Black Moon

His green gaze went to hers, and she saw that his eyes were no longer the slitted ones of his cat. They were no longer feral, but sad. “My mate.”

“Yours.”

“Need you.”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t let him out,” A.J. told her. “You can’t trust him yet.”

The knowledge scored her heart. “I need you too,” she said, her voice catching. “But you have to stay there for now.”

“Need you,” he repeated plaintively.

But the battle in his soul still raged. Though there were no outward signs of anger, she could tell by his difficulty forming his thoughts into words that he was struggling. He still wasn’t “all there” and she couldn’t risk herself, their child, or the others.

“You’ll have me soon. I’m here.”

“Stay?”

“I will, promise.”

“What’s happening to me?” he whispered. “Why am I here?”

She bit her lip to keep from bawling. The good side of him had battled to the surface and couldn’t understand. When he’d lost it at that research facility, the rush of darkness had been too much. It had damaged something inside him, and she prayed he could recover.

“You’re not well, love. We’re trying to help you, but you have to try hard, too. Do you understand?”

“No. I want out.”

“I’m sorry.”

Head hanging, he slid to the floor and rested his head against the bars. He didn’t move again for a long time.

Mac sat on her cot and cried, hot, silent tears of misery.

* * *

The cold bars of the cell pressed into Kalen’s forehead. He sat still and tried to understand what was going on. Struggled to remember.

Why was he locked away like an animal? What had he done?

Flashes of memory assaulted him, but they were from other times, long past. Bad nights when he sold his body for a few dollars or a crummy meal. That was awful, but nobody had been hurt. Well, nobody but himself.

That wasn’t why he was here. And where was this?

The compound. Right. Block R, where Nick put the creatures who were almost beyond hope. Almost.

He scoured his brain. Where had he been tonight? Or last night? Something about a mission. A research facility . . .

You did well, my boy. I am very proud of your progress.

“What?” he rasped. “What did I do?”

You defeated my Sluagh, and while that is inconvenient for me, it is important training for you, son. You killed dozens of them and allowed the true predator in you to take over. The bloodlust became one with your soul, and you turned your rage on the one called Hunter.

“Ryon?” Sweet Jesus, no. “I killed him?”

If not for the untimely intervention of those meddling dogs, you would have. The war is near, and when the hour comes, you’ll help me destroy them all.

“No. I won’t do it.”

You will, and you will revel in their blood. Remember the pleasure of bathing in it, boy? Of feasting on your kill? That can be yours, always. You and I will rule, father and son. No one will stand against us.

“The blood was sweet.” God, no. He was losing his mind. Falling again.

Yes, son. It sustains us, the juices of our prey. Every night we will feast, not on those mangy Sluagh, but on young and succulent meat. Would you like that?

No, no. “Yes, Father.”

“Kalen?” a sweet voice called from far away. “Don’t listen to him! He’s poisoning your mind!” But her pleas faded.

I’ll bring the most beautiful specimens for us both, each night. They’ll be trembling with desire, eager to sacrifice themselves to the world’s most powerful creatures. They will be helpless against our seduction, spread their legs for us so we can feast on their essence before we slide our cocks deep.

Kalen panted, his cock lengthening in his jeans. Fought against the image, but hunger won. His cock throbbed as Malik continued.

You’re sinking your cock deep into your willing prey now. The tight clasp of heat writhes against you, and you own this body. You are lord and master and this is your due. More?

“Yes, please. Tell me how it will be.” He ground his hard cock underneath himself. Beyond saving.

You own your prey then, for that is what this body is—not woman or man. Simply a sacrifice to satisfy a superior beast. Your rod joins you both as you stroke inside, fanning your flame. Seeking the ultimate high. Just before the peak, you sink your fangs into the delicate throat. Do you taste the sweet, warm blood?

“So good,” he moaned.

It fills your mouth as your prey screams out a release of joy at having experienced this joining. Of being your Chosen One for the evening, your body to enjoy. The prey dances on your cock as you fill it with your seed, until at last the life force begins to leave it. You take the soul into yourself, this precious gift.

His cock erupted, spasming on and on as the decadent scene ended. So wicked.

The sacrifice your prey has given to you is an honor and shall not be wasted. You tear into the throat and feast, and soon move on to the heart, for that is the best meat and will sustain you until the next night. This I promise you.

“You promise,” he whispered.

Yes. You are my son. You are the prince of the Unseelie, and this is your destiny.

“Father, I’ve waited for you for so long. No one else ever wanted me.”

I know, my son. We’ll be together. In mere hours, it will all be over. You know what to do.

He did, and though the light fought to defeat the darkness, it dimmed to almost nothing. “I’ll lower the shields.”

Good. And then?

“I’ll kill them for you. Kill them all!”

Except the woman. She carries our future.

“Of course.” He frowned, but the wisp of light faded away again.

My Sluagh are coming, by the hundreds. You will fight at my side. And when it’s all over you’ll be rewarded with your first prey. Save your appetite.

He laughed. “Can’t wait.”

* * *

“Oh my fucking God,” A.J. croaked, stunned. He stared at Kalen curled on the floor of his cell, consumed by Malik’s poison. They’d heard enough of the Sorcerer’s side of the conversation to glean what was about to go down. “That’s not Kalen anymore. I’m calling Nick.”

Sobbing, Mac fled Block R. She didn’t know where she was going at first, only that she had to get out of there, now.

Help. She had to get help. She’d get Melina and they’d give him the sedative after all. At least he’d be unable to carry out his father’s orders.

“Oh, no. No!”

She’d lost the man she loved to the evil that had stalked him all his life.

And had finally won.