Free The Darkness Within by Jaime Rush Page A

breath on her chin. “But who is he to you? To your daughter?”
    “He’s just some punk. My daughter felt a draw to him, brought him home for dinner one night, years ago. When I sensed what he was, what he held, I sent him away. I didn’t want him near her.”
    His mouth tightened into a hard line. “Because he’s like me.”
    She nodded.
    “A monster. That’s what you called me the first time I Became in front of you. Interesting that your daughter brought home my son.” He laughed. “That must have been deliciously ironic.” His smile faded. “But you rejected us both. Seems like you can’t get rid of Darkness. Because here I am. And there he was. Tell me everything you know about him: where he lives, what he does.”
    “They haven’t seen each other in years, so if he’s with her, I have no idea how or why. He was a kid the last time I saw him. How should I know what he does or where he lives?” That much was true. “Leave them alone. They’re no threat to you.” She didn’t want him to know that Tucker had lived with them. The less he knew of him, the better.
    “But they are. Someone killed a man last night. Torus wants a clean sweep of any loose ends we might have left. My son is one. Your daughter is another.”
    “My daughter certainly didn’t kill that man. Leave her alone.”
    “No, she didn’t, but she holds our DNA. And your abilities, which could bring unwanted attention to her.”
    Carrie couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her throat. She would beg, if she had to, but it wouldn’t matter. There was no reasoning with Elgin. But he wasn’t the cold man she remembered. Now she saw heat in his eyes. Anger.
    He still held her face, but with less pressure. “The last time I found you, I watched you before I made my presence known. You never touched me like you did him. Never wanted me like that. No, you cowed away from me. Even before I tapped into Darkness, you didn’t want me like that. Why him and not me?”
    Was he actually hurt by her rejection?
    “You had no emotions. No heart. No tenderness. You wanted me but you didn’t love me.”
    “You complained that I was cold. You were the oddball, with your feelings and desires. When I heard that Darkness brought passion, I tapped into it for you.”
    She shook her head. “No. Don’t say that.”
    He gave her a grave nod that sunk her stomach. How many ruined lives could she be responsible for? How many losses?
    Now he stroked his fingers down the sides of her cheeks. “You were always mine. I feel you inside me. As angry as I am with you, I don’t want to kill you. The problem is you’re supposed to be dead. Others live nearby, and if they know you’re here, they’ll report it to Torus. He’ll kill you, and me, too. I’ve lost enough because of you.” He placed his hand over the front of his pants. “Do you want to know how Torus punished us for resorting to the company of human women? He castrated us, thinking that would kill our desire.”
    She sucked in a breath, and yet, felt a sense of relief. But no, she didn’t see a lack of desire in his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
    Beneath his hand, though, she saw a bulge form. Was he lying? He looked smug.
    “I discovered a new way to use Darkness. It’s amazing how it can be manipulated.”
    Horror froze her as she put it together. She tried to wipe it from her face, turning away.
    He crawled into the bed with her, laying his leg on top of her, his arm across her chest. “I want to spend a little quality time with you. And if you beg enough, if you do everything I ask, maybe I’ll consider your request to let your daughter live.”
    She turned to face him, trying to judge whether he was telling the truth. “What about Tucker?” As soon as his name was out of her mouth, she cringed.
    “Is that his name? You’ll have to do better than that. You’ll have to give me his last name. In fact, you may be able to help me more than that.” He leaned closer, his mouth grazing