eyes and wished nothing more than to continue what they were doing before Alastor interrupted them.

So he couldn’t help but tease her a little. “What were you saying earlier? Something about how you’ve fallen for me?”

She flushed crimson. For a second, he thought the anxiety welling inside her would lead to denials. Instead, she breathed, “Seems short, right? That’s too short of a time to fall in lo—I mean, to fall at all.” She cursed under her breath.

Jason stilled, his heart wrenching and twisting. “What did you just say?”

“I . . .” She sighed in defeat. “I don’t know how I feel. I don’t know what love is. I’ve never fallen in love before. Isn’t that sad? I’m almost twenty-eight and I’ve never been in love.”

Her dejected little smile tugged at his emotions. He brushed his fingers through her soft hair. “We’re the same, you and I.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love, either.” He paused, trying to orient his thoughts and words. “I thought I loved Alice but it’s nothing to what I feel for you. For one thing, I can’t keep my hands off you.”

So saying, he bent down to taste her lips. Their leisurely kiss belied the urgency and danger that lurked in every corner. When they surfaced, she snuggled close to him.

“There are only two days left. What happens then?”

The deadline loomed over them, but Jason had always known that day would come. “If I don’t have things sorted out, then I’ll just have to kill whoever tries to take you away from me.”

Jason slipped out of bed, caressing Daria’s hair one more time before he trekked to the kitchen. He scribbled a note and paused as he reached for the oven. His eyes fell on his wrists.

They had hurt more than he last remembered. When he entered the median plane Damien had created, the bands had hung heavy and cumbersome. But after he had used his powers, the bands had tried to incapacitate him, tightening and digging into his flesh. He imagined tiny little knives had appeared, threatening to chop off his hands at the wrist.

He hadn’t wanted Daria to see any of it. He wanted her to feel safe with him, that he could take on the world to protect her. Instead, he had fallen to his knees from the pain and caused her worry. Desperation had lined her voice and he felt her trepidation when she discovered his blood.

He slipped the note into the oven.

There were only two ways to have their marriage sanctioned. Ironically, the easier route was to gain his father’s approval. His father had created the law that only the oldest child could marry the auspicious one.

And his father could undo it.

Chapter 12

Daria squinted against the sunlight and turned her back to the blinds, curling around Jason. She was going to take the rest of the week off. The Hellerman account was a sham anyway.

As she wrapped her arms around him, hands trailing down his bare chest, she wondered why he seemed larger than he had last night. She caught a glint of black, and blinked.

Then her eyes shot open and she screamed bloody murder. “What are you doing here?”

She scrambled back and pulled her blanket to her chest, which turned out to be a mistake because as she covered herself, she revealed a naked torso instead.

Jason plowed through the door yelling, “What is it?” Then he stood stock still, his lips drawn into a grim line.

“Good morning,” Damien called with a little wave of his hand to Jason. He winked at Daria. “Morning, beautiful.”

Shudders wracked her body at the endearment. In spite of herself, her eyes skimmed the ripples of muscle along his abs and bulging pecs. His arms were like tree trunks and the definition in them belonged on posters at the gym, save for all the tattoos. Strange geometric and curved patterns traced along Damien’s arms and torso. She gasped and then blinked. Did the tattoos just move?

She couldn’t help but admire Jason, toned and lean in his black jogging pants and black tee. In comparison, Damien looked as if he was on steroids and could crush her with his pinky.

If his plan was to seduce her, then it wasn’t working. “Don’t call me that. And put on some clothes.”

“I usually sleep na—”

“Stop! I don’t want to know,” she cried, cutting him off.

As Daria jumped out of bed, she took note of Jason’s tousled hair and sleepy eyes. Her heart simply melted. He needed to stop looking so handsome in the mornings.

“How’d you sleep?” she croaked, then swallowed, surprised at her raspy voice.

He shot her a languid smile before dragging Damien off the bed despite the latter’s protests. When the door shut behind them, Daria let out a relieved sigh.

She pulled out a pair of jeans and a polo and conducted her toiletries. As she tied her hair back in a ponytail, she searched her brain for ways to get rid of Damien. And Jason.

She glanced at her watch. Crap! She had overslept. Ten minutes to think of an excuse to get both of them out of her house before her guest showed up.

Daria darted out to her living room and skidded to a stop. Damien wasn’t the only uninvited guest. A beautiful blond woman sat on her couch.

With raised brows, she frowned at Jason. “
Your
friend?”

“This is Candy,” he introduced the newcomer.

Her thigh-high boots—complete with black leather mini and black vest—screamed ‘dominatrix,’ while the name and blond-in-a-bottle hair broadcasted, ‘porn star.’ But Daria didn’t say anything because she got the distinct feeling Candy was also giving her a once over. When Candy formed a knowing smile and slithered up to Jason, Daria was sure the other woman felt she was competition.

Her blood boiled and she saw red. Candy was exactly the kind of woman Daria imagined would be with Jason. It didn’t make her feel any better to know her fantasies for him had actually come true.

“Aren’t you going to thank me for watching over you all day yesterday before your elopement with Damien?” Candy purred.

Even Candy’s voice was sexy. That settled it. She hated the bimbo.

Daria wouldn’t condescend to give an answer to such obvious provocation. Her eyes swept over all of the uninvited guests before noticing the box of cereal flanked by two bowls on her dining table. The fragrance of fresh coffee wafted through the air. Seemed folks were making themselves right at home.

“Or how about when I saved you from getting squashed by traffic?” Candy breathed.

Daria bit her lip. The sunglasses had hidden Candy’s face well. “Thank you,” she replied grudgingly.

Candy’s blood-red lips tilted in an alluring smile and she nodded in acknowledgment.

Then the doorbell rang. Daria’s stomach sank. Damn it all to hell! She hadn’t gotten rid of any of them. Now Jason would see everything and she had no choice but to spill her guts. She huffed and yanked open the door.

Miller breezed in with two shopping bags and froze upon recognizing all the pairs of eyes on him. His gaze swept over the room and paused for a second longer on Candy.

Quiet fury flashed across his face before he turned to Daria. “So much for keeping things quiet.”

She gave him an apologetic smile and turned back to her uninvited guests.

“What’s he doing here?” Damien asked.

She glanced at the bags and massaged her neck, wondering how much she wanted to share.

Candy slinked over and threw her arms around Miller’s neck while pressing her body against his. Miller’s face flushed in anger.

“It’s been so long,” Candy said in a cooing whisper.

Miller shoved Candy aside as he marched to Daria’s dining table to deposit the bags.

“You asked Miller to protect you?” The soft incredulity in Jason’s voice almost broke her heart.

She strode to him and laid her hands on his shoulders, praying he’d understand her logic. “Not quite. I asked Miller to help me protect myself.”

Miller dropped the bags on the table and began pulling out vials and bottles, crystals and jewelry.

Jason barely glanced at the items. “Charms?”

Daria nodded eagerly. “Exactly. When you went downstairs with Alastor—”

“That bastard’s here?” Damien growled.

“—I called Miller, asking how I could better protect myself.” Daria ignored Damien’s outburst. “I want to
do
something. I can’t keep relying on you.”

Jason’s hands curled into fists and he pushed them into his pockets. “Why not?”

“Because that’s who I am,” she cried.

Aggravation flashed across Jason’s face and she braced herself for an argument. Instead, he unleashed his wrath on Miller. “You should have talked her out of it.”

Miller straightened and sighed. “She’s too pig-headed for anyone to put up with except you.”

Daria frowned. Not quite the defense she had hoped for.

“You think a few potions and charms will keep them away from you?” Jason waved his hand at the bottles accumulating on her table.

“I asked for a gun but Miller said it wouldn’t work,” she mumbled.

Jason’s eyes widened in disbelief, gaping at her. Then with a half-laugh, half-sigh, he swung his arm around Daria and pressed a kiss to her head. “Don’t drink anything Miller makes for you. It tastes like gravel and tar.”

Happiness bubbled inside her at Jason’s support and she nodded, glad she hadn’t had to reveal her true motivations. She bounded to Miller and helped him with the rest of his goods.

Last night, when Jason left with Alastor, she had called Miller, wanting to know not only how to protect herself, but also Jason. She didn’t dare tell him for fear of wounding his pride.

Basking in his care and protection had felt nice for a little while, but the blood on his hands had shown her how everyone’s life hung in the balance with her impending maturation. Her parents had died because of her. She wasn’t going to let Jason get hurt, too. She planned to take matters into her own hands and defend herself.

“You’ll still need protection, though,” Jason added. “You realize that, right?”

She turned toward Jason. “Alastor said if I don’t choose someone to marry, no one will protect me.” She tried to shrug off the painful truth. “You guys have to leave soon.”

Jason was the only one who cared about her. The only one who would stay. If not for Alastor, she knew he would fulfill his promise and protect her forever.

So she was surprised to hear Miller say, “No one
has
to leave.”

Damien shrugged. “That’s a dumb rule. I’d stick around. I want to see what powers you develop.”

Confusion spread through her. They would stay? Put their lives at risk?

“Why?” She needed to know.

Damien gave her a sideways smile. “I don’t like doing what Alastor says.”

Miller groaned and rolled his eyes at Damien. “I’m not going to let you die, Daria. What kind of friend would I be?”

Friend
. She had never considered them friends. Ever. She always thought of Miller as competition. Maybe her life wasn’t as lonely as she had always thought.

Daria smiled up at Jason. For a brief moment last night, she had wished she were just a regular human. But then she would have never met Jason. That thought alone made it all worth it. Now she understood she wouldn’t have met any of them, never would have known they were willing to help her. After she developed powers—and she hoped it was something awesome—she planned to repay them for their kindness.

Most importantly, she planned to fight for Jason’s love.

A ping came from Daria’s kitchen and Jason’s hand trembled as he reached inside the oven. Had his father finally consented to an audience? But no. It came from his brother.

He scanned the contents and his heart slammed against his chest.

“A coalition is coming for Daria,” he announced. “Water sprites are expected tomorrow morning.” He continued reading. “Alastor wants to meet tonight at Club Triple Six to discuss strategy.”

“You should come to my house,” Miller offered immediately.

“I think Hell is safer,” Damien asserted. “You should come live with me.”

Jason read the note again and suspicion tugged the back of his mind. More demons. Almost all of the attacks had come from demons. He glanced at Damien. Had the House of Demons begun to lose control of its subjects?

“Alastor is expecting thousands.” With those words Jason effectively stopped all conversation. “Apparently it’s the first group. There will be others later.”

Daria sank into a chair. Blood had drained from her face, leaving her white as snow. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

Jason folded the note and stuck it in his pocket. “All demons.”

“Hey, don’t look at me.” Damien brushed off Jason’s pointed observation with his big hands extended in innocence. “I didn’t tell them to go after her. Everyone has the right to eat her flesh and drink her blood.”

Daria winced and turned away.

When Miller had shown up with the potions and charms, Jason had guessed what they had planned. Daria never liked to rely on anyone and she had indulged him enough already. Sooner or later, he had suspected she would want to take control of her fate again. But it had all happened a little faster than he would have liked.

As much as he wanted her to lean on him, he knew she would try everything in her power first. He hoped when push came to shove, she knew to come to him for help.

Ignoring the bickering, Jason strode to Daria and knelt down in front of her. “You’re not giving up already, are you?”

She pursed her lips and didn’t reply. He vowed, “We’ll get through this. I promise.”

Determination returned to her eyes even as she swallowed. He squeezed her hand. “I have to leave for a few hours to see my father. I want to ask his permission to marry you.” He glanced around the room. “You’ll be safe with everyone here.”

Her hand continued to clutch his and though her eyes implored him to stay, she finally let go. With a bright smile, she nodded.

He stood and stepped into the shadows.

The trip took no more than a few seconds and when the shadows turned to light, he found himself in his room at his family’s villa. He hadn’t been here in centuries, but it appeared the servants remembered to clean and dust his room. Everything was as he left it.

He trailed his fingers over the leather-bound books lining the shelves. The rocking chair he sat in while watching the sunrise still nestled in the corner by the window. He opened a drawer and picked up the wooden sword he played with as a child. All exactly the same.

Five hundred years since the last time he set foot here, after Alice died. He hadn’t seen his father since. His father had felt disgraced that his youngest son had let a few demons best him. Jason hadn’t waited for his father to cast him out, but left on his own.

His clothes had changed automatically and he now wore the black trench with buckles in the front, the black undershirt, black pants, and the black boots. His shoulder tingled slightly and he knew the symbol of their House had now turned into the real thing. By force of habit, he rubbed his shoulder, imagining the unmarred skin after the tattoo manifested itself.

A knock came at the half-open door and a servant stood just outside, at attention. “His lord is waiting for you in the library.”

Jason nodded and followed the servant, winding down the long hallways he knew so well. He’d spent his entire life within these walls and as he grew older and apart from his brother and father, the labyrinthine paths became a comfort for him. There were endless places to hide to avoid them.

They stopped in front of the double doors. The servant bowed and left him alone. He allowed himself a second to straighten his thoughts before knocking.

“Come in.”

Jason opened the door and strode in. Scrolls from civilizations long since destroyed lined one wall, while books from more recent times covered another. Large leather couches dominated the center of the room, where his father Luke sat, reading a book. His mother was nowhere in sight. Luke seemed like any other man perusing a book in a library, and not the fear-inspiring ruler of the supernatural realm.

Sometimes Jason was in awe of how much Alastor looked like their father. They had the same golden blond hair and sky blue eyes. Since their kind didn’t age, they all appeared to be in their early thirties, including his mother, whom he took after. There was always a part of him that wondered if his father hated him because he didn’t resemble that side of the family.