Free Hot Decadent Rising (Breath of Darkness) by Candice Stauffer Page A

the way his body remained limp that he was in rough
shape.    
    Zack raised his head and looked directly
into Eli’s eyes for a few seconds and then, eyes glowing red, he met Nikolas’
gaze. “Go away.”
    “No,” Nikolas said.
    Straightening his shoulders and knees,
Zack stood full height. “Leave me.” His voice was nothing more than guttural
whisper, but the promise of brutal retaliation if they defied him rang loud and
clear.
    “You know I can’t.” Nikolas moved toward
Zack.   
    “Back off,” Zack growled. He exuded
utter darkness. He’d been transformed into creature similar to a corrupted
vampire, but he was far more powerful and intelligent. His relentless thirst
for human blood, like a pounding heart, thrummed in the atmosphere.
    “You were all wrong. Look at him. He’s a
blood recipient rather than a donor. His blood is too tainted to be of any
value to anyone.”
    “He’s both. But he’s fine. Being a demon
nothing could ever completely destroy his blood.”
    “Wait. You aren’t planning to allow him
to live, are you?” Eli asked. “If he escapes he will slaughter thousands of
your precious humans before you have any hope of stopping him. We have to
destroy him.”
    Zack glared at Eli. “I would love for
you to try.”
    “He isn’t a coldblooded killer. He’s in
control.”
    “Of what?” Eli asked.
    Seemingly ignoring Eli, Nikolas moved
forward and stood in front of Zack. “I know you’re confused right now. I need
you to trust me. Let me help you.”
    “You need to help Demetri’s mate. Find
Sara before he does. When he kills Sara his immortality will belong to Mary.
She has more power and control than any of us thought possible.”
    “Do you know how Sara has hidden from
him for so long?” Nikolas asked.
    Zack shrugged. “Your guess is as good as
mine.” He paused. “I crave human blood, Nikolas. I can’t fight it. I fear that
I must be destroyed.”
     “For thousands of years you have
protected mankind from being destroyed by corrupt vampires and other evil
forces. It was what you were created for. The power of your blood is absolute.
It can’t be destroyed by the blood of the undead. I see Emily’s image in your
mind. You’ve found your mate. You believe you’re protecting her by staying
away. That’s why you’re asking me to kill you. You can take the easy way out. I
wouldn’t blame you. Who would? But have you considered the fact that Demetri is
using Emily to find you? What will he do to her when she fails to lure you in?
You have a purpose. Getting her the hell away from Demetri is imperative.”
    “I’ve already taken her away. She’s
safe. Once we kill Demetri and Mary you will go to her. You will look after
her.”
    “Where did you take her?” Nikolas asked.
    “My home.”
    “You expect her to stay there?”
    Zack shrugged. “Of course. I told her to
stay.”
    Nikolas laughed. “You have a lot to
learn about women.”
    “You think my mate would disobey me?”
Zack frowned. He looked perplexed. “I promised her I’d come back to her, but I
now know I can never go to her again. I would kill her. When she’s near her
blood awakens something terrible in me. I can’t control it.”
    “You’re already controlling it. Trust me
controlling an insatiable thirst for her blood will always be a hell of a lot
simpler than it will ever be to get her to obey.  Go to her. Keep her
close.”
    “But…”
     “If you were wholly consumed by
evil you wouldn’t give a damn about her. You would’ve gone to her. You would’ve
used her to satisfy the thirst you’re struggling to deny.”
    “I took her blood. I nearly killed her.”
    “You didn’t kill her. Go to her. Take
care of her.”
     Eli grabbed Nikolas’ arm and spun
him around. “You aren’t thinking clearly. He’s too dangerous. He knows it. He’s
trying to tell you that. You can’t let him go to her. She was been turned. His
blood has been tainted. They both have to be destroyed.”