Dark Surrender (The Dark Ones Saga Book 3) Read online

  I didn’t want to have to say it.

  At all.

  But nobody was speaking.

  “Damn it.” I ran my fingers through my hair, my hands shaking with the movement. “Any emotion you feel, he will feel, but he’ll drain it from you so as to keep you from… attracting attention.”

  “I don’t even know who he is!” She yelled, getting frantic again.

  “He’s a powerful demon.” Ethan spoke first. “One who cheerfully plays whatever side suits him. For now, he’s on our side.”

  “But never good,” I said quickly. “Demons are never good. Understand? They’re born out of evil—”

  Cassius huffed next to me.

  “Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. “You have maybe one percent of their blood in your system. Maybe if you had more, you’d be able to remove his mark!”

  Hope’s lower lip quivered. “Am I going to have this forever?”

  I hung my head. “Until he calls his power back… yes.”

  She sent me a hurt expression that had me ready to slit my wrists in dramatic fashion — like that would solve everything?

  “Why?”

  “I think…” Cassius tilted his head. “He was trying to protect you.”

  “From Bannik?” Genesis piped up.

  “No.” Cassius’s eyes jerked away from mine. “From Alex.”

  Hope

  I WAS SENT to my room.

  Well, not really my room — but Alex’s. Which made everything that much worse. I was afraid to touch anything.

  And it didn’t help that his scent was everywhere — to be completely honest, it freaked me out that I knew what he smelled like, that the pillow I was resting my head on was so delicious I’d been tempted to stuff my face in it and suck in a giant breath.

  That was just what I needed, Alex to walk in on me sniffing his pillows like I was committing a crime. The man was arrogant enough, and I hated that he knew the effect he had on women.

  Why had I been able to control myself around him before?

  And now? Now I wanted to touch him every single moment we had together.

  My body and my mind were at war with one another. It was completely exhausting and depressing.

  “This is ridiculous,” I grumbled to myself. What was I supposed to do? It wasn’t like it was humanly possible for me to relax, not with the creepy tattoo wrapping itself around my body.

  Any normal person would be freaked out.

  I think if anyone deserved a time out — it was me.

  Granted, I’d known about the immortals, but going from knowing about them, to actually living with them was a giant stretch even by their standards, right? I mean, my little brain wasn’t exactly accustomed to seeing things like Cassius suddenly breathe ice into the room, or Ethan suck off of his wife’s neck, or even Mason — the man had clawed the crap out of the couch by accident! His nails could have impaled me if I was an inch closer to him.

  That wasn’t normal.

  And then there was Alex.

  I sighed as my body heated.

  Alex. Alex. Alex.

  I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to force all sexy thoughts of him away from my brain.

  He really wasn’t that pretty to look at.

  Because he was too pretty.

  Prettier than me.

  By a long shot.

  If you stared at us side by side, you’d think he was doing charity or something. It was that bad.

  Then again, he even made the rest of the immortals pale in comparison.

  “Stupid Alex,” I muttered.

  “You called?” A silk voice wrapped itself around me, warmth invaded my fingertips as my heart fluttered.

  Alex loomed over the bed. At least he was clothed. A white T-shirt had somehow glued itself to his body making sure that every single muscle strain was visible. His black leather pants so weren’t helpful.

  They were tight.

  Why leather? Why not jeans?

  “They itch.” Alex said, answering my thoughts. “Besides, I like soft things against my skin, don’t you?”

  He was doing it again, his eyes dilated as his mouth slowly descended.

  I met him halfway, unable to stop myself.

  But the minute our lips touched a searing pain erupted up my arm and wrapped around my neck.

  I tried to suck in a breath.

  And nothing…

  There was no air.

  Alex’s horrified gaze shifted to fury as he gripped me by the arms holding me against his chest, pounding me against the back. “Breathe.”

  I’m trying! I screamed the thought at him.

  “Shhh.” His hand slid down my back as he pressed my ear against his chest, his heart thudded slowly against my ear. “Breathe in and out.”

  So I did.

  I listened to his heart and then placed my hand there too, because it felt good, it felt warm, not hot, comforting.

  In fact, the slight buzzing I’d had around him was completely gone, and in its place, I finally felt normal again.

  So normal that I wasn’t ready to beg him for sex.

  The alarm on the bedside table rang.

  Alex shoved me away and cursed. “I’ll go get Mason.”

  I found my voice. “What? Why? What’s going on, and why can’t I breathe?”

  “So the prince’s kiss is poison,” Alex mused out loud. “Timber must have thought it would be amusing to protect you from power — all soul-sucking power and since I’m a siren and we feed off of emotions, just like demons… I can’t…” He paled. “I can’t touch you without hurting you.”

  “But without touching me—” I swallowed. “Without…” I squinted up at his beautiful face. “You could die, right?”

  “Eh, I’ve lived long enough.” He smirked.

  “That’s not funny!” I jumped to my feet and swayed toward him, happy that I could actually be in the same room with him without thinking dirty thoughts, but even with his powers dulled toward me, I still wanted his hands all over my body. Damn him.

  “Am I laughing?” Alex shrugged. “The best I can do is keep you alive until Timber stops playing his childish little game of Gotcha…. Mason can at least…” He gulped as tension filled his gaze, fists clenched he said through clenched teeth. “Please you. Touch you. While I can’t.”

  I shook my head as tears filled my line of vision. “You’re just going to pass me off now?”

  “Hell, no!” Alex roared. “You think I want him touching what’s mine? You think I’ll enjoy the fact that his dirty pinecone loving hands get to feel how silky your skin is while I sit downstairs and freaking burn?”

  I gasped.

  “You…” His eyes were back to that scary looking red, as a powerful shudder ran through him like a visible ripple across his muscled torso, his teeth snapped together, and the colors from his hair went completely black. I’d never seen him jealous — now I knew what it looked like — darkness itself. “…have no idea, the pain I feel when I can’t touch you.”

  He’d slipped.

  I knew it.

  He knew it.

  Because he’d just admitted that I wasn’t replaceable. And even though the situation was dire and terrifying, I found myself trying not to smile — even though he looked terrifying.

  “Smug little elf,” he teased.

  “Arrogant, hot-headed siren.”

  His grin grew. “I can hear your heart pound, your blood soar…” His black eyes rolled back into his head. “The pleasure I could bring you right now… The places I would take you.” He swayed toward me licking his lips like he could already taste me.

  My breath hitched. “Do it.”

  Alex’s face turned to stone. “Believe me, the pain wouldn’t be livable.”

  “But—” My palms began to sweat as his eyes scoured my body. Slowly, tendrils of heat pulsated between my legs as I clenched my thighs together and then cried out in pain. “Oh!”

  “Right.” He cursed.

  “Why Maso
n?” Pain burned me from the inside out, and all because what? Alex had tried to give me an orgasm without even touching me? Two days ago I would have been horrified. Right then? I was disappointed. What had he turned me into? “Why not Cassius, or Ethan?”

  With each name I mentioned Alex’s expression darkened more and more. “Werewolves are healers.” He gulped. “The others would hurt you. Cassius would freeze your ass. Ethan would end up sucking you dry because vampires just love blood, and he would lose all control. The last time he killed by accident, it was nearly impossible to live with him.”

  “Oh good, so it’s about his conscience.”

  “More or less.” He grinned with a wink. “Stephanie would most likely hurt you, she’s horrible with controlling her powers, and I take it you haven’t ever swung that direction. Am I right?”

  My cheeks heated. I gave him a jerky nod.

  “So that leaves.” He swore violently. “WOLF!”

  A pounding sounded on the stairs, and then Mason was in our room, panting, his brown hair wild around his face as he wiped a dirt smudge from his face. “What?”

  “Racing a turtle again?” Alex teased.

  Mason flipped him off then sniffed the air. “Something is off.”

  Alex pointed at me. “Tick-Tock.”

  With a growl, Mason clenched his hands. “And you expect me to do what? Lick her neck so she doesn’t die?”

  “If you’d be so kind.” Alex crossed his arms. “And try not to enjoy it so much.”

  “Wait.” I held up my hands, “I, um, I need a minute.”

  “Her heart is fluttering.” Mason eyed me sadly. “She doesn’t want me to lick her, Alex, she wants you.”

  “Well, I can’t touch her! I tried kissing her, and she nearly stopped breathing!”

  Mason let out a gruff whine. “That sucks those balls of monkeys.”

  “I think you mean that sucks monkey balls.” Alex swore again. “And it’s not like she needs actual sex like I do, she just needs… pleasure.”

  I jerked my head in Alex’s direction. “Explain.”

  “You, uh…” He winced. “Need to orgasm.”

  “Oh.” I shrugged. “Aren’t there tools for that sort of thing—?”

  Both Alex and Mason burst out laughing.

  “What?” My cheeks heated. “What’s so funny?”

  “Humans.” They muttered in unison.

  Embarrassment flooded my senses. “I don’t get it, if I just need an orgasm, then I can…” I shrugged. “You know?” I mean I wasn’t exactly experienced in that arena, not really, but… what choice did I have?

  Death?

  Wolf?

  Or me?

  “That is not an orgasm,” Alex said with a simple shrug of his shoulders. “Humans are imperfect creatures, they are not immortal. They are given a sliver of pleasure whenever they do anything sexual, but the power behind a true orgasm is held from them. Ergo, you could try, and I’m sure it would feel okay, but not compared to what either of us could do with a simple thought. Basically, your pitiful toys and ways to get off—” His expression reflected distaste. “Don’t count. It’s like running a mile versus running a marathon.”

  “Humans,” Mason muttered before stepping toward me and giving me a short bow. “It will be my honor to make you happy, Elf.”

  “Stop that.” Alex cursed behind him. “You’ll give her a big head. Now, pleasure her so I can go hunt Timber and rip his head off. I can only last a few more days before I die.”

  “Serious?” I asked the room.

  “As death.” Alex was still smiling, though it was frozen on his face, like he was trying to make me feel better about the fact that if he didn’t’ have sex with me, his mate, he was going to cease to exist.

  Mason touched my hand, as an electrical current from Alex slammed into me right along with the thought.

  “I’ll kill him for touching her.”

  “You’ve given me no choice,” Mason said out loud, right back at him.

  Wait. If I could hear Alex’s thoughts when Mason touched me.

  That meant… Alex’s power wasn’t blocked.

  And I felt no pain.

  I glanced between the two of them.

  It was either the best idea I’d ever had.

  Or the last one I’d ever think.

  I gulped and reached for Alex’s hand while still linked to Mason, and reached up on my tiptoes to kiss him.

  Alex

  MASON LET OUT a guttural moan as he shuddered next to me. Hope’s mouth fused to mine, her free hand winding through strands of my hair, tugging them free.

  Holy shit.

  I locked eyes with Mason while kissing her.

  A look of pure steel crossed his features.

  We were at an impasse.

  She wanted me.

  But she needed him in order to get me.

  I was selfish enough to be completely on board with him getting used — but at the same time, Mason… had been celibate for over a hundred years.

  So the fact that he was getting hit with the force of my arousal coupled with hers? Not to mention that we were mates.

  I was surprised he was still standing.

  And not panting or at least trying to hump the dresser.

  Hell, I was having a hard time not humping the dresser, and she was kissing me — kissing me.

  She tasted sweet. I cupped her hips with both hands and cursed as her tongue slipped past my lips.

  Her hand still firmly gripping Mason’s.

  It wasn’t an unfamiliar situation to be in — and it wasn’t arrogance speaking, just science. All creatures wanted me. I couldn’t help it.

  And right now, Mason was having a hell of a time not wanting Hope, even though he knew the rules.

  Mine.

  My mate.

  I had to give him credit — he was holding strong. Not moving an inch while she kissed me, so I allowed myself to close my eyes and drink in her kiss. Just a few more seconds, and then she deepened the kiss, the tips of her breasts pressed up against my chest.

  And I lost my freaking mind.

  I grabbed her by the ass and pulled her toward me, which caught Mason off guard completely jerking him against her backside.

  Leaving her between both of our bodies.

  With a shaky sigh, Mason rested his head on the back of hers, his hands sliding down her hips, grazing over my fingertips. I shook as every part of his skin grazed mine before coming into contact with hers.

  Swaying on my feet, I broke off the kiss and stared him down.

  He gulped as a bead of sweat trickled down his temple and slid down his chin.

  Can you handle this?

  No.

  Honest.

  It may kill me.

  Good way to go?

  You have no. Idea.

  Mason took a few ragged breaths and then slowly nodded at me, giving his consent, even if it was going to make him go insane.

  I was already halfway there.

  Twenty-four hours. Sirens hated going that long.

  And Hope? Her taste was addicting.

  She blinked up at me. “This works… right?”

  Mason grunted behind her.

  Guilt flashed across her face.

  I tilted her chin up with my thumb. “Trust me, he’s not suffering.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Mason gritted out. “I feel… everything.”

  Hope looked drugged. Hell, she was probably in little elf heaven. She wasn’t just drunk off of the feel of me — her mate.

  She was drunk off the power of being at the mercy of two immortals. Her eyes flickered closed as I ran a hand down her cheek and cupped her neck, and then I shared a look with Mason before he bent down and licked down the side, his tongue slowly ran down to her collarbone. I lunged for that exact spot, tasting the healing properties of his saliva right along with the fresh smell of rain on Hope.

  Mason pressed his hand against my back pulling the three of us so tightly together
that all I could do was inhale Hope, while watching his resolve crumble before my eyes.

  He was losing it.

  What did I expect? For Mason? A man more animal than anything? To survive a siren’s mating?

  “Hell, Mason.” I gripped his arm. “Focus.”

  “I’m trying,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “Damn it, tell anyone and I rip your paw from your arm.” I growled before I pulled him closer, until his mouth was inches from mine — and sucked the air between us.

  His horrified expression would have been priceless if it wasn’t so necessary that I take away some of his arousal.

  “Go ahead,” I encouraged, releasing his finally relaxed body into the arms of Hope’s.

  And then I was watching a jealous nightmare come to life, as I shared, not only part of my essence with him, but my mate.

  Kiss her, I commanded, able to control his movements since I’d taken control of his passion so fleetingly and infused the air with mine. He wouldn’t be able to help himself, and she’d only feel me — not him. Because in her mind, I was kissing her. I was touching her. And allowing Mason free rein.

  Because for a brief few seconds, I’d turned the wolf into a siren.

  God, I was good.

  When he broke away from her, he was sucking in air as if he hadn’t breathed a day in his life.

  I gripped his hand, feeling a tremor of pleasure run through his blood at the contact.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  “The hell you are,” he fired back.

  It wasn’t me he was attracted to.

  It wasn’t even Hope.

  It was the sexually charged air. He couldn’t help himself. In fact, I was surprised that none of the others had made it upstairs.

  Ah yes, an orgy. I’d been accused of worse in this house.

  It wouldn’t be the first or last time — not that it had happened since everyone had started selfishly mating all over the place.

  Hope’s eyes widened as she touched her lips. Both of us approached her on the bed. I placed her on the mattress slowly stripping every inch of clothing from her body while Mason watched.

  With each movement, he cursed me.

  He finally looked away.

  Not that it would help — he still felt us.

  He felt it all.