Whispers of Darkness (The Deadwood Hunter Series) (15 page)

“Shush, I won’t die, I promise, Linc. You’ll never have to be in a world without me.”

She opened her eyes and moved her head to the side. When he looked up at her, his eyes filled with unshed tears, he looked so vulnerable, so broken, and she knew he would only ever let her see him this way.

“I promise. I won’t die,” she whispered as she kissed each one of his salty tears from his cheeks.

Caden lounged in a tree, his leopard tail twitching backwards and forwards in irritation and anger. He’d never fully appreciated before how nice it was to escape the intensity of human feelings by shifting cat. They were still there, of course, but in a different way. The pain and heartache he felt watching Lexia slip away didn’t break him now like it had been doing only moments before. He couldn’t face Lincoln like he was. He needed to get control of himself and come back and fight some more, pump more drugs into her, clean wounds, and change dressings.

Lexia might have given up, but he wouldn’t, he’d fight until the end. The problem was, he knew, all his efforts, all his work meant nothing if she didn’t want to live. He’d been a doctor for a long time now, seen miracles, seen people come back from things that had seemed impossible to survive but every one of those people had fought to live, had clung onto any shred of hope. He knew she could beat this if she wanted to. He’d seen the full power of her will, seen her come back from near death, so why had she given up? Why wasn’t she fighting? He knew the answer; he just didn’t know what to do with it. Lexia saw herself as a product of evil, she saw herself as the monster her mother wanted, but what she didn’t see was that the gifts she had were only as strong as they were from her sheer will to protect those she loved. He’d studied her DNA and couldn’t seem to work out what made her so vastly different from the other Hunters. Yes, she was different, but Caden thought it was her heart, her will, her soul, that made Lexia so strong, so unbeatable.

He jumped down from the tree, took off silently, running the perimeter around what once had been his home. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know what to say to her so that she would see what everyone else saw. He only knew she couldn’t die because if she did he’d not only lose her, he’d lose his best friend. Lincoln had survived a lot but losing Lexia was one thing he knew Lincoln would never come back from.

When his leopard body was worn from running, his emotions numbed by sheer exhaustion, Caden shifted and pulled on the clothes he’d stashed. He walked into Lincoln’s family home and took a seat next to Caleb. They both sat in silence, grim looks on their faces, but when Lincoln walked in and took a seat opposite them, he murmured, “She’s asleep.” As Caden looked at his friend he saw something within the depths of his golden brown eyes, something he’d not seen in a while and it both frightened him and elated him in the same breath. He saw hope.

Hope.

The smallest of flickers but it was there and he had no idea what had caused it to shine in his eyes but he hoped to God it was Lexia finally coming back into this fight.

Lincoln grumbled about food, slumping back into the chair.

Caden laughed the first laugh he’d laughed in weeks. “I’ll fix you something, mate,” he said, clapping him on the shoulder.

In the early hours of the morning a day later Caden walked into Lexia’s bedroom, his footsteps silent so not to wake her and Lincoln. As he looked over her and checked her vitals he found the cause of that shred of hope Lincoln was hanging onto. He saw the true power of Lexia’s will; she’d started to heal, only slightly, but at last she was healing. At last he dared to dream they’d all make it through this alive.

Lexia opened her eyes and for the first time in what felt like forever, they didn’t water and sting from the light. She laid there for a moment, just staring at the ceiling, slowly moving her fingers, her hands, her legs, assessing how she felt; her body ached but not from pain, from lack of use.

She smiled, her cheeks feeling stiff. Taking a deep breath Lexia sat up. Her body creaked and cracked, muscles groaning in protest. She leaned back against the headboard and looked around the room. The furniture was old and decorative, dark wood with carved flower details. The blanket wrapped around her looked like it had been handmade, the wooden floorboards had thick cream rugs covering them. The room looked old-fashioned, like nothing had been changed in years and yet everything looked well kept.

Lexia looked at her hand, she had an IV and was hooked up to whatever Caden had been giving her and as she moved around a bit more her bladder full she realized she had a catheter in, too. Lexia closed her eyes and tried not to freak out about the places Caden had been. He was a doctor, he’d helped her get better but still she mentally cringed and wanted to hide under the covers forever.

She reached over for the water jug on the bedside table. Her throat felt so dry and her tongue thick and fluffy, every breath into her lungs scratched and burned. But as her hand clasped the jug and started to lift it, her muscles just gave way. She was still weak and the jug and water clattered to the floor.

“Shit!” she breathed as water soaked into the rug and pounding feet started up the stairs.

Lincoln ran into the room first followed by Caden and then an older man, his dark hair sprinkled with grey. They all froze staring at her like she was some illusion. Lexia frowned when they still stood frozen, jaws slightly ajar.

“What’s a girl got to do to get a drink around here?” she croaked.

Their eyes widened for a moment and then they all moved into action at once, cursing and falling over each other whilst they all lunged for the now empty jug.

Lexia couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up her throat. What was wrong with them?

“Easy now, boys!” she laughed, which caused her to start coughing.

“I’ll go get water,” the older man said, holding the jug in the air like it was a prize.

“How are you?” Lincoln breathed, clasping her hand as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Better,” Lexia whispered.

Caden came to her other side and took her wrist. He listened to her heart rate and then took her blood pressure, Lexia let him poke and prod, her eyes never leaving Lincoln’s. “How are you, Linc?” she asked.

Rubbing his hand through his hair, the long strands falling back and into his eyes, he let out a deep breath. “I’ve been better, to be honest.”

“I’m sorry for making you worry,” she answered, glancing at Caden as well. “You both need haircuts,” Lexia smiled, pleased when they both laughed at her.

“Erm, er, your water.”

Lexia looked up at the older man as her entered the room. “Thanks, I don’t think we’ve met properly, I’m Lexia, thank you for letting us stay in your house.”

“Oh erm, well, we have met but you were half passed out. I’m Caleb but this isn’t my house.”

Lexia gulped down the water looking at the three men as they had a silent argument with only scowls.

“Hmm, I can see you’re keeping something from me, Linc. Never mind, I always find out the truth in the end, I’ll be able to beat it out of you sooner or later,” she laughed. “Right, out. I want a word with my Doc here.”

Caleb walked and left but Lincoln still sat clasping her hand, “You too.”

“What? I can stay, it’s only Cade.”

“Out!”

Caden chuckled as Lincoln left the room with a grumble.

“What’s up, Lexi?” Caden said when they were alone.

“Always with the Lexi, it’s so sweet and girly,” she answered, wrinkling her nose.

“You are sweet,” he said with a smile.

“Hmm, only letting you get away with calling me, Lexi... Now, about this IV and catheter.”

“Lex, you’ve only just started to get better.”

“I can get to the freaking toilet!”

“Can you?”

“Better than sitting here like an invalid. Now take it out before I can never look you in the face again!”

“Okay but you keep the IV. You’re still on antibiotics and you still need fluids until you have more strength.”

“Deal,” Lexia said, laying back and pulling the covers over her head. “Hurry up and get it over with!”

Lexia started to feel better with each day that passed, but she was still weak and could only manage a little while out of bed. As each day passed she grew more impatient at her slow recovery. Lexia knew it was only a matter of time before they were found and now she had to avoid being cut when fighting. She didn’t realize how much she took her healing ability for granted. When she dived into a fight headfirst she never even noticed the cuts they slashed into her flesh, she only noticed one thing, the power that flowed through her veins and the ease at which that power took life.

That’s what she hated most about herself, when she was completely lost in the blood lust that took over, nothing mattered, nothing but making sure every one of her enemies lay dead at her feet.

It had been a week since she’d started to heal again when she woke and sat up in bed, Lincoln still asleep beside her, and her body felt more alert, more alive. Lexia looked down at the IV still in her hand; Caden had been reluctant to take it out, apparently her body burned off the drugs he’d been giving her faster than an ordinary human. She had enough of it though, whatever painkiller he gave her, it was strong and she didn’t need it. Her wounds had all but healed, just scarring and new pink skin covered her shoulder where Caden had ripped her to shreds.

She looked at Lincoln to make sure he was still sound asleep and then ripped the IV from her hand. It was time she joined back into this fight, time she started to train again. She’d chosen to live, to fight, and sitting around in bed wasn’t going to help them all live through this battle. She had to be strong, she had to be able to run and fight when the Hunters came knocking at the door.

Slipping out of bed, Lexia ignored the dizziness that took over her and forced her legs to stay upright. She had no clothes here and didn’t want to go rummaging around the drawers of someone else’s home. Whomever’s it was, she knew the house was connected to Lincoln, the pictures that hung on the walls proved that. She knew the little boy in the photos was Lincoln and the man and woman must be his parents but she hadn’t asked, he’d tell her when he was ready.

Opening the front door she walked out of the house for the first time since being here. There was nothing but forest before her. The house looked to be in the middle of a clear patch, just a few trees scattered the land. With bare feet Lexia stepped down from the porch and started to walk around, taking in her surroundings and the house she’d been stopping in. It was a beautiful house, all wood, which had gone silver-grey with age, a veranda wrapped around the front and right side. She looked up at the little window in the center of the house, nestled in a little apex. She wondered what was in that room, the only room in the house that had had
its door shut. She’d not seen anyone go in there and Caden slept downstairs on the sofa so it couldn’t be a spare bedroom.

Making her way across the clearing Lexia stopped when she thought she was far enough away so as not to wake the men in the house and then she started to move. She stretched and bent her body, mixing some yoga with a few jabs and kicks. Sweat broke out over her skin instantly and her breathing became heavy. Her muscles protested as they were stretched and worked after weeks of doing nothing other than being still. She tucked her knee in to her chest, tried not to cringe as the muscles burned and spun slowly, kicking out, but her leg gave out and she collapsed to the floor.

“Fuck it!” Lexia muttered, dragging her ass off the floor.

“You’re going to overdo it.”

Lexia looked behind her. Caleb stood nearby, leaning against a tree. The early morning sun filtered through the trees behind him catching his grey hairs making his hair sparkle. She stretched down again, pointing her right leg out and stretching over reaching with her left hand, feeling every muscle stretch and burn.

“Probably but if I don’t push myself, I’ll end up dead, along with the rest of you.”

“Linc and Cade are hardly harmless,” he answered with a smirk.

She stretched the opposite way, her left leg stretching far easier than her right. “Neither are my enemies,” she answered, tucking her leg in and jabbing it out.

“And who might they be? And why would a young thing like you want to be fighting when she has shifters to protect her?”

Lexia burst out laughing and turned to face him, grasping her foot with her hand and pulling it up to her bum.

“Linc has told you nothing, ay?”

“I’m beginning to think so, yes.”

“Tell me, whose house is this?” Lexia asked, switching feet.

“Not my place to say,” Caleb answered, looking uneasy.

Lexia smiled mischievously. “You chicken?”

Caleb laughed now. “No, I’m not chicken.”

“Good, let’s make a deal. I get you on your ass, you tell me what you know about this house and what it means to Linc. And don’t go telling me it has nothing to do with him, I can see it in his eyes, that house is connected to him somehow.”

“You’re covered in sweat from a few workout moves, Lexia. I’m not going to damage you further by fighting.”

“As I thought... Chicken.” Lexia started to walk towards him, her hands balled into fists. She hated it when people just assumed she was a princess in need of saving. He was probably right, she’d probably end up straining something but she was fed up just laying about, of the hushed whispers and secrets all around her. It was time she got some answers.

Caleb pushed off the tree, his eyes widening. “Lexia, I’m not fighting you! You’re hardly dressed, Linc would kill me!”

“I’ve got a T-shirt and shorts on, it’s not like I’m in my underwear.” She spun and kicked out but her head spun and the kick only caught the side of him but still he stumbled.

“See you’re still not one hundred percent, if you want to spar when your better, we can, but not until Linc says
it’s okay.”

“Jeez, he doesn’t own me and I can fight.” She jabbed out with her hand, caught him in the face.

His beast flashed into his eyes. “You’re stronger than you look but still I’m not touching my alpha’s mate without permission.”

His words nearly stopped her.
Alpha’s mate?
But instead she pushed forward, determined now to put him on his ass. “Alpha’s mate? Interesting!”

He blocked her jabs; she panted hard, sweat dripping down her face, her feet skimmed the forest floor, nimble and light, towards him as he carried on backing away.

“Stop being a pussy and fight back!” Lexia yelled, angry now.

She kicked out but he dodged it. She spun and tried to clasp his body to pull him down, his hands wrapped around her waist.

“Stop, Lex.”

“No!” She jabbed backwards with her elbow, he grunted but wouldn’t let go so she brought her head forward and slammed it back into his face.

He fell back with a growl and Lexia fell forward, her vision blurring, but she spun around anyway, looking for him through blurry eyes.

“You want to fight? Let’s fight!” Caleb snapped.

She smiled as her head stopped spinning and Caleb advanced toward her, cat in his eyes, blood dripping from his nose. He was quick and agile, his jabs were still light, though, and he never aimed for her face. Lexia blocked his advances, tiring by the second.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…

“What’s wrong, Lexia? Not up for it?” Caleb laughed as she bent over from a jab to her stomach.

“I’ve had worse,” she replied, kicking him in the gut.

He stumbled back a few steps. “Hmm, I’m beginning to see... So tell me Lexia, why has a pretty little thing like you had to learn to fight?”

She was about to answer as she blocked a jab and landed one on his jaw in return but Lincoln’s growl echoed around them. They both froze, eyes widening, but Lexia recovered first; she’d pissed Lincoln off so many times what did it matter if she added another to the list.

She jabbed again in his gut, he stumbled with a grunt and then she spun, tucking her leg in and striking him square in his chest. Caleb fell back to the floor stunned. Lexia was about to cheer in her victory but her head spun again and her leg gave out like before and she fell to the floor along with him.

Ignoring Lincoln as he shouted and started to run to her, Lexia burst out laughing, “Ha I won! Caleb you hit the floor first.”

She wasn’t sure he’d heard her, his eyes were fixed on Lincoln as he raced with a look of rage on his face.

“Hey Caleb,” she nudged her foot against his leg, “don’t worry about him, he’ll get over it.”

Lincoln skidded to a stop besides her. “Lexia!” he growled, but she ignored him, nudging Caleb again.

“I won,” she smiled, as his face turned to her. But instead of smiling back a look of horror crossed his features. Lexia started to look behind her wondering what had caused that face when she felt his hands gripping her throat, her feet being lifted from the ground.

A startled yelp left her as Lincoln’s panther ripped from his skin and Caden started to run over. Caleb’s hand started to tighten around her throat cutting off her oxygen as Lincoln advanced.

“Stop! Stop or I snap her neck!” Caleb bellowed, making Lincoln freeze.

“No Caleb, no leave her!” Caden called.

“What the fuck’s going on?” Lexia croaked as she started to fade, her fingers dug into Caleb’s trying to pry them from her throat.

“You brought a fucking Hunter here! Tainted our land!” Caleb snapped.

Lincoln hissed, snapping his jaws. “You didn’t tell him what I was?” Lexia whispered as black blobs floated in front of her eyes.

“Caleb listen, listen this isn’t what you think. She’s not what you think, please just let her go and we’ll explain.” Caden’s urgent voice floated in her mind.

Lexia started to go slack in Caleb’s arms. Her fingers fell away from his hands as her head twisted up to look into Caleb’s face seeing a mixture of anger, confusion, and pain on his features.

“I’m good,” she whispered, “I’m your alpha’s mate and I’m good.” Caleb glanced at her, his eyes full of pain. He loosened his hold on her throat and Lexia gasped for breath as he lowered her to the ground.

Caleb took off into the trees and Lincoln started to chase him. “No Lincoln, no!” Lexia rasped before blacking out.

When Lexia woke she was back in bed.
Freaking bed again!
She grumbled in her head as she sat.

“Hey there,” Linc said from the window.

“How long was I out?”

“Not long and your bruises have started to go, too... Guess your super powers are starting to work again.”

“Caleb come back yet?”

“No, Caden’s out looking for him.”

“Linc why didn’t you tell him?”

Lincoln turned and looked at her, his eyes guarded. “Because I knew how he would react. He’s been out here for years alone because of the Hunters.”

Lexia sighed, “You shouldn’t have lied. How am I supposed to accept what I am if you’re ashamed of me?”

He darted forward grabbing her hand. “No, no I’m not ashamed of you, never.”

“No, well stop lying all the time, stop keeping things from me. I’m not a child, Linc, I can handle the truth.”

“I know you can, it’s me who struggles. If I don’t tell you things it’s because I’m not ready to face the truth.”

Lexia pulled Lincoln forward, she’d had enough of all the high emotions lately, of the secrets and worries; it was about time they got a lost in each other for a while.

“Careful Lex!” he gasped.

“Oh for god sake!” Lexia sighed, she pulled him harder and flipped him over, pinning him to the bed with her thighs. “Now that’s better.” She smiled, pulling her T-shirt over her head. “It’s been a while.”

“But Lex-” His words turned into a strangled cry as she rocked hard against him.

“I won’t break, I need you, and I can tell you need me,” she said, rocking against him again.

His eyes filled with desire, a small smile playing on his lips. In the next breath Lexia was pinned beneath him, her hands clasped above her head. She gasped as he took her bare nipple into his mouth; there was no playing, no teasing, he took all he wanted and Lexia gave it freely.

Her hands freed, she roamed his strong shoulders, dragging her nails up the wide V of his back. Pulling his T-shirt over his head she desperately needed to feel his skin, she craved him more then she’d ever craved anything in her life. Memories of the past month flooded her, lonely nights without him, the pain of thinking she’d lost him, failed him. So much was in the balance, so many threats over their heads and she just wanted to forget it all. She didn’t want to fight or worry, she just wanted to feel him, she wanted to get lost in him.

“Now! I need you now!” she rasped, biting into his muscled shoulder, pulling him tighter against herself, but it just wasn’t enough. She’d never get enough of him, he was an addiction she could never satisfy, never wanted to satisfy. The feelings he made her feel, the swelling of her heart, the ache in her chest, the uncontrollable need to feel him inside of her, it made her crazy, made her forget everything. She never wanted that to go away, that feeling was what kept her alive, what she breathed for, she’d do anything and sacrifice anything for it.