Embraced by a Warrior

Warrior Hunger - 1

by

Marisa Chenery

Chapter One

Darius headed in the direction of the bar he inevitably arrived at once his night was just about over. This habit of getting a drink before he returned to his home had started six months before. Out of the last five years he’d lived in Miami, not once had he’d been drawn to a place as he was to the White Sands Bar.

He knew exactly why he went there night after night. It had nothing to do with the bar’s atmosphere. To be honest, Darius really didn’t pay much attention to the mortals who sat around him. No, the other patrons would never hold his interest as one mortal in particular would. The image of the woman bartender rose in his mind.

Before Darius let his thoughts wander down a path they shouldn’t, he felt a familiar pull on his senses. It was something he couldn’t ignore. Something that had him out walking Miami’s streets once the sun went down each night.

Changing direction, he followed the invisible trail that tugged him closer to its source. His nose picked up the scent of evil, something only he could smell because of what he was. Ducking down a dark alley, Darius prepared himself for what would play out when he arrived. Even though he’d been through it thousands of times, it still wasn’t pleasant to experience.

He reached the end of the alley and turned the corner into a shorter one that dead-ended. And there was the source of the pull. A man had a woman up against the brick wall, a knife held to her throat while he groped her, tearing at her clothes. The woman’s whimpers of fear reached Darius’ ears.

He walked closer, the man oblivious to Darius’ presence. As he did so, Darius felt the change start to take him over. His eyesight was keener, heralding the shift. It happened quickly, but it didn’t mean it was any less painful. He growled as his bones realigned themselves, growing larger. He grew taller to stand at almost seven feet. His body shifted to his half-human and half-jackal form, his muscles becoming bigger. Black fur sprouted from his skin until he was completely covered from head to toe. Gold armbands appeared around each of his thick biceps, and last, a snow-white Egyptian-styled kilt formed around his hips to fall to the middle of his thighs.

Having finally caught sight of him, the woman let out a scream. Darius’ pointed ears on top of his head twitched, but he ignored her and focused his sights on the man assaulting her. The scent of evil seemed to ooze out of every one of the man’s pores. He was Darius’ prey. The man didn’t know it yet, but he was about to finally get his comeuppance for every evil deed he’d ever done.

Darius grabbed the man by the back of his shirt collar with one furred hand and threw him. A loud growl rumbled out of him as the man sailed across the narrow alley and slammed into the opposite wall before he slumped to the ground. Darius only took the few seconds needed to snag the frightened woman’s gaze and wipe her memory of him before he sent her on her way.

He turned to the man to find him slowly regaining his feet. Darius moved in to subdue him. His prey slashed out with the knife he still held. Darius blocked it with a sweep of his arm and knocked it from the man’s hand. With a snarl, he took hold of his prey by his throat and lifted him off the ground with one hand, the man’s feet dangling in the air.

“What the fuck are you?” the man gasped as he struggled for breath.

“The one who sends you to be judged,” Darius said, his voice deeper and gruffer in this form.

He pushed into the man’s mind, not caring the pain he caused. Scenes of each crime and assault his prey had ever committed flashed through Darius’ head. The screams of the man’s victims echoed inside it. Darius lived each one as if he’d been the one on the receiving end. He felt their pain, their terror.

Seeing all he could, Darius definitely knew this one was for Anubis. He willed a gold dagger into his hand. The blade had hieroglyphs carved on it—the spell Anubis had infused into it to send evildoers to the underworld. All it took was one cut to do its job. Darius sliced it across the man’s chest, cutting through his shirt to his skin. His prey gasped some more, clawing at Darius’ hand.

But it was already too late. The dagger had already done its magic. The man’s body lost its solidity, then he was gone. Sent on his way to face the god of the underworld. There, Anubis would weigh the man’s heart on the Scales of Justice. If he was evil, his heart would be fed to Ammit to be consumed.

Lowering his arm, Darius willed the dagger away. The shift took hold of him. He growled as the familiar pain tore through him once again. After it was over, he stood in human form, wearing his black jeans and t-shirt. He’d become one of Anubis’ warriors back in 1218, as a dying German soldier lying on the banks of the river Nile, having fought in the fifth crusade to Egypt. Only Anubis had answered his call, not the god Darius had worshipped.

He pushed the thoughts of that fateful day aside. His work done, he headed out of the alley. Once he hit the sidewalk he backtracked to where he’d been. This time he reached the bar with no interruptions.

Inside, Darius scanned the place with his gaze as he “felt” it out. If there happened to be prey there, he’d have no choice but to act quickly to get that individual outside before Darius shifted. As long as the person wasn’t in the middle of an evil deed, the change could be held at bay for a short period of time.

Not feeling a pull, Darius walked farther into the bar and sat at a table at the back corner of the room. He’d learned long ago if he wanted to be around mortals without being set off, he had to choose places where evil did not go. The White Sands Bar was such an establishment.

After a waitress took his order for a beer, he ignored the mortals who sat nearby and focused his gaze across the room at the bar. She was there, working. Darius followed her movements, able to see her face clearly even from this distance with his sharper-than-normal eyesight. His gaze touched on her long black hair, which hung to the middle of her back. He watched her hazel eyes crinkle as she smiled at his waitress when she came up to the bar to place his drink order.

Darius could stare at her beautiful face all day. And her slim, curvy body heated his blood, making his cock hard with thoughts of how good she’d feel under him as he took her. Even now he was getting an erection. He let out a deep breath, sighing silently. He wanted her, but wouldn’t approach her. She wasn’t the type of woman he’d be able to have a one-night stand with and just walk away. He’d become too obsessed with her. One taste and he’d crave more, which wasn’t something he could do. What he was, what he did, left no room for a woman in his life. Besides, he doubted one would be able to accept his being a warrior of Anubis, and what it entailed. No, he was better off alone, only finding a willing woman to slake his lust when his need became too great, then leaving her behind.

Brisa took the cap off the bottle of beer she held, knowing it would go to him. She snuck a quick look across the room at the large man who sat at the back corner of it, alone. He was always alone.

When he’d first started coming to the bar, she’d noticed him right away. What hot-blooded woman wouldn’t? The man was sinfully gorgeous. Besides being at least six-foot-five and having a build of a bodybuilder, he had the sexiest longish, light-brown hair with blond highlights. It was the type she wanted to run her fingers through. Having never gotten close enough to see his eyes, she’d found out from the waitresses who had served him that they were a piercing blue. And his face, god, the man would make any woman wet just from looking at him.

“Are you done staring so I can go give him his beer?” Janey, her friend and waitress, asked.

Brisa knew exactly which “him” Janey referred to. They’d talked about him enough. “Hey, you were staring at him as he came in.”

“Yeah, true. But I’m not the one who practically has her tongue hanging out of her mouth.”

She tore her gaze off the hottie and scowled at her friend. “I am not that bad.”

Janey shook her head. “Oh yes, you are. I’m surprised you haven’t set the bar on fire with your erotic thoughts, the ones starring him.”

Brisa lifted a brow. “And how exactly would you know I’m having erotic thoughts, hmm? Are you a mind reader now?”

Her friend laughed. “No, but I know you have your mind in the gutter as much as I do.”

She chuckled. “So true. We do have sex on the brain.”

“Yeah, but at least I have a boyfriend to get me some. You, on the other hand, do not.”

“So I’m not seeing anyone right now. It’s not the end of the world, you know. I’ve just decided I need to be pickier in my choice of men.”

“I have to agree with you on that. The last one was a loser with a capital L. He wanted you to be his mother more than a girlfriend. I don’t know how you stuck it out for a month.”

Brisa groaned. “Don’t remind me. I’d hoped he’d get over it. He wasn’t that bad of a guy.”

Janey gave her a look that said who was Brisa kidding. “Maybe, but he wasn’t that good, either.” She glanced over her shoulder, then turned back to Brisa. “I think the hunk over there would be perfect for you. Why don’t you go over and talk to him?”

“No way.” Brisa shook her head. “I’m waiting to see if he’ll talk to me first. I’ve caught him watching me a few times.”

“Brisa, you’ll be waiting a long time if you leave it up to him. He’s been coming in here for six months and hasn’t even said hello to you. There is nothing wrong with a woman making the first move.”

She nibbled her bottom lip. “I know. I just can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Well, look at him. I’m sure he has women throwing themselves at him all the time. I doubt he’d appreciate it if I were to do the same thing.”

Janey rolled her eyes. “I’m not suggesting you jump his bones or anything. Just go up to him and start off by saying hi and introducing yourself.”

“I don’t know. I have to be at the bar,” Brisa hedged.

She’d love nothing more than to go talk to the hottie, but every time she thought about it, she found herself not getting up enough nerve. Brisa had a sick feeling she’d make an ass of herself in front of him by saying something really stupid. As she’d said to Janey, he was so good-looking he probably had women going after him all the time. Brisa felt she’d have to make a good impression if she wanted to stand out in the crowd. And coming across as an airhead wouldn’t cut it.

“Stop thinking up excuses,” Janey said. “And that’s what it is. I’ve seen you handle guys who have tried to hit on you here with no problem. This should be much easier than warding off those dumbasses.”

“Maybe, but—”

“But nothing. Tonight’s your night. I’ll watch the bar while you go and serve the hunk his beer. I’ll even let you keep the tip.”

Brisa shook her head. “You’re not going to let up, are you?”

“Nope.”

“All right. You win. I’ll go take him his beer, but I’m giving you the tip.”

She walked out from around the bar and went to where Janey stood. After picking up the beer bottle, Brisa turned and headed for the hottie’s table. As she came closer, his gaze landed on her and stayed. Her body instantly stood at attention. Her nipples grew taut beneath her white cotton blouse. With each step she felt more nervous. The hand holding the beer shook ever so slightly. Get a grip, she berated herself. She was a mature woman of twenty-nine. She’d talked with enough men she shouldn’t be feeling this way. Finally reaching the table, her mouth suddenly went dry when she looked into his blue, blue eyes. With his tanned skin, they seemed to pop.

Brisa quietly cleared her throat. “Here’s your beer,” she said as she placed the bottle in front of him. “I’m Brisa, the bartender, by the way.”

Now didn’t she sound real intelligent with that one? Duh, he had to already know she was the bartender. Any idiot would know that, considering that’s where she spent all of her time when working her shift.

His gaze met hers. “I’m Darius.”

His deep, slightly accented voice washed over Brisa. A shiver of delight shot through her. God, she could have an orgasm just from listening to him talk. As if her pussy agreed wholeheartedly, an ache built inside it and she grew wet.

Darius’ chest rose as he took a deep breath. And for a second there, Brisa swore she saw hunger lurking in the blueness of his eyes. She became tongue-tied, only able to stare back at him, wishing she could strip him out of the black t-shirt that seemed molded to his broad shoulders and wide chest. Better yet, she wished she could plop down on his lap, take a good grip of his hair and have her way with his mouth.

He shifted, reaching into the front pocket of his jeans, and Brisa snapped her thoughts back to reality. She watched him take out some bills to pay for his beer, then reached for them when he held them out. As their fingers touched, and she took the money, his hand wrapped around hers before she could pull away. His was warm and seemed to envelop all of hers. At the simple contact her heart beat faster, her breath speeding up as well. It wouldn’t take much to have her melt into a pile of goo at his feet.

“Keep the change,” he said. Still holding her hand, he continued. “Have a drink with me, Brisa.”

“Ah, I can’t. I’m not allowed to drink while I’m working.” From where their skin touched, a current of pleasure rode through her bloodstream all the way to her pussy.

“Then once you’re finished your shift.”

“That’ll be closing time.”

“I’ll wait and walk you to your car.”

Brisa was about to tell him that he didn’t have to when Janey breezed by, and said, “She’d love for you to walk her to her car.”

She figured her friend had to have been somewhere close enough to eavesdrop on her conversation with Darius, even though she was supposed to be watching the bar. Brisa shook her head as the other woman went to another table to take orders.

Brisa turned her attention back to Darius. He still hadn’t let go of her hand. “I guess my answer is yes.”

“Until then.”

Darius released her. Brisa instantly missed the warmth of his hand surrounding hers. She smiled and slowly backed up, clutching the money. She spun around and beat a hasty retreat.

She wasn’t too surprised to find Janey approaching the bar a short time after Brisa had gone behind it. The knowing smile her friend wore said everything.

“Aren’t you glad I made you go talk to him?” Janey asked.

“Yes.” Brisa rang in the sale of Darius’ beer in the cash register, then took out the change and handed it to Janey.

The other woman pocketed the money. “And don’t worry. I won’t stick around to see what happens when he walks you to your car.” She winked at Brisa. “Maybe you’ll get lucky tonight.”

Brisa doubted it. For one thing, she wasn’t the type of woman to hop in the sack with a man she’d just met. Considering how late it would be when the bar closed, it wasn’t as if she and Darius would have a lot of time to get to know each other enough for sex to be part of the picture. If he asked her out on a real date, that would be another matter.

“Oh yeah, I’m going to have some hot sex with Darius in the back of my car in the parking lot,” Brisa said. “And given how small it is, I doubt the man would manage to fit inside it.”

Janey laughed. “Okay, I just got the mental picture of him sitting in the backseat with his legs hanging out the car door as he does the nasty with you.”

Brisa smacked her friend in the arm with the towel she’d used to dry some glasses behind the bar. “You really do have a gutter mind.”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Yeah, well, yours is worse than mine.”

After Brisa mixed the drinks Janey needed for one of her orders, and Janey left to serve them, Brisa turned her gaze in Darius’ direction. He seemed to stare at her, a slight smile on his lips. The expression made him even better-looking. She sighed. She’d have to wait and see what happened when the bar closed.

Chapter Two

Darius spent the last couple of hours that the bar remained open slowly sipping on beer. He only had two, not wanting Brisa to think he’d had too much to drink. Not that two, or much less six of them, would affect him. Since becoming immortal, he’d lost the ability to become drunk. He figured it had to do with the way his body now metabolized anything he put into it. He could eat as much as he wanted, whatever he wanted, and remained the same as the day he’d vowed to serve Anubis. The perks of being one of the god’s warriors.

He drank the last swallow of beer and turned his gaze on Brisa. It was almost closing time and she was cleaning up the bar. He still didn’t know what had come over him, causing him to ask to walk her to her car at the end of the night. He’d told himself repeatedly she wasn’t one he could have anything to do with, that admiring her from afar was all he was allowed.

But when she’d served him his beer instead of the waitress, then introduced herself, he’d been unable to resist her. Especially when their fingers had touched. Something had zapped through him straight to his cock, making it strain even more against the zipper of his jeans. Then he’d smelled the scent of her arousal and his good intentions had flown out the window.

Seeing Brisa’s waitress friend wave to her before she headed out the door, Darius took that as his cue to go up to the bar. He grabbed the empty bottle from the table and stood. He was the last customer in the room.

Darius wove his way around the tables. Once he stood in front of the bar, he placed the bottle on top of it. “Are you just about ready to leave?” he asked.

She grabbed the empty beer and placed it in a case behind her. She straightened and turned back to him. “Just about. I have to bring the money from the register to the manager, then I can go.”

He watched her push a couple of buttons on the till, which caused the cash drawer to open. She took out the tray and covered it with a piece of metal before she walked out from behind the bar and headed to the offices at the opposite end of the room. It didn’t take her very long to come back. He also noticed she now carried a purse.

Brisa stopped in front of him. “All right. I can go now.”

As they walked toward the bar’s entrance, she fished her keys out of her purse. Once outside, as they were walking toward the parking lot at the side of the building, Darius did his sweep of the area with his gaze. It was late enough that there was hardly anyone else around. Neither he nor Brisa said anything. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her look at him a few times.

When they reached a silver compact car, she said, “Well, this is me.” She looked at him shyly as she played with her key ring.

He shifted closer, crowding her against the car’s door, forcing her to crane her neck to look up at him. Darius shifted even closer until they were toe-to-toe. He heard her breath catch, and smelled the scent of her growing arousal on the breeze that swirled around them.

Even though he damned himself for being a fool, Darius couldn’t stop himself from bending his head and brushing his lips against Brisa’s. She was just too tempting. And when she made an almost inaudible sigh, he had to have more of her.

Angling his lips for a tighter fit, he claimed her mouth fully. He increased the pressure before he swept his tongue along the crease of her lips, seeking entrance. She opened for him and he pushed inside. He moaned at the taste of her. Kissing her was better than he’d imagined.

As her tongue twined with his, her arms came up and wrapped around his neck. Darius dropped his hands to her hips, spread his legs slightly and pulled her between them. His hard cock twitched when she rubbed up against him. Need pounded through him, causing his dick to throb in time with his rapidly beating heart.

He sucked her tongue into his mouth and she swept the inside, tasting him as he’d tasted her. His libido increased. Darius ground his erection into her. He ached for her, but this was neither the time nor the place.

Darius lifted his head, knowing the little he’d taken from Brisa wouldn’t be enough. He’d had his taste and craved more. He may well damn himself, but he wasn’t ready to end what they’d started.

“When can I see you again?” he asked, his voice gruff with the arousal still pounding through him.

She blinked a few times, seeming to come out of a daze. Her lips were swollen from his kisses. She licked them, making him want to claim them once more. But he did nothing of the sort.

“Tomorrow,” she said in a quiet voice. “During the day, if you want. I have to work at night again.”

“That’ll be good for me. Give me your phone number and I’ll call you sometime after lunch.”

“Sure. Let me write it down for you.” Brisa reached inside her purse and took out what looked like an old receipt along with a pen. She scribbled her number on the back of the piece of paper before she handed it to him. “That’s my cell. I don’t have a landline.”

Darius shoved it in his jeans front pocket. “I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

He turned before he weakened and pulled Brisa back in his arms. His body still thrumming with desire, Darius walked away. On the sidewalk, he headed in the direction where he’d left his car a few blocks up, having chosen the section of the city near the bar as his hunting grounds for this particular night.

Once at his sports car, he started the engine before he pulled away from the curb. As he drove to his home, he relived every taste and feel of having Brisa in his arms. Even the small sounds of pleasure she’d made while he kissed her. Having lived eight hundred and twenty-two years, for the first time, he’d found a woman he thought he wanted to spend his life with. It was too bad he’d never be able to keep Brisa as his own.

* * *

Brisa watched Darius walk away until he disappeared down the sidewalk. Her body had yet to cool, and she still felt as if her brain was only functioning at half capacity. The man had kissed her senseless. She’d completely forgotten where they were and had let the desire building inside her take over. All that had mattered was having Darius’ arms around her and his lips taking hers.

She felt her face flush with renewed arousal when she remembered how big and hard his cock had felt pressed against her. It had made her want to undo his pants and see just how large he actually was. Her pussy had ached to be filled by him.

Giving her head a shake over her heated thoughts, Brisa turned to unlock the driver’s side door of her car. If she didn’t stop it, she’d have to go home and take a cold shower. Or take care of what Darius had started herself. She shook her head again. Janey was right. Brisa was just as bad as her when it came to having a gutter mind.

Once she was inside her car and had pulled out of the parking lot, she drove to her apartment. She really didn’t know what to expect when Darius called the next day. They hadn’t had a whole lot of conversation to get much beyond learning each other’s names. No, she’d been too busy sticking her tongue down his throat to get to know him better. A small smile played along her lips. Darius hadn’t seemed to mind, though.

Brisa gave herself a mental kick. She had to stop thinking about sex with Darius. Tomorrow, she’d keep herself under control long enough to find out more about the man who’d asked her out. Rushing into intimacy didn’t necessarily mean a relationship would work out. Oh who was she kidding? If Darius put the moves on her again like he’d done back in the parking lot, she wouldn’t be able to resist. He was just too gorgeous and made her want to jump his bones every time she looked at him.

* * *

The following morning Darius awoke looking forward to what the day would bring for the first time in a long while. Being immortal, he’d started to lose interest in the people and places around him. He did his job each night as one of Anubis’ warriors, but had long since stopped associating with mortals. Their lifespans seemed too short. Eighty years was nothing to him. And what family he’d had before he’d gone on crusade, he’d never kept track of. Having never married or had children, he’d thought it best to stay away from the land of his birth.

After eating a late breakfast, he took a shower. That done, Darius stood in front of the steamed mirror with a towel wrapped around his hips. He used a small hand towel to clear some of the glass in front of him so he could shave. His gaze landed on the mark the god of the underworld had placed on him once Darius had taken his vow to become one of his warriors. It was situated on his chest, over his heart. It was a picture of Anubis with a jackal’s head. In one hand he held an ankh while in the other was a flail. The whole thing was inside a cartouche, colored black.

Darius picked up his razor and proceeded to shave off the stubble that was a shade darker than the hair on his head. He combed his hair and left it to dry by itself. After stepping into his bedroom, he headed for his closet. He frowned when he found nothing but jeans and jackets that were leather and denim. Without having to look, he knew the rest of his wardrobe would consist of t-shirts and long-sleeved ones. He didn’t have anything that would be considered “dressy”.

Figuring there wasn’t much he could do about it now, Darius pulled out a pair of blue jeans from the closet before he picked a light-gray t-shirt from the dresser. Once clothed, he sat on the bed and put on his shoes. As he did so, he thought of what he wanted to do with Brisa that day, besides thinking about getting her in bed. He’d never “dated” anyone before. When he’d been mortal, there had been no such thing. There’d been more arranged marriages than not. At least that was the case in his station. His father had been a knight, as had Darius. He still had his armor, sword and spurs to prove it.

Before leaving his bedroom, Darius picked up the piece of paper he’d taken out of his pants pocket when he’d changed out of his clothes the night before. He stared at Brisa’s handwriting. It was small and neat, unlike his hen scratching. He’d had a minimal amount of education when growing up. Learning how to read and write hadn’t been part of it. He’d had to learn in the years after becoming immortal.

He headed down the stairs and into his living room. His cell phone sat on an end table, charging. Like Brisa, he didn’t have a landline. He liked to keep a minimal paper trail, since every thirty years or so he had to change his identity. The only pain in the ass side effect of never aging in this day and age. It wasn’t like the old days where he could just move to another city or country and be done with it, keeping his same name.

Darius unplugged his cell and pocketed it, then went to the room that was meant to be a den. Inside, there was a mini-temple he’d created for Anubis with religious pieces to the god of the underworld that Darius had picked up in Egypt shortly after he’d taken his vow. Through worshipping Anubis, Darius kept the link between them strong. That way he could call upon the god whenever he needed him.

After going through his morning ritual, and placing a bit of beer and bread on the altar in offering for Anubis, Darius left the room and closed the door behind him. Back in the living room, he sat on the black leather couch. He took out his cell and the piece of paper with Brisa’s number on it. It was already after twelve.

He added the number to his list of contacts first before he called. Brisa picked up after the third ring.

“Hi, Brisa. It’s Darius.”

“Hi,” she said in return.

“Are we still on for today?”

“Yes. I just have to be at work by seven, since I work until closing.”

“How about I pick you up and take you to my place, then we can go out for an early dinner before you go into work?”

“Sure, I’d love to. What time will you get here?”

“Whenever you think you’ll be ready.”

“In that case, depending on how far you live from my apartment, give or take a half-hour?”

“Sounds good. What’s your address?”

Brisa gave it to him, then ended the call by saying she was looking forward to seeing him again. Darius added her address where her cell number was stored on his phone. He still had a little time to wait before he could leave to pick her up. It wouldn’t take the full half-hour to reach her apartment from his house.

Once he’d let enough time elapse, Darius walked through the door that connected the three-car garage to the house. With a push of a button on the remote clipped to the driver’s side visor, the large door quietly lifted and Darius backed his car out onto the drive.

It only took him about fifteen minutes or so to reach Brisa’s apartment building. It was situated right downtown, no more than five minutes away from the bar she worked at. Darius parked in the visitors parking out front, then went inside.

He found Brisa’s apartment number and hit the code on the panel inside the vestibule to call up to her place. After telling her he was there, she buzzed him through the secured entrance door. A short elevator ride up, and he was at her door, knocking.

Brisa opened it wide. “Come on in for a minute. I just have to grab my purse.”

As she walked farther into the apartment, Darius stepped inside. He looked around, following Brisa with his gaze. She disappeared into what he assumed was the bedroom. The place was light and airy-looking. She’d gone for colors that were closer to pastels, whereas he was more into the darker tones.

She returned with purse in hand. “Just to forewarn you, I have to be back here to get ready for work by six thirty at the latest.”

He nodded. “That’ll be no problem.”

Brisa walked by him to put on her shoes, and Darius took a deep breath. The scent of her perfume, and one that was uniquely hers, filled his nose. His cock twitched with interest. Just being in the same room with her brought his libido to life.

Once she was ready, he guided her out of the apartment, then outside to his car. So used to not associating with others, Darius had a hard time trying to come up with conversation starters. He glanced over at Brisa and found her looking out the passenger window. The only women he’d let into his life were the ones who were interested in sex, then walking away when it was over.

“So,” he said. “Have you worked at the bar long?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brisa turned her head in his direction. “For a couple of years now. I know most people wouldn’t think being a bartender was that great of a job, but I enjoy it. What about you? What do you do?”

“I guess you could say I work for myself.”

“Doing what?”

“I’m a, ah, bounty hunter.”

In a way, that was what he did. He hunted down the bad guys, only he wasn’t after the ones who had run out on their bail. He was sending them to face their final judgment.

“That has to be an interesting job. You must come across all kinds of people.”

He grinned. “Yes, you could say that I do.”

“And you must be pretty good at it,” Brisa said as she looked out the passenger window again.

“Why do you say that?”

She turned back to him. “Well, for one thing, we’re now in Miami Shores. Where some of the most expensive homes can be found in the city. I take it this is where you live, right? And your car isn’t exactly what the average Joe could afford.”

“Yes. I bought a place here five years ago when I came to Miami.”

“I’ve only ever driven by the houses here. With a bartender’s salary, there is no way I’d ever be able to afford one, let alone rent it.”

“Well, today you can say you’ve been inside one of them.”

Money had never been a problem for him since he’d become one of Anubis’ warriors. The god had made sure of that. Over the years, Anubis had given him more than enough precious jewels and gold to make Darius a very rich man. The god looked after his own.

As he pulled onto his long, curving drive, Brisa let out a low whistle. “Wow. Your place is gorgeous. You live here by yourself? It’s huge.”

Parking his car outside the garage, Darius turned off the engine and turned to Brisa. “Thanks, and yes, I do live alone. I like to have my space.”

“I guess so. You’d probably be able to fit three of my apartments in there.”

He chuckled and got out of the car. Brisa followed suit and walked around the back end to meet him at his side. Once at his front door, Darius unlocked it and moved aside for Brisa to enter first. She let out another whistle as he stepped in behind her and closed them inside.

“It’s beautiful, Darius. I especially like the banister. It’s the type I would have spent hours riding down when I was a kid.”

He looked over at the wide, mahogany staircase that started near the center of the cathedral-ceilinged foyer, rising to the upper level. He then focused back on Brisa. “Go ahead.”

She gave him a questioning look. “Go ahead what?”

“Go ride down the banister.”

Brisa laughed. “You really want me to do it? I didn’t mean I should slide down it now. I’m too old for things like that.”

“Why not?” he asked. “I know you want to. And I won’t think you’re any less mature for doing it.” He gave her smile. “I have to admit I’ve tried it out a time or two. If it can hold me, it’ll definitely hold you.”

She gnawed her bottom lip as she thought over what he’d said. Seeing her doing it made Darius want to lean in and claim her mouth, do some nibbling of his own.

“I don’t know,” she said. “It’s a long banister, and there isn’t much of a newel post at the bottom of the staircase. It’s nothing but a small square piece of wood. If I can’t stop in time I could fly off at the end.”

“I’ll be here to catch you just in case.”

Brisa chuckled and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m going to do this, but who am I to turn down a chance to go banister riding inside a mansion.”

She put her purse on the floor and ran up the stairs. Once she reached the top, Darius shifted into position at the end of the railing. Brisa swung her leg over it with her back facing toward him.

“All right,” she called down. “Are you ready?”

“I’m all set.”

She let go and started a controlled ride down. She giggled as she went. Darius followed her progress with his gaze. It landed on her bottom and didn’t shift away. Her jeans were pulled tight across it, molded to it perfectly. He had to bite back a moan at the sight of it. Unlucky for him, Brisa managed to stop herself before she reached the newel post. He would have liked the excuse to fondle that rear end.

Brisa got off the banister and smiled. “One more time.”

He nodded, then watched her hurry back up. This time she went a little faster and it looked as if she wouldn’t be able to stop in time. Darius stepped onto the bottom stair, snagged Brisa around the waist and lifted her off. He pulled her tight against his chest and swung around so they faced the other way.

She relaxed into him and laughed. “I guess I went a little too fast that time. Thanks for catching me.”

“No problem,” he said, his voice sounding husky to his ears.

Where he held her to him, her nicely rounded bottom rested against the front of his jeans. His cock was hard, liking where it was. Brisa must have felt it, because her laughter slowly died. She turned her head to look at him and licked her lips.

Darius knew he couldn’t let the situation pass. He took her mouth, groaning as she kissed him back. He made no move to put her down or turn her in his arms. He pushed his tongue past her lips and licked and sucked. His cock throbbed, and he rubbed it against Brisa, aching to have it buried deep inside her.

One of her arms curved up, her hand coming to rest on the back of his head. She moaned into his mouth and pressed her bottom tighter along him. The intoxicating scent of her arousal filled the air around them, making him harder. Their kisses became hotter, more carnal. Darius felt as if his body had been set on fire. Need and lust pounded in his veins. God, how he wanted the woman he held in his arms.

Chapter Three

Brisa was so turned-on she couldn’t think beyond the pounding pleasure that surged through her body. What had started off as some immature antics had turned into something way more adult. And quickly at that. Whenever Darius touched her, she seemed to go up in instant flames.

She squirmed in Darius’ arms, tying to let him know she wanted to face toward him without having to break contact with his lips. But he must have gotten the message. Brisa let go of his head as he turned her as if she weighed nothing at all.

Since he hadn’t put her down on her feet, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist. They both moaned as her pussy came to rest atop his erection. A shiver of delight swept through her body at the feel of him. She wanted more. So much more.

Darius turned and walked in a direction away from the stairs. As his steps slowed, she cracked open her eyes to see he carried her into a spacious living room. His lips trailed from her mouth to the side of her neck. Brisa leaned her head to the side, turning it slightly to give him better access and saw the black leather couch with a chaise attached at one end. He headed right for it, then slowly lowered her onto it. He followed her down, still nuzzling her throat.

“Please don’t tell me I’m going too fast for you,” he said against her skin.

She sank her fingers into the sides of his hair and lifted his head. She nibbled at his bottom lip before she swept her tongue along it. “No, you’re definitely not going too fast.”

“So you won’t mind if I take your top off?”

Brisa tilted Darius’ head back and licked the hollow of his throat. “God, no. Do it.”

He moaned, then shifted to lie half off her, holding his upper body up on a bent arm as he used his other hand to take hold of the bottom of her t-shirt. He pushed it up, baring first her belly, then her satin bra, to his view. His heated gaze landed on it, causing her nipples to tighten even more. Darius reached out with a finger and circled each one through the material that covered them.

With a couple of tugs, he pulled her shirt up and over her head. He tossed it to the floor. A large hand covered one of her breasts, a thumb stroked back and forth over the taut peak that tipped it. Brisa pressed closer when Darius pulled her bra cup aside and bent his head to sweep her nipple with his tongue.

He made short work of unhooking her bra and dragging it off her. Once he had her free of it, he took the tight bud into his mouth, sucking on it. Each pull on her breast Brisa felt deep inside her pussy. She grew wetter, her juices leaking into her panties. She shifted beneath him and Darius placed a hard thigh between her legs. Brisa rubbed against it, becoming more excited.

Darius switched to her other nipple, lavishing the same attention on it as he’d done the first. Brisa’s pants and moans filled the room. He was breathing just as heavily as she. She ran her hands over his broad shoulders and onto his back. Bunching the material of his t-shirt in her hands, she yanked it up. He let her nipple go with a quiet pop and reached behind his neck to pull off his shirt.

Brisa ran her gaze over his well-defined chest and abs. She then focused on the Egyptian-styled tattoo over his heart. She didn’t get to look at it too closely before Darius reclaimed her mouth for a breath-stealing kiss. She promised herself she’d check it out later.

He ran caressing strokes down her side and across her stomach, leaving goose bumps in his wake. Going lower, his fingers deftly undid the button and zipper on her jeans before he shoved a hand inside. It cupped her pussy, the heel of it pressing against her pubic bone.

Darius released her mouth and trailed kisses to her ear. He whispered, “I can feel how wet you are through your panties.”

Brisa ran her hands up and down his muscular back. “Then what are you going to do about it?” she asked with a breathy moan as his finger brushed against her clit.

He gave a husky chuckle. “I know exactly what I want to do.”

Darius tugged at her pants until he had them down her legs and off. Left only in her panties, Brisa felt her pussy clench with anticipation as he ran a finger just under the waistband. He teased her for a bit longer before he took them off as well.

She tried to pull him on top of her, but he resisted and shifted farther down the chaise. He licked the underside of her breast, then worked his way lower on her body, kissing and licking as he went. As his tongue circled her bellybutton, dipping inside, her stomach quivered.

His fingers delved between her legs while he nuzzled her belly. The digits trailed in the dampness found there before one pushed inside her pussy. Darius pumped it in and out, his thumb brushing her clit as he did so. Brisa opened her legs wider, her body coiling tighter.

A second joined the first, and Brisa could no longer keep her hips still. She rode Darius’ fingers, squeezing around the plunging digits, matching his strokes. At the rate her arousal built, it wouldn’t take much for her to come.

As if he’d sensed how close she was to reaching release, Darius pulled out of her pussy. Brisa whimpered at the loss, but soon found herself gasping his name when he wedged his shoulders between her thighs and took her with his mouth.

He lapped at the wetness, circling her clit with his tongue as he went. He cupped her bottom in his hands and angled her hips up. He licked and sucked, driving her orgasm ever closer. Brisa shoved her fingers into his hair, holding him to her as she rocked against his mouth.

“Yes,” she panted. “Just like that. A little more.”

Then she was moaning, riding the waves of pleasure that shot through her as her climax took her over. Her pussy rhythmically clenched in release. Once it was over, Brisa relaxed against the couch, trying to catch her breath. She had to give Darius an A-plus for his oral-sex skills. He knew his way around a woman’s anatomy.

Darius shifted up her body. Brisa watched as he licked his lips clean of her juices, seeming to savor the taste of her. She felt a jolt of desire shoot through her. Feeling his hard cock pressed against her thigh, she pushed on his shoulder to get him to change places so she was on top.

She smiled down at him once he’d complied. “I get to play now.”

Brisa undid Darius’ jeans and yanked them past his hips. He lifted them from the couch to help when she dragged the pants farther down his legs and off. She tossed them to the floor without looking, her gaze centered on what she’d revealed.

It appeared that Darius was the type of man who shunned underwear. He’d been commando under his pants. His cock was out in the open, jutting up from his body. A shiver of longing ran down her spine. He was perfectly thick and long. She’d never slept with a man quite as large as Darius. Brisa couldn’t wait to have that part of him inside her, but first she wanted to learn his body as he’d learned hers. See what would make him groan louder, push him to the greatest arousal.

Darius put his hands behind his head and gave her a grin that was sexy as all hell. “You want to play? Then go right ahead.”

She bent her head and took his bottom lip between her teeth and gave it a tug, then nipped his chin before continuing downward. She explored the contours of his defined chest, taking the time to lave each of his flat nipples with her tongue. They tightened into tiny buds. Next, she went on to nibble her way down his six-pack abs. The man had a body she could get lost in for days.

At his cock, Brisa wrapped her fingers around him, marveling at the fact they didn’t quite meet. She pumped up and down, enjoying the hot, thick length of him in her hand. She stroked a few more times and saw a bead of pre-cum leak out of the head of his erection. The urge to taste it was too hard to resist. Brisa bent her head and captured it on the tip of her tongue. Darius moaned, his hips lifting off the couch. He obviously wanted more.

She had no problem doing that. Brisa opened her mouth and took his cock inside. She sucked him almost to the back of her throat, but she still couldn’t manage all of his length. What she couldn’t, she stroked with her hand as she slid him in and out. Darius’ moans increased in volume.

Brisa continued to suck, loving the way his erection grew harder. She planned to push him to the brink, but would stop before he reached the point of no return. She wanted his big cock deep inside her pussy, filling her all the way up when he came, preferably after she’d come at least once more. Twice would be even better.

She’d thought he was at that peak when his whole body seemed to clench. It took her a few seconds to realize his moans of pleasure had suddenly changed to groans that sounded as if he were in pain.

Brisa had just let him slip from her mouth, about ready to ask if anything was wrong, when Darius shoved her away and scrambled off the couch. Totally naked, he rushed from the room, leaving her wondering what had happened.

When he hadn’t returned after a few seconds, Brisa sat up. She hadn’t thought her blowjobs were that bad. At least she’d had no complaints from the other men she’d done it to. Really at a loss as to what had come over Darius, she wondered if she’d inadvertently done something wrong to put an end to their date.

Darius gritted his teeth to keep his groans stifled as he rushed to the main floor powder room. Once inside he closed and locked the door behind him. He held on to his head as blinding pain shot through it. It was so intense he was surprised he hadn’t blacked out. He’d never felt anything like it. He looked in the mirror above the sink and noticed his eyes had shifted to a jackal’s.

The pain moved to the rest of his body. He felt his bones shifting, heralding the beginnings of a shift, but only to stop and return to normal. Holding up his hands, he watched claws break through the tips of his fingers only to recede a second later. Black fur sprouted on his arms, then it too disappeared beneath his skin. What the hell was happening to him?

He’d experienced nothing like this before. Once a shift started, it didn’t stop until it was complete. And the other thing that didn’t make sense was the fact he didn’t feel the pull of evil—the one thing needed to bring on the change. He’d been lost in the pleasure Brisa had given him, then wham, the pain had slammed into him.

Slowly it faded, leaving him breathing hard, his body sheened with sweat. A quick look in the mirror showed his eyes had also returned to normal. Whatever it was, it seemed to be over. At least he hoped it was. There was no way he could have Brisa see any of that. She’d run from his house, screaming. Not how he wanted his time with her to end.

His erection long gone, he waited a few extra minutes just to be on the safe side. Nothing else happened. No pain, no unwarranted shifting. Breathing a sigh of relief, Darius rinsed his face in the sink before he unlocked the door and left the powder room. He’d just have to keep a close watch on himself. At the first sign of pain, he’d have to make a mad dash once again. He just hoped Brisa wouldn’t think he’d lost his marbles.

Darius walked into the living room thinking he and Brisa would start up where they’d left off. Having her in his arms, naked and willing, had felt good. Real good. His cock stirred to life, but it soon deflated when he saw her sitting on the couch fully dressed. Shit.

Brisa gave him a small smile as he approached. “I, ah, thought since you ran out in the middle of things, then didn’t come back right away, that you’d changed your mind.”

He pulled her to her feet and dragged her close. He did the quickest thing he could think of that would show her how wrong she was. Darius claimed her lips in a heated kiss, pouring all the desire that quickly rose inside him into it. He didn’t stop until he had her clutching at him.

He lifted his head. “Does that feel as if I changed my mind about you?” For good measure, he pressed his renewed erection against her belly.

Brisa stood there for a few seconds with her eyes closed. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened all the way. She met his gaze. “No, not really.” Her voice was breathy sounding.

“Good.” He went to kiss her once more, but she turned her head.

“Then why did you run out of the room so fast? Are you okay?” She grinned. “I’ve never had a guy bolt like that in the middle of a blowjob. You could give me a complex doing that. Make me think I messed it up.”

He dropped his hands to her backside and rocked his cock into her. “Believe me when I say it didn’t have anything to do with you. Or what you were doing. It was me, though it ended up being nothing.”

She eyed him. “I don’t know about that. You sounded as if you were in pain.”

“I’m fine. I…ah, had a cramp in my leg. So I had to go walk it off before it got worse.”

Brisa didn’t look as if she totally believed him. “A cramp? While we were… I’ve never heard of that happening, especially in the leg.” She gave him a saucy wink. “Maybe in other places, but not there. You weren’t exactly using it at the time. And you needn’t have left the room to walk it off. I would have helped you with it.”

“Well, it was a little embarrassing. Having to put an abrupt end to things because of a cramp isn’t exactly sexy, now is it? I thought it best to take it out of the room, then come back and continue.” Darius squeezed Brisa’s bottom.

She put her hands on his chest and used a finger to draw an invisible circle around Anubis’ mark. “Okay, I’ll let you have this one, but try not to let it happen again. Especially when we’ve gotten to the good part.”

“I promise. How about I show you the upstairs? Specifically my bedroom. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Brisa glanced over at the couch. “I suppose there would be more room up there.”

“Definitely. I have a king-sized bed.”

She broke his hold by stepping back. “All right. Show me.” Brisa walked toward the living room’s entrance, then paused to look over her shoulder. “Don’t forget to bring your clothes.”

Darius quickly gathered them up and followed her out of the room. They’d just reached the bottom of the staircase in the foyer when the sound of a cell phone ringing could be heard.

Brisa walked over to her purse and picked it up off the floor where she’d left it. “That’s me.” She reached inside and took out the phone, then grimaced. “It’s my boss. I’d better take this.”

He listened to her answer, then after a few seconds heard her ask, “Are you sure there is no one else except for me?” Seeing a look of disappointment flash across her face, he figured the answer wasn’t something Brisa wanted to hear.

“All right,” she said into her cell. “But the next time someone else has to cover it.” She ended the call and put her phone back in her purse with a sigh. “I’m sorry to do this to you, Darius, but I’m going to have to get a rain check on seeing your bedroom. The dayshift bartender took sick at the bar and couldn’t finish his shift. My boss is covering now, but he has a family commitment at five and can’t get out of it to hang around until my shift starts. And the two guys who cover the weekends both have other full-time jobs they work during the day. So that leaves me. And since I have to go in two hours earlier, I’m going to have to have an even earlier dinner. You’ll probably want to drop me off at my place. Sorry.”

He stepped closer and cupped the side of her face, angling it up so she looked at him. “No need to apologize. It’s your job. How about I take you for something to eat now, then afterward I’ll drop you off at your apartment. I don’t mind eating now. I plan on meeting up with you at work at the end of the night, anyway.”

She smiled. “You do?”

He nodded. “I hoped I’d be able to convince you to come back here and spend the night with me.”

“Sounds good to me. And since tomorrow is the start of the weekend, I have the next two nights off. So I don’t have to worry about going into work the following day.”

“Can I take that to mean you’d be willing to spend Saturday and Sunday with me?” he asked.

Darius figured if he’d broken the promise he’d made to himself when it came to Brisa, he might as well jump in with both feet. As the saying went, in for a penny, in for a pound. The damage was already done. What he and Brisa had shared in the living room had pretty much sealed his fate. There would be no walking away. He craved her touch. Where he expected all of this to go, he had no idea. For now, he intended to enjoy her while he could.

Brisa nodded. “I think my spending the weekend with you can be arranged. If you’ll be able to put up with me that long. You never know. I might drive you nuts after a while.”

He chuckled. Darius hadn’t found much humor in his life for ages. But with Brisa around, she had him laughing when he least expected it. “I doubt that will happen, considering I will probably keep you in my bed for the majority of it.”

She put her purse on the floor and stepped closer. With a playful grin, she reached behind him and grabbed his ass. “You really shouldn’t say things like that while standing buck naked. As my friend Janey tells me all the time, I have a gutter mind. Now all night at work I’ll be thinking about sex, with you. And I’ll have hours to wait until I get to see you at the end of my shift. Just be prepared to be pounced on later.”

He smiled. “I think I’ll enjoy that.”

Darius gave Brisa a quick kiss, then dropped his clothes to the floor, giving her a good view of what her saucy talk had done to his cock. Her gaze seemed to eat him up as he grabbed his jeans and pulled them on. He shoved his erection inside before he reached for the zipper.

“Careful,” Brisa said. “Maybe I should help you with that. We wouldn’t want you getting yourself caught in it. I intend to make use of that appendage tonight.”

“You do and we’ll never get out of here to eat. And the likelihood of you making it to work won’t be very good. I doubt your boss would understand.”

She laughed. “All right, I’ll behave. Getting fired tonight isn’t on my to-do list.”

Darius finished dressing, then guided Brisa outside to his car. They ate at a Chinese place, spending a lot of the time talking. Once the meal was over, he wished he didn’t have to take her back to her apartment. Brisa was actually the first woman he’d really enjoyed being with, learning about her. Even when he’d been mortal, he hadn’t found a woman who hadn’t bored him to death after a while.

Parked in a visitor’s spot at her apartment building, Darius reached across to the passenger seat and pulled Brisa into his arms. He kissed her thoroughly, already wishing he could take her back to his place.

Releasing her, he said, “I’ll see you tonight. And if you want to bring enough clothes with you for the weekend, go right ahead.”

“I’ll do that,” she said before she gave him a quick peck on the lips and got out of the car.

Darius watched Brisa cross the parking lot to the front entrance of the building. He’d make love to her tonight. Whatever had come over him earlier hadn’t happened again, making him think it was just some weird instance. Not worried about it anymore, he figured there would be nothing to get in his way of having Brisa.

Chapter Four

Once darkness took over the city, Darius was out on the hunt. He picked a section where he knew he’d run across at least one evildoer in the act that would cause him to shift quickly. Even though he had no worries about what had happened back at his place repeating again, a small part of him wanted to make sure nothing else had been screwed up by it.

Darius walked down a couple of streets, then along another. He was in the middle of an industrial park with large buildings looming on either side of him. Some of them were closed while others were open, running a shift through the entire night. That didn’t stop unsavory types from lurking around.

Rounding a bend in the road, he felt the pulling sensation he’d anticipated. Darius followed it to the back of one of the smaller buildings in the sector to what looked to be a storage facility for a retail business. The stench of evil filled the air.

Two men stood in front of a docking bay, having a heated argument. Darius closed in on his prey with silent feet. Not that they would have noticed him, since they were too busy verbally abusing each other. But that didn’t last long when one of them pulled a knife and stuck it into the other’s belly.

The pain of shifting tore through Darius, making his breath catch as the wounded man dropped to the ground. His attacker stood over him, looking as if he were ready to strike again. With a loud growl, Darius drew the attention of the knife wielder.

The man spun around, his eyes widening as his gaze landed on Darius in his half-human and half-jackal form. He brought the knife up and brandished it in front of him. “I don’t know what the fuck you are, but you have no business here.”

Darius snorted inside. The guy was scared shitless, the scent of his fear was heavy in the breeze around them. So this particular prey wouldn’t go down easy, in fact, would put on the tough act, maybe even try to fight Darius. Not that the man would win. In this form, Darius was almost twice his size, and twice as strong. He was all predator.

Stalking closer, Darius curled his upper lip and growled once more. The man’s bravado seemed to slip a bit, but he quickly recovered. The hand holding the knife shot out as soon as Darius came within range. He blocked it easily and knocked the weapon from his prey’s grasp. Still the man didn’t give up, resorting to his fists.

Darius let him swing a few punches, though he avoided each one before he decided it was time to end it. Catching the man’s fist in his hand, Darius squeezed hard enough to break bones. His prey yelled in agony.

Darius released him and grabbed him by his throat. He brought his muzzle close to the man’s face, snaring his gaze as Darius tore into his mind. All his evil deeds filled Darius’ head, forcing him to live through them all. Stabbing someone in the gut was petty compared to what his prey had gotten away with.

With a single thought, Darius willed his gold dagger in his hand. He struck fast and sure, slicing across the man’s stomach in the same spot where his prey had stabbed the other male. The evildoer faded out of existence, sent on his way to meet Anubis.

Darius turned to look at the wounded man who had fallen to his knees, his hands pressed to his abdomen. Darius closed the short distance between them and tilted the other man’s head up.

“Don’t,” the man whimpered. “Please don’t make me disappear like you did Jimmy.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Darius asked. “Your friend was here to steal from this place. I saw it in his memories before I sent him to meet his judgment. You were here with him.”

“I wasn’t here to help Jimmy. I only tried to stop him. I’ll admit at first I was going to help him, only because I owed him a lot of money, but I couldn’t do it. I have a problem when it comes to gambling. I’m no thief.”

“I’ll be able to see if you tell the truth.” Darius met the man’s gaze and pushed into his mind. He met with no resistance. After a few seconds, he released the wounded man’s chin. “You didn’t lie.” He willed his dagger away.

This man, Sam, had been coerced into helping Jimmy break into the building, and at the last minute had backed out. Sam just had a weakness with gambling, would accept any bet someone made him. There was no evil in him.

Snagging Sam’s gaze once more, Darius erased himself and what had happened to Jimmy from the man’s memory. In its place he planted a new one, of how Jimmy and Sam had argued. Jimmy had then pulled a knife and stabbed Sam before he took off, taking the weapon with him. While in this entranced state, Darius told Sam to wait until he’d left before dialing 9-1-1 to get himself help.

Darius growled, pain tearing through his body as he shifted back to his human form. Once it was complete he looked at Sam one final time to make sure he was still in a trance before Darius turned and took off at a run. He didn’t go far, but kept hidden to make sure an ambulance showed up for Sam. If the other man hadn’t managed to call for help, Darius would get him some.

It didn’t take long before the sound of sirens heading toward the industrial park could be heard. Darius stepped deeper into the shadows of his hiding spot as a police cruiser sped up to the building where he’d left Sam. Shortly after, an ambulance arrived with lights flashing and sirens wailing.

Darius remained where he was until all the vehicles left, taking Sam with them. Once everything was quiet again, he stepped from his hiding place and continued to make his circuit of the industrial park.

He’d just turned to work his way back to his car so he could meet up with Brisa at the bar when the same pain he’d experienced at his house earlier slammed into him, only this time worse. It drove Darius to his knees, his vision fading in and out. He lifted his hands to cradle his head, the center of all his agony, and watched claws burst through his fingertips before receding again.

“I see you,” said a disembodied male voice that seemed to come from all directions. “I see you, warrior of Anubis.” An evil-sounding laugh followed.

“Show yourself,” Darius bellowed as he painfully rose to his feet, his body shifting in and out of his human form.

“All in good time,” said the voice. “I get to have my fun first. I’ve waited a long time to find one of you.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Someone who now gets to hunt you. Because of your kind and the stupid god Anubis you serve we who live in the other part of the underworld aren’t getting the souls meant to join us. Now that I’ve found you, I get to make you pay. But like I said before, I get to have some fun time first.”

Darius let out a bellow of pain as the change to his half-human and half-jackal form tore through him faster than it ever had. The sound of his bones reshaping was loud in the night air. Once it was over, he stood on legs that barely held him up.

It took a few seconds for him to feel steady. Darius looked down at himself, seeing he was fully shifted, wearing a snow-white kilt instead of his jeans. After a couple of minutes with him not changing back, and not feeling the pull of evil, he wondered if whatever had accosted him had been the one to make him shift. At that moment, Darius hated the fact that he had no control over his shifting ability. He had a sneaky suspicion that he was stuck in this form.

Knowing he couldn’t stay out in the open in the state he was in, that the risk of being spotted was too great, Darius took off at a run toward his car. He kept to the darkest spots along the road, hoping like hell he didn’t hear someone shouting in alarm behind him. He had to go back to his place and talk with Anubis. The god was the only person he thought of who could fix him.

At his sports car, he pulled on the door handle on the driver’s side. It didn’t open. Shit. He carried his keys in his jeans pocket, which were now gone wherever they went when he shifted. Darius tried to will them back the same way he did the number of weapons he had at his disposal, but that accomplished nothing.

“Ah, fuck,” he said under his breath.

He was going to have to smash the window. The longer he stood there the greater the chances of him being seen. Thinking this was going to hurt, but not in the physical sense, Darius pulled back his arm, then punched his fist through the car window. He quickly unlocked the door, sweeping the broken glass off the seat and onto the road before he got inside. He instantly felt cramped with the steering wheel too close to his furred chest. Of course he was much bigger in this form, and he’d never driven while in it, either. Darius adjusted the seat to accommodate his larger size.

With no keys, he had no choice but to hotwire his car. Luckily it was something he already knew how to do, having gone through a period where he’d wanted to learn just for the hell of it. In a matter of a minute, the engine roared to life. Darius took the longer route to get home, to avoid as many main streets as possible. It being so late, there weren’t that many people around to see him drive by.

At his place, he had to break one of the small windows that lined either side of the front door to get in. The amount of glass repairs he’d have to have done were racking up.

Darius headed straight to the small temple just off the living room. Standing before the altar, he closed his eyes to concentrate and sent out a call to the god he served. “Anubis, I have need of you.”

What troubles you, Darius? Anubis’ deep voice filled his head.

“Something happened while I was out on the hunt tonight. I’m stuck shifted.”

Show me.

Darius played the whole conversation with the disembodied male voice in his mind as Anubis watched the scenes play out. When the god didn’t say anything right away, Darius asked, “Do you have any clue who the voice belonged to?”

It was a demon. Normally, his kind wouldn’t have the power to force you to shift, especially while in the underworld. I have a feeling this one has found a way out of it and into the mortal realm.

“A demon? That doesn’t sound good.” Out of all his years of serving Anubis, not once had Darius come across one.

It isn’t. Let loose on mortals, there is no telling what a demon will do. But it seems for now he’s set his sights on you.

“Is there anything you can try to get me to shift back to my human form?”

Let me see what I can do.

Darius felt the god’s presence move inside him. He gritted his teeth as Anubis tried to bring on the shift, only to have it stop, keeping Darius trapped in his present form. Anubis brought it on several more times before he pulled out of Darius’ body.

I can’t get you to shift.

“So I’m stuck like this?” Darius did not like the sound of that.

I don’t think it’s something permanent. It has the feel of a spell. Dark magic, to be exact. But it’s not a very strong one. If it were, I never would have been able to start the change at all. I have a feeling it will wear off.

“Wear off? How long will that take? I could be trapped in this form for days. I won’t be able to leave the house. If mortals were to see me like this they’d freak.” Then Darius remembered about Brisa. “Oh shit.”

What?

“I was supposed to meet someone tonight. As of right now I’m late. She’s not going to be too happy with me if I don’t show up.”

Your date will have to wait. I think by morning the spell will have weakened enough to let the change come on naturally. If it doesn’t, I should be able to push past it enough to do it. For now, try to get some sleep.

Darius felt Anubis’ presence completely disappear. This had not turned out as he’d planned. Now he wouldn’t be able to see Brisa. And thinking about it, he had no way of phoning her, either. His cell phone had disappeared along with his clothes and keys. He was going to have to stand her up. Terrific. The night wasn’t going to end the way he’d wanted it. Not only that, but he’d have Brisa pissed-off at him. She was going to think he was an asshole.

* * *

“Still no sign of him?”

Brisa put down the glass she’d been drying and shook her head at Janey. “No, and the bar closes in two minutes.”

“Did you try calling him?”

“Yeah. About five times. It goes straight to his voice mail. I’ve left a message, but either Darius didn’t get it or he’s ignoring me. So much for the weekend he wanted to spend with me. And it looks as if I packed that bag for nothing.”

“Maybe something came up. You told me he was a bounty hunter or something. Maybe he had to go chase down a bad guy.”

“I think that’s just wishful thinking on your part, Janey. I figure Darius would have called if it were something like that.”

Her friend shrugged. “I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Plus, you seem really in to Darius. The way you’ve talked about him, I know you like him a lot.”

Brisa sighed. “The man is perfect. He has good looks, a great body, I actually enjoy being around him and he has money. But that’s the thing. He’s too perfect. I knew it had to be too good to be true. I’m not lucky enough to land a guy like Darius and actually get to keep him. Maybe he decided I’m not his type, after all.”

“Would you stop being so down on yourself? I think Darius is the one who is lucky to have you, not the other way around. I have a feeling he’ll call you tomorrow with an explanation as to why he didn’t show up tonight.” Janey winked. “Maybe you’ll get some apology sex out of him too.”

Brisa laughed. “Apology sex? I take it that’s like make-up sex?”

“Of course. Just wait and see. Darius won’t give up on you.” Janey looked at her watch. “Well, it’s closing time, which means I’m out of here. Try to have a good weekend, Brisa. And I want all the juicy details on Monday.”

Brisa shook her head as her friend walked away. Janey was always the optimist. Brisa, on the other hand, wasn’t much of one. In her eyes, Darius not showing up without calling wasn’t a good sign, especially after the afternoon they’d spent together. She’d thought for sure he was as in to her as she was in to him.

Finished doing the last-minute tasks of cleaning up behind the bar, Brisa went back to the room where she’d put her purse and the bag she’d packed for the night and weekend. The one she now didn’t need.

She left the bar and headed to the parking lot and her car. Usually when a guy stood her up that meant she didn’t give him a second chance. If he did it once he was liable to do it again. But if Darius called her tomorrow and had a legitimate excuse, she didn’t think she’d be able to tell him she didn’t want to see him. As she’d said to Janey, he was perfect in every way. He was the type of guy she’d hoped to meet, fall in love with and end up married to.

She gave herself a mental kick as she started her car, then pulled out of the lot. She was getting way ahead of herself. There was no guarantee Darius would even call her tomorrow. And she sure as shit wouldn’t call him. Coming across as desperate was not something she wanted to do. No, if he really wanted to see her again Darius would have to be the one doing the calling. And he’d better have a good excuse. He might be the ideal man she was looking for, but that didn’t mean she’d be his doormat.

* * *

Darius came awake as pain tore through his body. Once it was over, he held his hand up in front of his face and breathed a sigh of relief. He was back in his human form. The spell must have worn off as Anubis had said it would.

Sitting up, Darius stretched, feeling as if he really hadn’t slept at all. He’d probably spent the majority of what had been left of the night pacing, only to finally fall into bed shortly after dawn. He’d been too worried to sleep. About being stuck shifted, and about what Brisa’s reaction had been when he hadn’t shown up at the bar. Even though he didn’t think he could have a permanent relationship with her, that didn’t mean he was ready to let her go.

Darius stood and shoved his hand into the front pockets of his jeans, then took out his keys and cell phone. He threw the first on the bed and looked at the latter to make sure the battery wasn’t dead. He still had a couple of bars left.

It was just after nine a.m. It was a bit too early to call Brisa, considering she’d worked a night shift. Darius decided to shower first before he called her. If she refused to talk to him, he had every intention of going over to her apartment to try to convince her to see him.

By the time he finished all that it was going on quarter to ten. It was still fairly early, but Darius couldn’t wait any longer. He picked up his cell phone and called Brisa’s number. She picked up after the fourth ring.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Brisa.”

“Hi, Darius. I wasn’t sure if I’d hear from you today.”

He swore to himself. She sounded a bit ticked with him, which he totally understood. “I’m so sorry about last night. I planned to show up right until the last minute.”

“You could have called, you know. Actually, it would have been nice if you had instead of leaving me to wonder if you just forgot about me.”

“I would have if I could. I’d forgotten to take my phone with me, and by the time I got home it was so late I knew you would be asleep. That’s why I’m calling now. I still want to spend the weekend with you, Brisa. Can I come and pick you up? We can go out for some breakfast, then I’ll bring you back here. Please don’t be angry at me.”

He heard her sigh on the other end. “If I say yes, you have to promise never to stand me up again. I won’t give you another chance if you do.”

“You have my word.” At least Darius hoped nothing like this happened again.

“All right. Like I said, this is the last time I’ll overlook you standing me up.”

“I’ll make it up to you. I just have to take care of one thing here, then I’ll come to your apartment.”

“Okay. See you then.”

Darius hung up then headed to the garage. He found a piece of plywood he had lying around and roughly cut it to the shape of the window he’d had to break the night before. With a few nails to tack it in place until he had it repaired, Darius figured it would be good enough. His car wouldn’t be quite so easy to jerry-rig. He’d have to take it in to get it repaired, but not today, which left only his motorcycle. He hoped Brisa wouldn’t mind riding on the back of it.

Chapter Five

Brisa opened her apartment door and stepped back for Darius to come inside. It was a half-hour since he’d called and asked to see her. As she’d predicted, hearing his voice, she hadn’t been able to tell him no. And it hadn’t helped that she’d awoken that morning after having an erotic dream that starred Darius. She’d been so turned-on that her pussy had been wet, aching to be filled.

“Do you want to go out for some breakfast?” Darius asked once she shut the door behind him.

“Actually, I’m not much of a breakfast eater. Give me a cup of tea and I’m fine until lunch. But thanks for the offer, anyway.”

Darius met her gaze. “You’re mad at me.”

She shook her head. “Not really. I’d say it’s more like annoyed. I don’t like being left in the lurch like that.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up against his chest. “I’m sorry. I tried everything in my power to make it, but it didn’t happen. I wasn’t happy about it, believe me. I’d looked forward to being with you again. I missed not showing you my bed.”

Brisa put her hands on Darius’ chest and smiled. “Yeah, you were going to do that.”

He bent his head and brushed his lips across hers. “Do you think you can forgive me enough to come and see it now?”

Her heart rate increased at the thought of what they’d do in his bed. It looked as if she’d get some apology sex, after all. “Hmm, I think I can be persuaded.”

“Maybe this will help.”

Darius took her mouth fully. He held her tighter as he pushed his tongue past her lips, twining it with hers. Pressed against him from chest to knees, Brisa felt how hard his cock was. Her pussy clenched in reaction as a surge of arousal shot through her. She wanted him, there was no denying that.

After another minute, Darius lifted his head. “Well?”

It took Brisa a few seconds to understand what he asked. “Oh, I’d say that definitely helped.”

“Good, because if I have to do more persuading we’ll never get out of here.”

A shiver of anticipation ran down Brisa’s back. “Should I go pack an overnight bag?”

“Make it for two nights.”

Brisa left Darius standing at the door and rushed to her bedroom. She made short work of throwing what she needed into the athletic bag she’d used the night before. She stopped at the bathroom to get her toothbrush before she returned to Darius.

“All set,” she said.

He took the bag from her and opened the door. Darius waited in the hallway as Brisa locked it behind her. He took her hand, linking their fingers together, as he guided her over to the elevators.

Once they were outside, he led her to the visitors parking lot. Not seeing Darius’ car, but noticing he walked toward a motorcycle, Brisa had to force herself to keep following him.

She swallowed when Darius unlocked a helmet from the side of the bike and handed it to her. She gave him a weak smile. “You aren’t driving your car,” she said, stating the obvious.

“With the craziness of last night, the driver’s side window was smashed. I have to take it in to get repaired.”

“Maybe I should drive my car and follow you.”

Darius gave her a crooked smile. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to ride on a motorcycle.”

“Well, maybe a little. They can be dangerous.”

“Only if you don’t know what you’re doing. You have nothing to worry about. I’m a good driver.”

“What about my bag?”

He took it from her and put the strap over his head so it lay diagonally across his chest. “It can sit on my lap.”

“Darius, I really don’t know.”

He kissed the tip of her nose as he took the helmet she still held. He placed it on her head and did the strap up under her chin. “You’ll be fine, Brisa. Just put your arms around my waist and hold on tight.”

She watched him get the second helmet and put it on. He climbed onto the bike and adjusted her bag so it was in front of him. Darius patted the seat behind him. Taking a deep breath for courage, hoping he was as good a driver as he’d said, Brisa sat at his back. She put her arms around his waist, locking her hands together. He put up the kickstand, and with a press of a button, started the bike’s engine. As he drove out of the lot, she held on for dear life.

After they’d driven down a few streets, Brisa forced herself to watch the scenery go by. Being on the back of the motorcycle wasn’t as scary as she’d thought it would be. Mostly because Darius wasn’t driving like a speed demon.

She soon changed her opinion about that when he sped up and took a corner too fast for her liking. She clutched Darius even tighter, sure she was cutting off some of his circulation to his waist. Brisa didn’t care. She heard him chuckle over the roar of the motorcycle and realized he’d done it on purpose. In case he did it again, she put her face to the center of his back and closed her eyes. Eventually, the bike came to a stop, but Brisa didn’t open her eyes to see if they’d reached their destination, or if they were only stopped at a red light.

Darius patted her linked hands. “You can let go now, Brisa. We’re at my place.” The bike’s engine cut off after he’d said the last word.

She turned her head and opened her eyes. They sat in front of Darius’ large house on the drive by the front door. It took a few seconds for her to unlock her hands, then she swung her leg over the back of the motorcycle and got off. As she removed her helmet, Darius put down the kickstand before he joined her. He took the helmet from her and locked it to the bike as he’d done with his.

The first thing Brisa noticed when they walked closer to the door was the piece of plywood where a glass window had been next to it. She turned her gaze on Darius. “Did this happen last night as well?”

He gave her a half smile. “Yeah. I kind of locked myself out, so I punched out the window to get in. Let’s just say last night wasn’t my night.”

“I guess not.”

Darius let them inside the house. Brisa’s gaze landed on the banister and a small smile played on her lips as she remembered her wild rides down it the day before. She turned to say something along those lines to Darius, but found all the words left her head when she looked at him. He stared at her as if he wanted to gobble her up. Arousal spiked through her, making her insides melt. She wanted the gorgeous man who stood in front of her right here, right now.

Without a word, Brisa stepped into Darius’ arms and met his lips halfway when he lowered his head to kiss her. The passion that had flared to life at her apartment grew ten times hotter. He buried his hand in the hair at the back of her head as he angled his mouth for a tighter fit, nipping and sucking at her lips.

She fisted her hands in the front of Darius’ t-shirt, trying to drag him even closer when they were already as close as they could get. Her pussy throbbed, wetness pooling between her thighs. She moaned into his mouth, loving the taste of him on her tongue.

Darius shifted his hands to her waist and released her mouth. “I think we’ll be more comfortable upstairs.”

“My thoughts exactly,” she said, a bit breathless.

He took her hand and tugged her up the staircase. At the top, Darius guided her down the hallway to the end where they stepped into his large bedroom. Brisa took in the high ceiling, small sitting area at one side and the king-sized, four-poster bed, which was the focal point of the room.

She turned back to Darius at the sound of her bag hitting the hardwood floor. His heated gaze ran over her body. Brisa shivered as if he’d touched her physically. He closed the distance between them and took her in his arms. His cock, thick and hard, nestled against her belly, making her ache even more.

“I think you should strip me naked and have your way with me,” Brisa said in a husky voice.

Darius groaned. “Have to love a woman who knows what she wants.”

He lifted the bottom of her shirt. Brisa held up her arms as he yanked it all the way off. Her bra quickly followed, leaving her naked from the waist up. Darius circled a taut nipple with the tip of his finger before he moved to the top of her jeans. Brisa toed off her shoes and kicked them to the side. He undid the button and zipper, shoving the material past her hips until it fell down her legs to pool around her ankles. She stepped out of her jeans and shoved them out of the way.

Her panties were hooked with a finger and stripped from her as Darius bent his head and sucked a nipple past his lips. Brisa held on to him for balance, pleasure shooting through her with each tug of his mouth. He paid the same amount of attention to the second before running his gaze over her entire body.

“You’re beautiful,” Darius said in a strained voice. “I can’t wait to be inside you.”

Brisa cupped the front of his jeans, squeezing his cock. “I want you, Darius. Don’t make me wait any longer.”

With a noise that sounded partway to a growl, Darius tore his shirt over his head and tossed it away. His pants were jerked down and kicked aside. Brisa watched as each inch of male flesh was uncovered. Darius was all hard muscle without an inch of fat anywhere.

Brisa dropped her gaze to his cock. Fully engorged, it stuck out straight from his body. She licked her lips as she remembered what it had been like to have it in her mouth. She wrapped her hand around his thick length and pumped, loving the sensation of him in her grasp. Her pussy clenched. It would feel so good having him fill her, sliding in and out.

Darius picked her up and gently placed her on the center of the bed before he followed her down. He took her mouth in a demanding kiss while a hand delved between her legs. She spread them wider, aching for Darius’ touch. He caressed along her pussy, a finger dipping inside. A second soon joined it as he stroked them in and out. Brisa clenched her inner walls around the digits working her, pleasure surging through her with each pass of his thumb over her clit.

Brisa broke the contact with his mouth. “Darius,” she moaned. “Now. I’m more than ready for you.”

“Then no more waiting,” he replied huskily.

Darius shifted so he lay on top of her with his hips wedged between her thighs. The head of his cock pushed against her pussy. Brisa bent her legs and matched each of his strokes as he slowly worked his erection inside her. His thickness stretched her, filling her up, feeling as good as she’d imagined it would. Once he was sheathed to the hilt, they were both breathing heavy.

Canting back his hips, Darius almost pulled all the way out before he slid back home. In and out he pumped, driving her ever closer to her climax. It wasn’t going to take much to send her flying, not this first time. His thrusts became faster, harder. The sound of their combined moans filled the room.

Darius lifted his upper body onto his hands, his hips continuing to thrust between her spread thighs. He angled his inward strokes so he hit just the right spot that gave her the most pleasure. Brisa clutched at his arms, matching his pace, feeling his cock grow even harder deep inside her. She was so close. It would only take a few more thrusts and she’d come.

Once, twice he pistoned into her, then she whimpered his name as her body shattered with an intense orgasm. Her inner walls clutched and released his erection, milking it in a tight fist. Darius continued to move until her climax ended.

Having not come when she had, he pulled out and urged her onto her stomach. Hands on her hips, he lifted her up onto her knees. Brisa held her upper body on her bent arms as Darius shifted behind her. He ran his fingers down her back in a caress and plunged back into her pussy.

He set a fast pace, sinking in deeper than he had in the other position. Again, she felt her body coiling tighter, another orgasm building. Brisa pushed back to match Darius’ strokes. He held on to her hips as he took her in hard thrusts.

Her second climax snuck up on her and crashed over her in a torrent. Darius pumped into her once, then a second time, before he leaned down, blanketing her with his body. Brisa felt the scrape of sharp teeth at her back where her shoulder and neck met, but was too lost in the sensations tearing through her body to care. She felt Darius’ cock pulse deep inside her pussy while he moaned and groaned, holding her tightly to him.

Once it was over, he brought them both down to their sides, her head tucked under his chin. She felt completely surrounded by him, his body heat sinking into her skin. She snuggled closer, content just to lie in his arms.

Darius’ breathing slowly returned to normal, as did Brisa’s. He was sated, but he had a feeling that wouldn’t last long. He’d want her again shortly. Deep down inside, he didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her. Sex with Brisa didn’t compare with the one-night stands he’d only allowed himself since becoming one of Anubis’ warriors. The pleasure he found in her arms was more intense, more fulfilling.

The only thing that marred what was otherwise the best sex of his life was what had happened just before he’d come. He’d had an almost overpowering urge to mark Brisa, to sink his teeth into her, then keep them there as he filled her with his cum. As if in response, he’d felt the burning in his gums as his eyeteeth had become longer, sharper, what they were like when he was in his shifted form. But unlike the last time he’d had an unexpected shift, only his teeth had changed, nothing else. And the instant his orgasm had ended they’d gone back to normal.

Darius kissed the top of Brisa’s head as she pressed against him. His cock twitched in renewed interest, but he did nothing about it. He wanted to give Brisa enough time to recover before he took her again.

“You’re awfully quiet back there,” she said, a smile sounding in her voice.

“I’m just enjoying having you in my arms.”

Brisa rolled to her other side so she faced him. “I have to admit I like being in yours as well.”

“Have I made it up to you for last night?”

She kissed his chin. “I’d say that was a good start.”

“A start?”

“Yes. You didn’t think I’d let you off that easy, did you? I have to make you work for it a little.”

“I hope this doesn’t mean you’re going to be a hard woman to please,” Darius said with a grin.

“I’m not hard, but I’m hoping you will be again very soon.” She glanced down pointedly at his cock.

Darius laughed as he rolled to his back, taking Brisa with him so she ended up sprawled atop him. He shoved his fingers into her hair and brought their lips together. He kissed her long and thorough until his cock was well on its way to being hard.

“Is this what you want?” he asked, voice rough with renewed arousal.

Brisa rocked against him. “Mmm, very much so.”

“Then I suggest you use it.”

“Oh, I will.”

She took his mouth this time, all teeth, lips and tongue. Brisa shifted a bit to the side and trailed her hand down his front until she reached his cock. She wrapped her fingers around it and pumped. Darius lifted his hips, pushing himself tighter into her grip. He grew harder, wanting to sink back inside the warm wetness between her legs, but he let Brisa keep the control.

Letting go of her hair, he reached between them and covered her breast. The taut nipple pressed against his palm. He squeezed and plucked at the tight peak. Brisa moaned softly. The sound seemed to wrap around his cock, stroking him along with her hand.

Brisa sucked on his tongue before she released his mouth and straddled him. She lifted onto her knees, still holding on to the base of his shaft. She impaled herself on his erection, taking him all the way inside her pussy. Darius had to fist his hands in the sheets beneath him to stop himself from taking hold of her hips and ramming up into her.

Up and down she rode him, her inner walls squeezing around his cock, driving him mad with desire. Unable to lie still any longer, Darius surged up until he sat upright. He cupped one of Brisa’s breasts and dragged his tongue across her nipple before he sucked on it. She dug her nails into the tops of his shoulders, giving a little bit of pain to go along with his pleasure.

Brisa set a faster pace, her moans filling his head, as she rocked against him. Darius released her nipple and left a trail of wet kisses over her chest as he reached between them and found her clit. He rubbed the little bundle of nerves with the tip of a finger. Brisa threw back her head and let out a whimpered moan as her pussy rhythmically clutched and released his cock while she came.

Feeling the point of no return rushing up to meet him, Darius took hold of Brisa’s hips and moved her on and off him. He looked down and watched his shaft sliding in and out of her pussy. Just as he started to come, he felt the burning in his gums, the telltale sign that his eyeteeth had become longer, sharper. The urge to bite Brisa surged through him. He viciously fought it, clenching his teeth together so hard his jaw ached. He pushed up into her one final time, lifting her knees off the bed, his orgasm taking him over.

Spent, Darius nuzzled the hollow of Brisa’s throat and wrapped his arms around her. She embraced him, stroking his back. That was the second time his teeth had changed, both instances when he’d been about to come. At least he’d been able to keep it from Brisa. But it was something he’d have to tell Anubis about.

Chapter Six

“Come on, Brisa. Nobody is going to see you.”

She gave Darius a stare that said she wasn’t totally convinced. They were outside in his backyard in the late-afternoon sun. After they’d scrounged up some lunch in his kitchen that consisted of sandwiches, he’d suggested they come out here to take a dip in his hot tub. The first thing Brisa had said was that she didn’t have a bathing suit with her. Darius’ reply had been she didn’t need one.

So now here she stood only wearing one of Darius’ t-shirts, which was miles too big, as he stood at the edge of the hot tub with just a towel around his waist to hide his nakedness.

“Are you sure your neighbors can’t see into your backyard?” she asked.

“Brisa, I have over an acre of land, and privacy fences surround the whole thing.”

Darius turned away from her and dropped the towel to the concrete at the edge of the hot tub before climbing in. The man had no shame, but with a body like his, she figured he had no reason to have any. She didn’t have issues with hers, but that didn’t mean she liked to go running around outside butt naked.

“Come on, Brisa,” Darius urged. “Just do it.” When she didn’t move so much as an inch to do as he suggested, he said, “Do you want me to strip you out of my shirt and throw you in?”

Brisa sighed. She had a feeling he’d do that if she didn’t get in by herself. She walked closer to the hot tub. “Fine, I’ll do it, even though I’ll feel uncomfortable as all hell.” Before she could talk herself out of it, she whipped off the large t-shirt and quickly clambered into the hot tub next to Darius. “Happy now?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said with a sexy smile. He pulled her down so she sat on his lap. “Now isn’t this nice?”

Actually, it was. “All right, this was a good idea.” She wrapped her arms around Darius’ shoulders. “Just don’t expect me to go into the pool. It’ll be freezing after being in here.”

“It just makes it refreshing.”

“No, it makes it damn cold.”

“You win. No pool, at least not for you.”

With that said, Darius pushed her off his lap before he pulled himself up onto the side of the hot tub. In long strides, he reached the pool and dove into the deep end. Brisa watched as his head broke the surface of the water.

“Cold?” she asked.

He shook his hair out of his eyes. “No. It’s perfect.” Darius swam to the end, then started doing laps.

Brisa followed him with her gaze. His muscular shoulders and arms flexed with each stroke he made. She sighed to herself. She was falling for Darius, and it was something she never expected to happen so fast. She had her share of infatuations, been in lust with more than a couple of men, but not like what she felt right now for the man in the pool.

She knew she wasn’t doing herself any favors by letting her feelings get too involved in a start of a relationship, but knowing and doing were two different things. And she wouldn’t be telling Darius how she felt about him, either. Not right now, at least. She didn’t know him well enough yet to know if he was the type of guy who wouldn’t run for the hills when a woman told him how she truly felt about him.

No, she was better off keeping that knowledge to herself. Brisa would just have to watch that she didn’t get her heart broken if she and Darius didn’t work out. For now, she’d enjoy just being with him.

Darius hauled himself out of the pool and jumped into the hot tub. Before she knew what he intended, he scooped her up in his arms and got out of the warm water. Brisa struggled when he headed back to the pool.

“Don’t you dare,” she said in her sternest tone.

“You mean this?”

He took a few running steps and jumped into the pool. Brisa held her breath as they went under, then kicked away from Darius. She came up screaming like a banshee.

“That’s fricking cold,” she yelled.

Darius bellowed with laughter. “You look pretty hot when you’re angry.”

Using her palm, Brisa sent a wave of water in his face. He sent an even bigger one, making her sputter when she ended up with a mouthful. That started a water fight, which ended with Brisa surrendering and feeling as if she’d swallowed half the water in the pool.

Back in the warmer water, she watched Darius climb in beside her. He pulled her close and kissed her slow and tender. Goose bumps rose on her skin, and not from being cold.

Once he lifted his head, he said, “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For giving me a chance to let loose and have some fun. My life hasn’t given me that opportunity in a very long time. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to not be so serious.”

Brisa put her arms around Darius. “I’m glad I can give it to you, even though it was at my expense. You do realize that now I’ll have to think of something to get you back for dumping me in the pool?”

“I guess that means I should keep an eye on you then.”

He gave her a grin that did warm things to her body. Yup, she was in trouble. It wouldn’t take much for Darius to worm his way into her heart, and once there, she’d want to keep him forever.

* * *

Darius sat across from Brisa at the restaurant they’d picked to have dinner. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable day. Most of it stemmed from the woman who was coming to mean more to him than she should.

Since pledging himself to the god of the underworld, he’d only thought about the job he did for Anubis. Darius had never thought about doing anything beyond that. He realized now he’d basically been living half a life. He may be immortal, but that didn’t mean he had to keep himself distanced from mortals. Brisa had shown him that.

“So what do you want to do for the rest of the weekend?” Brisa asked. Their waitress had already taken their orders and they were just waiting for the food to arrive.

Darius reached across the table and captured her hand in his. “Get you naked in my bed and not let you out until Monday.” Brisa licked her lips, reminding him of what it felt like to have them wrapped around his cock. It jerked, pressing up against the zipper of his jeans.

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” she said, her voice tinged with a seductive huskiness.

He sucked in a big gulp of air and smelled the scent of Brisa’s arousal. His cock went hard. One sniff and he was raring to go. She enticed him like no other. The longer he spent with her, making love to her or just talking, he felt as if he never wanted to let her go. Even though they’d only known each other for a couple of days, he felt as if Brisa had been a part of his life for much longer.

“Does that mean you’d be willing to get our food for takeout instead?” he asked.

Brisa shook her head. “No way. I’m starving. You promised a meal out at a nice restaurant, and I’m holding you to it.”

As if on cue, the waitress returned with their orders. Wearing a smile, Brisa picked up her fork and dug into her food with gusto. Darius settled for watching her eat. Even though she wasn’t doing anything overtly sexy, she was still turning him on. His gaze followed her tongue as she licked the melted butter off her fingers after dipping the crab she’d ordered into it. He got so caught up in Brisa, he ate without really tasting anything. The throbbing in his cock—and the person who caused it to be in that condition—demanded too much of his attention.

Brisa held out a bit of her food. “Would you like some crab? It’s really good.”

Drawn to her like a moth to a flame, Darius leaned forward over the table. He opened his mouth for the morsel she offered. She placed it on his tongue. He closed his lips around Brisa’s fingers before she could pull away and licked each one thoroughly clean, then released her.

He didn’t miss how much faster she breathed. Her cheeks had a splash of color on them that hadn’t been there a few seconds ago. And her scent had become more potent, telling him he’d gotten to her.

“Feed me something off your plate,” Brisa said.

Darius selected a plump shrimp, using his fingers instead of his fork. It had been cooked in lemon butter, so he ran it through the extra sauce before he picked it up. Brisa leaned forward as he’d done and opened her mouth. Instead of waiting for him to give it to her, she took it from him, closing her lips around his digits.

He had to hold back the moan of pleasure that threatened to break free when she pushed the shrimp to the side of her mouth, then sucked and licked his skin. She pulled back, scraping her teeth along his fingers. Too much more of that and he’d be making a mess in his jeans. Something he hadn’t done since he was a young teenager.

“Give me another one,” Brisa said after finishing the mouthful, her eyes taking on a slumberous look.

He shook his head and cleared his throat. “If I do, you’ll find yourself dragged outside, put up against the nearest wall away from prying eyes and have me between your thighs before you know what hit you.”

“Oh my,” she breathed and waved a hand in front of her face. “Did it just suddenly get very hot in here?”

It had, at least between him and Brisa. Darius was surprised not to see waves of heat rolling off them. Passion had flared to life in an instant, growing more intense by the second. He needed to get her out of the restaurant. His hunger for her was outdoing his need for food.

“I suggest we hurry up and finish our meals,” Darius said. “Then we can have our own dessert back at my place, which doesn’t necessarily have food involved.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Stop talking and eat.” Brisa attacked her plate, eating at a faster pace than she had before.

The bill paid and the waitressed tipped, Darius walked Brisa out of the restaurant. It was now evening, the sky just starting to darken. They were halfway to his car—he’d managed to have the window fixed on the way to the restaurant, since Brisa refused to ride on his motorcycle—when he felt it, the familiar pull on him. Given how he wasn’t on the verge of a shift coming on, he figured the evil he sensed wasn’t in the middle of a criminal act. But that didn’t mean he could just drive away with Brisa and ignore it. Once an evildoer had been sensed he physically couldn’t walk away until he’d dealt with the individual.

“What’s the matter?” Brisa asked as he slowed their steps.

Fighting to not follow where the pulling would take him, Darius racked his brain to come up with a reasonable excuse as to why he had to leave her for a little while. Something that wouldn’t have her wanting to go with him. He’d never told a mortal about what he was, and hadn’t made up his mind if he wanted Brisa to know. For now, it had to remain his secret.

“Nothing,” he said. “I just have to make a quick stop in the restaurant’s men’s room. Sorry. I’ll be quick.” They reached his vehicle. “I’ll let you in the car first.”

Darius unlocked the passenger door and held it open as Brisa sat on the seat. The pulling sensation became stronger, and would the longer he ignored it. Once she brought her legs in, he shut her inside, then turned to head back to the restaurant.

At the door, he looked behind him to see Brisa had turned her head to watch him through the window. He ducked inside the entrance, then waited until she looked away. Darius slipped outside and ran in the direction of the rear of the restaurant, where he was being led.

After Darius disappeared through the restaurant’s door, Brisa looked down as she adjusted her purse on her lap. She looked in the direction Darius had gone again and could have sworn she saw him running around the corner of the building, heading toward the rear of it. But only having glimpsed the back of a male figure before it was out of sight, she wasn’t all that sure it had been him.

When a couple of minutes ticked by and there was no sign of Darius walking out to the parking lot, Brisa felt her curiosity getting the better of her. Maybe that had been him running to the back of the building. More than likely wrong, that didn’t stop her from getting out of the car and heading in the direction she’d seen the man going.

Brisa gave the entrance doors a quick look as she came closer just to make sure Darius still wasn’t there. Not seeing him, she continued on. It was getting darker and the alleyway she entered after rounding a corner was mostly in shadows. She was probably wasting her time, trudging around in the dark. She wouldn’t find anything and would end up going back to the car to find Darius waiting, wondering where she’d gone.

She heard what sounded like a bit of a scuffle at the opposite end of where she walked, a place where the light over the back entrance of the restaurant didn’t quite reach. Brisa squinted, trying to see into the darkness. She went closer, and figured she had to be seeing things. A very tall figure that looked half human and some kind of animal stood in front of a man.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” she called.

After blinking a couple of times, still not really having a clear picture of what she thought she saw, the beast thing disappeared, along with the man she thought she’d seen.

Okay, she definitely was seeing things that weren’t there. Deciding Darius had to be at the car already, and that he hadn’t come back here, Brisa turned on her heel and walked the way she’d come. At the car, Darius still wasn’t there. She got inside. She’d give him another minute or so, then go look for him in the restaurant. He was taking too long for just having to use the toilet.

A minute almost up, that’s when she saw Darius finally walk through the entrance doors and out into the parking lot. He hurried across it and got into the car once he reached it.

“Sorry,” he said. “I had to wait my turn. I guess more than a few people needed to use the facilities at the same time I did.”

“I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you. So you only went to use the men’s room and didn’t run outside to the back of the building?”

He gave her a confused look. “No. Why?”

Brisa shook her head. “Nothing. I just thought I saw something, but obviously I was mistaken.” She leaned across her seat and gave Darius a hard kiss. “Now didn’t you say something about getting some kind of dessert at your house?”

He returned her kiss before he pulled away and put the key in the ignition. “You’re right. I did.” He started the car, then drove out of the parking lot.

Darius snuck glances at Brisa from the corner of his eye as he drove toward his home. That had been too close for comfort. Not in a million years had he expected her to end up in that alley behind the restaurant. He’d just about shit bricks when he’d heard her calling out to see if anyone else was there. Only being well-practiced at hiding in the shadows had saved his ass from being caught. It hadn’t been hard to keep his prey quiet.

Once Brisa had left, he’d quickly dispatched the evildoer, a rapist, to Anubis. Then he’d had to sneak his way into the restaurant through the back door. There had been no way he could risk going around to the front from the outside. Brisa would have seen him for sure.

After this close call, Darius decided he and Brisa would stay at his house for the rest of the weekend. While she was with him, he couldn’t run the risk of sensing evil. As long as he didn’t feel the pull he was safe. Taking the weekend off would be a nice change, anyway. Especially considering he hadn’t taken any time off from his duty to Anubis, not once in the close to eight hundred years since becoming a warrior. He figured he’d earned it.

Arriving home, Darius pulled the car into the garage. He let Brisa inside the house through the connecting entrance there. He’d just clicked the lock into place and had turned around when he found himself pushed up against the door with Brisa all over him.

She nuzzled the front of his chest as she worked the fasteners on his jeans. “I’ve been dying to do this for most of the time we were out.”

Brisa yanked his pants down past his waist, springing his cock. It went instantly hard. She went down on her knees, took hold of him in a firm grip and sucked him into her mouth. Darius banged the back of his head against the door as waves of pleasure went through him, centering on his dick and what Brisa was doing to him.

He moaned and dropped his keys. He looked down to watch Brisa taking his cock in and out of her mouth. The sight had him hardening even more. No longer able to hold still, he pumped his hips, matching the rhythm she’d set. Besides sucking on him, each time he slid almost out, she swirled her tongue around the head of his shaft, then stroked the sensitive underside. She brought him to the verge of coming, but Darius didn’t want that. He wanted to be buried in her pussy when he reached his release. Wanted her to come when he did.

He pulled Brisa to her feet and switched positions so she was the one with the door at her back. He undid her jeans, yanked them down her legs and off, taking her panties with them. Her weight felt like nothing as he lifted her. She put her legs around his waist, her pussy coming up against his cock. He groaned as her wetness bathed his erection.

Keeping her pressed against the door, Darius pulled back slightly, then pushed inside Brisa, sheathing himself to the hilt with one thrust. He pulled back again before pushing all the way home. She locked her ankles at the small of his back, using her heels to urge him on as he pumped in and out. This would be hard and fast. He couldn’t take it slow, he wanted her too much.

“Yes, Darius,” Brisa moaned. “Just like that.”

“I want you to come for me,” he said as he continued to thrust into her. “I’m too close.”

“So am I. Only a little bit more.”

Then Brisa was crying out his name, her hips arching as her pussy milked his cock with her release. Darius followed her, holding himself tight to her as he filled her with his cum. This time the need to bite her didn’t surface, nor did his teeth change. It made Darius think the two times it had happened had been a fluke. Or their lovemaking had been over too quickly.

Totally out of breath, his legs shaking since he’d come so hard, Darius pulled Brisa away from the door. She put her arms around his neck and held on. After pulling his pants up near his hips, high enough for him to walk without having to worry about falling, or dropping Brisa, he turned and headed for the foyer. He then went up the stairs.

Inside his room, he placed Brisa on the center of his bed. She stripped out of the rest of her clothes while he shed his. Naked, he climbed in beside her and tugged her in his arms with her positioned along his side with her head pillowed on his chest.

Darius kissed the top of her head when he felt her relax and heard her breathing even out. The nap would do her good. Considering he couldn’t get enough of her, he pretty much assumed he’d keep her up most of the night.

Brisa sighed, blowing a puff of air across his chest. Sated for now, Darius closed his eyes. The last thing he thought about before he followed her into slumber was how good it felt to have her in his arms as he slept.

Chapter Seven

Darius turned his head and looked at Brisa who lay on her back, fast asleep. It was almost dawn, and as predicted, he’d kept her up for most of the hours of darkness. She didn’t stir as he carefully slipped out of bed. He picked up his jeans before he silently walked out of the bedroom. Outside in the hall, he pulled them on.

He headed down the stairs. He needed to talk to Anubis again, without Brisa being around. After the quickie they’d had once they arrived back from the restaurant, he and Brisa had made love three more times. Each of those had been longer, felt more intense. And each time his eyeteeth had dropped. One bout, he’d come so close to biting Brisa, he’d nipped her hard enough to almost break the skin.

Inside the mini-temple, Darius closed the door behind him, then approached the altar. As before, after he called out to the god of the underworld, Anubis was quick to reply.

Darius.

“I don’t know if that demon’s spell completely wore off. I’m still having shifting problems.”

In what way?

Darius paused. Even though Anubis was male, Darius still disliked talking about his sex life with anyone. He figured that was his private business. He never bragged about his sexual conquests.

“It happens while I’m in bed with a woman. Well, one in particular. Brisa. When I reach…completion, my eyeteeth become longer, and I have the almost overwhelming urge to bite her where her shoulder and neck meet. I haven’t yet, bitten her that is. But I came pretty damn close once. That’s never happened to me before, which has me thinking the demon’s spell must be having an influence over me still.”

Anubis chuckled in Darius’ head. Let me assure you that the spell is completely gone. That’s not the reason behind this new change in you. It’s the woman.

“I don’t understand.”

It’s Brisa who brings on your urge to bite her. She’s your mate, Darius.

“My mate?” Darius asked, feeling very confused. “How is that possible? I pledged to serve you. There is no room in my life for a woman.”

Yes, you did, but I never expected you to be alone forever. I don’t expect it for any of my warriors, though those of you who were the first to pledge will take longer to find the woman meant for you. You’re the first.

“Brisa is mortal. It can’t work.”

Yes, it can. I gave you all the ability to bind your mate to you. One bite and her life force will be tied to yours.

“That’ll give Brisa immortality, but won’t it also mean that if I die so does she? If I literally lose my head, it’s all over for me.”

True, but I’ve made you strong enough, so the chance of any prey being capable of doing that is next to nil.

“Then why not make her an immortal yourself as you did me?”

For me to do that, she’d have to be near death and call out to me the same way you did, asking to be saved. That is the only way I’m allowed to grant immortality. Would you like to put your mate through that?

“No.” Feeling death slowly closing in, desperate to cling to life, was not a pleasant experience. “No, I wouldn’t want that for Brisa.”

Then you must bite her, but give her the choice first. Tell her exactly what you are. You can’t force her into it. That I won’t allow.

“I’d never do that to her.”

And he wouldn’t. Choosing immortality was a decision that couldn’t be made lightly. As for his feelings about Brisa being his mate, it felt right. He’d already started to lose his heart to her. Now knowing what she meant to him, Darius didn’t want to let her go. Ever. He just hoped she could accept him and the world he lived in. Having to let her go would be beyond hard.

* * *

Brisa rolled to her side and reached for Darius. Feeling the spot next to her on the bed empty, and finding the sheets cool, she came awake. A quick look around the room showed he wasn’t there.

She sat up and stretched. It was still very early in the morning. Weak light shone through the crack in the curtains, chasing away some of the darkness in the room. In need of something to drink, Brisa pushed out of bed, deciding to go in search of some water and Darius.

Finding his t-shirt on the floor where he’d thrown it the evening before, she slipped it on. Out in the hallway, Brisa walked to the top of the stairs. She looked down, but didn’t see any lights on. Not letting that stop her, she took the steps to the main floor.

It was easy enough for her to find the kitchen. Her eyes adjusted to the near dark, she didn’t bother with the lights and headed for the large stainless-steel fridge. Brisa opened it, happy to see some bottled water inside. She took one and twisted off the cap, closing the fridge with her hip as she took a big drink before she placed the bottle on the counter.

Her thirst taken care of, she went in search of Darius. He had to be around here somewhere. The living room was the first place she looked. Stepping inside the room, it appeared empty, but then she heard the muffled murmur of someone talking. The deep, slightly accented voice belonged to Darius.

Brisa looked around, at first not sure where he could be, then spotted the closed door. She stepped closer. Without knocking she pulled it open. Then felt her jaw drop when she took in the smaller room.

The walls were painted a stark white, whereas the living room’s were a dark beige. There were quite a few ancient Egyptian-looking pieces spaced throughout it. Framed pictures looked like those found on the pharaohs’ tombs in Egypt, painted in jewel tones and gold on real papyrus paper. There were small statues and other works of art. The majority of the items depicted the god of the dead, Anubis. And standing near the back of the room, in front of what suspiciously looked like an altar, was Darius.

“What are you doing in here?” she asked.

Darius whipped around, surprise showing on his face. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“So you came down here and closed yourself in a room that looks dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god, Anubis?”

“I know you’ll think this sounds crazy, but being in here helps me relax.”

“And you talk to yourself too? I heard you.”

“I was…ah…praying.”

She gave Darius a quizzical look. “You pray to a god from an ancient race of people?”

He looked decidedly uncomfortable as he shifted in place. “It’s just something I do sometimes, all right?”

Brisa gazed around the room again. “Well, this explains the tattoo on your chest. You must be into the whole ancient Egyptian thing. At least now I know what I can get you for your birthdays and Christmas,” she said with a smile.

Darius closed the distance between them and reached out to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. “Does that mean you’ll stick around for both those things? Do you want to keep me, even though I have this strange hobby you might not understand?”

She chuckled. “It isn’t too strange, except maybe for the praying part, but I can live with it.” Brisa met his gaze shyly and put her arms around his waist. “Of course I do want to keep you. You have no idea how long I’ve lusted after you. You’d come to the bar and I’d spend most of the time staring at you, thinking of all the things I’d like to do to you.”

Darius smiled, making Brisa feel weak in the knees. “Well, I’m glad you decided to serve me the other night.”

“You can thank Janey, your waitress, for that. She’s a friend of mine, and she knew I liked you. She kind of coerced me into going to your table. She figured if it was left up to you, you’d never talk to me.”

“Then I’ll have to thank her on Monday night when I come in. I was a little slow on asking you out, but I did notice you. Why do you think I kept showing up at the bar night after night?”

Brisa lifted her arms and wound them around Darius’ neck. She pressed herself against him. “Janey will like that. She thinks you’re hot too, but don’t tell her boyfriend.”

Darius dropped his hands to her bottom, gripping it under the hem of the shirt she wore. “You’re completely naked under this.” He squeezed each globe of flesh.

“Of course I am. It’s too early to get dressed.” The last word was said through a large yawn. She gave Darius a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

He shook his head with a grin. “And it’s obviously too early for you to be up. I think we both could use some more sleep. Let’s get you back in bed.”

“As long as you join me.”

“I will. I think I’ll be able to sleep now.” Darius picked her up and carried her out of the room, shutting the door behind them.

“You don’t want to do anything else besides that?” Brisa asked as she played with the back of his hair.

“For now. Then we’ll get up in a couple of hours and I’ll make you breakfast in bed. How does that sound?”

“Make it brunch instead and I’m game. Remember, I’m not a breakfast eater.”

“Then brunch it is.”

Brisa put her head on Darius’ shoulder, liking the fact that he could pick her up and cart her around. It made her feel, well, womanly. Very feminine. And when he held her in his arms, she felt protected and cared for. Hearing how he wanted her to keep him did delicious things to her body. At the rate they were going, she just hoped it didn’t suddenly crash and burn, leaving her devastated.

* * *

Early that evening, Darius suggested they go for a walk on the beach. Brisa had been quick to agree. Since he had access to it from the back of his property, they only had to step through a gate Darius unlocked to reach the sand.

Hand in hand, they walked. Brisa enjoyed the colors of the sunset, breathing in the salty air. It looked as if Darius and she had the stretch of beach to themselves. Given that private residences lined it, she wasn’t too surprised.

Not too far from Darius’ property, Brisa stopped and took off her shoes. She couldn’t resist running to the edge of the water and walking in far enough for it to cover her feet. She could get used to this, having the beach right at her back door, able to enjoy the ocean without having to drive to it.

“How’s the water?” Darius called.

Brisa turned to face him. “Not too bad for how deep I’m only going to go. Wetting my feet is enough.”

She ran her gaze over him, noticing he’d taken off his shoes as well and now held them in his hand. Brisa didn’t think she’d ever tire of looking at him. He was handsome and sexy as all hell. And unbelievably all hers.

Walking out of the water, she headed for the man who was becoming to mean so much to her. Darius held his hand out to her, and Brisa hurried her steps to get to his side.

She’d just reached out, not quite touching his fingers, when a disembodied male voice said, “I found you again, warrior of Anubis.”

Darius stiffened, pulled back his hand and let out a bellow of pain. He gripped his head as he dropped to his knees. Brisa found herself frozen in place as his body began to change. In a matter of seconds, accompanied by the sound of his bones cracking as they realigned themselves, he’d taken on another form. He looked half human and half animal, his body completely covered in black fur. Whatever animal it was, it was sort of wolfish-looking, but she didn’t think it was that. After gaining his feet, he also stood a lot taller. He had to be no less than seven feet, his muscles even more thickly padded. She also took in the gold armbands around his wide biceps and the snow-white Egyptian-styled kilt he wore around the lower half of his body.

Looking this new Darius in his animal-like face, she took a step back. Her heart threatened to jump out of her chest. Fear beat at her, especially when she realized she’d seen him like this before. Her eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on her last night. She’d really seen him in this form, confronting another man, who she never saw leaving the alley.

“Brisa,” Darius said, his voice a lot gruffer and deeper than normal. “It’s all right. It’s still me in here.”

She took another step back. “What are you? I don’t understand? I saw you at the rear of the restaurant with another man. What happened to him? Did you kill him?”

“Just calm down. I can hear your heart racing. I’ll explain everything, but right now I have to get back to the house before someone sees me like this.”

Brisa looked Darius in the eyes. They had changed as well, looking more animal-like, except they were the same shade of blue as they were when he was human. He pleaded with them. She knew he wanted her to not freak out, but she was already walking a fine line.

“Please, Brisa,” he said. “I realize this is way beyond anything you expected. It’s going to be all right. Just come with me.”

Looking up and down the beach, Brisa saw how out in the open they were. One positive thing, it was better for her. She had more avenues of escape than she would at the house. But other than the shifting into a creature that shouldn’t exist, Darius hadn’t done anything to harm her. There was intelligence in those animal-like eyes, and he was still capable of speech. He might look like a beast that could kill her with one swipe of his claw-tipped hand, but he’d made no move to come any closer. He stood waiting for her to come to him.

Getting a grip on some of the fear coursing through her, Brisa gave a slight nod. She took a tentative step toward Darius, then another, but she didn’t take the hand he held out to her. She wasn’t quite ready for that yet.

Darius bent and picked up his shoes he’d dropped when the change had started. He silently walked beside her back up the beach to the gate to his property. Brisa kept some distance between them, half watching him and where she was going.

On his property, Darius paused at the gate to replace the padlock on the latch. He turned toward her once that task was done. Then he let loose with a growl that had Brisa ready to bolt, especially when a sword suddenly appeared in his hand.

“Brisa, get down!” he bellowed.

She instantly dropped to the ground, just as Darius closed the distance between them and swung the sword over her head. The sound of it meeting something equally metallic rang in her ears.

“You’re quick, warrior. I have to give you that,” said the same voice she’d heard on the beach. Only this time it didn’t seem to come from all around. It came from directly behind her.

Brisa slowly turned her head and looked up. A man stood at her back, holding a sword crossed with Darius’. He might appear human at first glance, but his glowing, red eyes told her otherwise. Her fear returning to its previous level, she crawled out of the way, then gained her feet and went to stand behind Darius, closer to the gate.

Darius growled. “I know what you are, demon. You’re not supposed to be in the mortal realm.”

The man—demon—laughed. “But here I am. And guess what, I didn’t escape the underworld alone. Others are hunting down the rest of the warriors of Anubis. We’re going to get rid of you all.”

Brisa screamed as the demon went on the attack, his sword moving so fast she could barely track it. Miraculously, Darius countered with the same speed. She stood, watching mesmerized, unable to move, as the fight began in earnest.

To her, Darius and the demon seemed evenly matched, but then Darius lost some ground, bringing the pair of them closer to Brisa. She walked backward until her back hit the gate and she stood in a bit of sand that had worked its way under it.

Growls continued to rumble out of Darius as he blocked each hit. He seemed to push the demon back a bit. She held her breath when a gold knife appeared in his other hand and he tried to slip it past the demon’s guard. His opponent ran his sword across Darius’ forearm before he kicked the smaller blade out of his hand. It landed close to Brisa’s feet.

“Your dagger won’t work on me, warrior. It was made only for the mortal evildoers you hunt. But this, on the other hand,” a dagger Brisa hadn’t seen him holding was thrust into Darius’ side, “was made specifically to take you out.”

Darius grunted in pain as he looked down at the dagger sticking from between his ribs. He dropped to his knees, his sword slipping from his fingers. He blinked his eyes, as if he were having a hard time seeing or staying conscious.

The demon laughed cruelly. “Right about now, you should be weakening. The blade is as spelled as your gold one. And from looking at you, I think it’s doing its job. Now all I have to do is finish you off.”

Brisa didn’t think, she just acted. She bent and picked up Darius’ gold dagger with one hand and a fistful of sand with the other. As the demon moved in to make his next strike, she threw the sand in his face, hitting him in the eyes. He cried out and staggered back a step, wiping at his face. Only thinking to protect Darius while he was down, she shifted closer to the demon and cut him across the cheek. He swung at her, knocking her to the ground.

She lifted her head, tasting blood in her mouth where he’d struck her, and saw Darius lurching to his feet with a loud growl. He went after the demon, all teeth and claws. Taking sword cuts to his belly and thigh didn’t deter Darius from trying to beat down his opponent. At one point, Brisa thought Darius was about to take the demon out, but just before he could make the final strike, the demon disappeared. His disembodied voice said, “I’ll be back, warrior, to take out you and your mortal bitch.”

Shaking all over, Brisa saw Darius sway on his feet. He let out a groan before he collapsed on the ground. She let out a shout and ran to his side. What fear she’d felt for him was now gone. The demon scared her more. Darius had done everything he could to protect her.

She knelt beside him and dropped the gold dagger. His eyes were closed. “Darius.” When he didn’t stir, she tried again, louder. “Darius! You have to wake up. I can’t get you into the house by myself.”

Thinking the worst when she still didn’t get any kind of reaction, she held her hand out in front of his muzzle. A puff of warm air hit her palm with each breath he took. Brisa sighed with relief.

Needing to rouse Darius, she took hold of his shoulders and shook him. He groaned. “Come on, Darius. You have to wake up.”

He finally opened his eyes. “Brisa?”

“Yeah, it’s me. We have to get you in the house.”

“The demon.”

“He’s gone. For now. Let’s get you on your feet.”

She grabbed his hand and stood before she slowly pulled him up in a sitting position. Getting him to stand proved a little more difficult. He was so much bigger than her. By the time she managed it, with his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist, she was breathing hard and her muscles were shaking from the strain.

Taking the time to only retrieve the two weapons, she steered Darius toward the back of the house. They stepped through the door at the kitchen, which Darius had left unlocked. That was as far as he made it. He stumbled, then fell. Brisa was forced to let him go before he dragged her down with him.

Chapter Eight

Still huffing and puffing, Brisa sat on the floor next to Darius. “We’ll rest for a bit, then try to get you upstairs.”

“No. Too far,” Darius said. “Take the dagger out. It’s making me weak. I should heal after that.”

She swallowed. “You want me to pull it out?”

“It’s the only way.”

Brisa stood, then crossed over to the light switch and flipped it on. While she was at it, she opened drawers until she found the one that had clean tea towels in it. She snatched up a few and returned to Darius.

She knelt, her gaze taking in the spots where the fur on his body was matted with blood. She swallowed past the large lump that formed in her throat. “If I pull out the dagger, you’re going to bleed, a lot.”

“Do it. Won’t heal unless you do.” Darius’ voice sounded weaker. His eyes kept trying to close.

Taking a deep breath for courage, Brisa gently wrapped her hand around the hilt of the dagger. She counted to three, then gave it a hard yank. It made a wet, sucking sound as it came free of Darius’ body. He growled. She dropped it to the floor and quickly wadded up a tea towel and pressed it to his side as blood seemed to gush from the wound. She continued to apply pressure, waiting to see his wounds heal as Darius said they would.

She started to feel concerned when the first towel became totally blood soaked. The second she reapplied was quickly doing the same. “Darius, I don’t think you’re healing.”

His head rolled toward her. “I’m not. Need help. Have to talk to Anubis. He can…” Darius passed out.

Brisa shook him several times, but she couldn’t rouse him. “No, no, no,” she said, a chill running down her spine. Darius continued to bleed profusely. At this rate, he’d bleed out.

Concentrating on what Darius had said before he’d lost consciousness, she remembered the small room off the living room that was dedicated to the Egyptian god, Anubis. Darius had said he had been praying to the god. Maybe he’d actually spoken with Anubis.

Desperate and ready to try anything, Brisa surged to her feet and ran to the living room. She whipped open the door to the other room inside it. Not sure if this would work, or that Anubis would actually hear her if he truly were real, she cleared her throat.

“Anubis, help me. Please. Darius needs you. I think he’s going to die if you don’t. There’s so much blood.”

Brisa held her breath and waited. Then just about jumped out of her skin when a voice filled her head.

Tell me what happened, Brisa.

“You know my name,” she squeaked. Brisa felt another presence in the room with her. Holy shit, she was actually talking to an Egyptian god.

Anubis chuckled. Yes, I know your name. Darius told me about you. Now what has happened?

“Darius and I were on the beach when he suddenly shifted into something half human and some kind of animal. Then a demon appeared and they fought. Darius ended up stabbed in the side with a spelled dagger that is making him too weak to heal. I can’t get him to stop bleeding. I’m afraid he’s going to die if you don’t help him.” Brisa’s breath hitched on the last words.

It’ll be all right. Darius is one of my warriors. He’s immortal. He can’t die from major blood loss. It will only make him very weak and vulnerable. The two spells—the one used to force him to shift and the one embedded in the dagger—must be stopping Darius from healing. I take it he’s still in his half-human and half-jackal form?

“Yes. He’s on the kitchen floor passed out.” A jackal. That made sense. Anubis was mostly portrayed as the jackal-headed god.

I can’t come to you, but I can be of assistance from the underworld. Stay here while I look Darius over.

Brisa impatiently waited for Anubis to speak again. The seconds seemed to drag on. She wanted to get back to Darius. The thought of leaving him alone, lying on the kitchen floor, bleeding all over it, made her anxious to return to him. Seeing him so wounded, looking as if he could be close to dying, all she could think of was that she didn’t want to lose him. She loved him. Brisa didn’t give a crap what he was, she just wanted the man. Wanted to see him unhurt, be as he’d been. She had to swallow back the tears that threatened to flow. Only one escaped, running down her cheek. With a rough sweep of her hand she wiped it away. Now was not the time to break down. Darius needed her.

Brisa?

“Yes.” The sound of Anubis’ voice never sounded so good.

I’ve done all I can for Darius. I managed to stop the bleeding, but until the spells wear off, he won’t be completely healed. The one used on the dagger is stronger than I’ve seen a demon capable of wielding.

“Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this demon, along with I don’t know how many others, have escaped the underworld. The demon said they were hunting down the rest of the warriors of Anubis.”

That could be the case. Usually demons don’t work together, though. This is something new. I’ll warn my other warriors.

“How long before the spells wear off?”

I would think both by morning. The one used to force Darius to shift could be before that. It’s relatively weak compared to the one used on the dagger. Can you handle seeing Darius in his half-jackal form, Brisa?

She nodded, not sure if Anubis could actually “see” her. “I can now. Right after he shifted, it scared the hell out of me. Now I’m more concerned about the demon coming back. I did manage to cut him with Darius’ gold dagger before he disappeared.”

Where is it?

“Somewhere in the kitchen where I dropped Darius’ sword as well.”

Anubis was silent for a few seconds before he spoke again. The demon’s blood was still on the blade. I used it to put a protection spell around the house. You don’t have to worry about him getting in while Darius is still too weak to fight him.

“The demon is going to come back, isn’t he?”

I’m afraid so. He won’t stop until either he or Darius is dead.

“I thought as much. Thanks for helping Darius. I should go to him.”

You love him, don’t you?

A little caught off-guard, Brisa stammered, “Y-yes.”

Then I suggest you keep an open mind when Darius tells you his story, and what it means to be one of my warriors. I’ve moved him to his bed for you. I look forward to talking to you again, Brisa.

She felt Anubis’ presence leave the room. Brisa walked out to the living room and headed for the staircase. She took the steps two at a time. At the top, she hurried down the hallway to Darius’ bedroom.

He lay under the covers, lying so still. Brisa switched on the light before she crossed the room and climbed onto the bed next to him. She lifted the sheets to see Anubis had cleaned and wrapped Darius’ wounds with what looked like unbleached homespun linen. She put her hand on his furred chest and felt it rising and falling with his even breaths.

With nothing to do but wait, Brisa climbed under the covers and carefully snuggled up against Darius’ side. She kept her hand on his chest. The fur that covered it was soft to the touch. She lifted her gaze to look at his face. The temptation to touch him there was too great to ignore. Brisa trailed her fingers along the top of his muzzle, then stroked his forehead to one of the pointed ears on his head.

Feeling no fear of him in this form, curiosity had taken its place. She now knew Darius was a warrior of Anubis, but she had no idea what all that entailed. Or how he’d become one. Anubis had said Darius was immortal. It made her wonder just how old Darius actually was. She had so many questions and none of the answers.

Knowing what Darius was, did that make the budding love she had for him any less? Not really. The only thing she had to wonder about was what his feelings were for her. Yes, he’d said he wanted her to keep him, but she wasn’t immortal. She’d grow old and die, while he stayed young forever. And given what he was, Brisa didn’t even know if he’d have room in his life for her.

It grew later, and Darius hadn’t awakened. Brisa finally got up and turned on the big LCD television that hung on the wall across from the bed, needing a distraction. Every once in a while she found herself putting her hand on Darius’ chest to make sure he was still breathing. She left his side only long enough to get something to drink, then use the bathroom.

Around three in the morning Darius stirred. He groaned before he blinked open his eyes. A sense of relief washed through Brisa, making her feel weak.

“Welcome back,” she said as she leaned over Darius. He tried to sit up, but she pushed him down. “Take it easy. We don’t want you to start bleeding again.”

He turned his head toward her. “You’re still here.”

“Of course I am.”

“I thought… I thought I frightened you too much in this form.”

“I’m not going to lie. You did, but I got over it.” To prove it, Brisa leaned farther down and kissed the top of his muzzle.

“I was going to tell you. I just hadn’t figured on doing it so soon.”

“Well, now I know.”

Darius reached across for her, then let out a groan as he dropped his hand back at his side. “That hurt. I don’t understand why I haven’t healed.”

Brisa stroked his brow. “Anubis said it’s the combination of the two spells used on you that is preventing it. He thinks once they wear off you’ll be fine.”

Darius gave her a surprised look. “You spoke to Anubis?”

She nodded. “Before you passed out, you said Anubis would help. I figured since you’re a warrior of Anubis, and that you had a room dedicated to him, that you used that spot to talk to him. Hearing you ‘praying’ early this morning helped me to put two and two together. I wasn’t sure Anubis would answer me, but he did. He managed to stop your bleeding and got you up here to your bedroom.”

He looked at her solemnly. “Thank you, Brisa. If not for you, I would have been left vulnerable to the demon. I’m surprised he hasn’t come back to finish me off as he said.”

“Thanks to Anubis, he put a protection spell over the house, using the demon’s blood from your gold dagger. I managed to slice him with it. As long as we stay inside he can’t get at us. Anubis also said he’d warn his other warriors. Maybe all of you should band together until the demons are taken care of instead of staying alone.”

“We can’t. Anubis keeps us apart from each other. He even makes sure there aren’t two of us in the same city. I’ve never met the others and have no idea who they are. And I’ve been a warrior for a very long time.”

“Just how long is that, Darius? Tell me your story.”

“I guess there’s no longer any point in not telling it to you. But first, help me sit up. I’m not doing it flat on my back.”

Brisa grabbed the pillow from her side of the bed and placed it against the headboard at Darius’ head along with his. She took hold of his arm when he tried to push himself up, but tugging at him seemed to cause him more pain. Switching positions so she straddled his waist, she helped lift him by hooking her arms under his. Once he sat up against the pillows, she shifted to move away, but Darius put his hands on her hips and stopped her.

“You can stay there,” he said.

“What about your thigh? You’re wounded there as well.”

“You’re low enough that you’re not sitting on it.”

Brisa settled back down, careful not to jar him. “Just tell me if it hurts.”

“I will.” Darius took a deep breath. “I’ve been a warrior of Anubis for seven hundred and ninety-four years.”

“That’s almost eight hundred years,” she said, finding it so hard to believe.

“I know. I told you I have been one of the god’s warriors for a very long time.”

“How did it happen? How did you become a warrior?”

“I was already a warrior, a knight, just not one of Anubis’. I’d joined the fifth crusade in 1217. I was originally from Germany.”

“You were on crusade?” Brisa asked, feeling a bit in awe.

“Yes. The fifth crusade was the last one sanctioned by the church. It was decided that we’d try to take Egypt. The first thing we did was attack an important Egyptian settlement called Damietta. The sultan there, by the name of Al-Adil, wasn’t expecting us, but somehow managed to put up a resistance. Though we finally did take the city, which took several months and thousands of lives to accomplish.”

“But you came out of that okay?”

Darius nodded. “After all the loot we found in the city, it was decided we’d attack Cairo next. Once that great city was taken it was thought it would make Egypt powerless and give us an open road to Jerusalem. We met up with a small resistance from the sultan from Damietta on the way, but we outnumbered his men. After that, we pushed on to Cairo. We marched alongside the Nile.” He paused and shook his head. “Our leaders forgot the river flooded. We ended up trapped behind a canal. Retreat was called, but not all of us made it out.”

Brisa picked up Darius’ claw-tipped hand and held it. “That’s where something happened.”

“Yes. I lay on the bank of the Nile, bleeding from the numerous wounds I’d received, on the verge of death, not wanting to go out like that. I called to the Christian god I’d pledged to crusade for to save me, but got no response. So I called to any god who was listening.”

“Anubis heard you.”

“He did. He offered to give me back my life. In exchange, I had to become one of his warriors. I didn’t think twice, gave Anubis my vow that I would serve him.”

Brisa squeezed Darius’ hand. She couldn’t imagine what it would have been like for him, lying on a battlefield, dying, not wanting to give up the fight to stay alive.

“What exactly does it mean to be a warrior of Anubis?” she asked.

“I’m charged with hunting evil in the mortal realm. When I encounter an evildoer, I feel pulled to him or her. I automatically shift into this form. While in it I can capture their gaze and see, and live through, every evil thing they have ever done in their lifetime. Then I send them to Anubis in the underworld to be judged. My gold dagger is spelled to do that. One cut and they leave the mortal realm.”

“So you don’t kill them.”

“No. I’m not their final judge. Anubis is.”

Darius groaned and pushed Brisa onto the bed. She watched as his body realigned itself, shifting back to his human form. The sound of his bones cracking got to her, as did the sounds of pain he made. Once complete, he was breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

He looked at her and gave her a small smile. “I’ve gone through a shift thousands of times, but it never gets any less painful.”

She pulled back the covers and saw Darius now wore the clothes he’d had on before. With gentle fingers she lifted his t-shirt. Anubis’ bandage was still there around his middle. “Are your wounds any worse?” Her gaze also landed on the black tattoo of Anubis that was inside a cartouche on his upper chest, over his heart. “Did you get this tattoo after becoming one Anubis’ warriors?”

“No, they feel about the same. I guess I have to wait for the second spell to wear off. And that’s not a tattoo. Anubis placed his mark on me once I’d taken my vow.”

She nodded. “Let me help you take your shirt off, so you’ll feel more comfortable.”

Brisa reached for it, but found herself tugged up against Darius’ chest, his lips moving over hers in a passionate kiss. He had her well on her way to being aroused when he pulled away, but she knew it would go no further than this, not with him so badly wounded.

“Thanks for staying with me, Brisa,” Darius said in a husky-sounding voice. “I didn’t know how alone I actually was until I met you.”

She reached up and stroked the side of his face. “Well, I’m not going anywhere.” She noticed his eyes were becoming heavy lidded. “I think we both should get some sleep. It’s late. Hopefully by the morning you’ll be healed.”

“I am tired.” He gave her back her pillow, then tugged his until it was on the mattress under his head. Darius held out his arm. “Come here.”

Brisa hesitated. “I could hurt you in my sleep.”

Darius pulled her against his uninjured side and held her close. “It’ll be worth the pain. I want to feel you next to me. I’ll sleep better.”

Settling her head on his chest, she relented. A minute later, Brisa felt Darius relax and his breathing even out. She closed her eyes. Before sleep took her, she thought of all that had happened that night. Being in love with an immortal warrior would take some getting used to, but she was glad Darius was hers.

Chapter Nine

Darius opened his eyes to find the room bright with the light of day. He looked over at the curtains to see they hadn’t been closed. He tried moving and found he could do so without experiencing pain. His wounds had healed while he’d slept.

He turned his head and saw Brisa lay next to him, still lost in slumber. Darius slipped out of bed without disturbing her. Standing next to it, he stripped out of his clothes and tore off the linen bandages. There weren’t any marks on his skin to show where he’d been hurt. Naked, he climbed back in next to Brisa.

Shifting so he lay on his side with his head supported on his hand, he stared down at her. Last night, after he’d first shifted, he’d thought for sure he was going to lose her. She’d been too fearful of him. Even though she’d agreed to let him explain, he’d still felt as if she wouldn’t be able to accept what he was.

Then the demon had showed up and gone on the attack. Darius had had only one thing on his mind—protect Brisa. But in the end, it’d been she who’d saved his life. If she hadn’t been there, Darius knew he wouldn’t have walked away from the fight only wounded, if he walked away at all. He would have lost his head.

He reached out and brushed a lock of hair away that had fallen over Brisa’s forehead. A surge of love and protectiveness washed through him as he looked at her beautiful face. The face of his mate.

Even though he’d told her his story of how he’d become a warrior to Anubis, and what his duty was to the god, he hadn’t told her about being his mate. She’d already had a lot to take in without him adding that to the mix. But now was the time to do so. He wanted to make love to her, and had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to hold back from biting her, making them mates. Anubis had told him that he had to let Brisa have the choice, not to take that away from her.

Darius leaned down and brushed his lips across Brisa’s. “Wake up.” She mumbled something incoherent and tried to push him away. He chuckled. “Come on. You can sleep later.” He nibbled on her lips and covered one of her breasts with his hand, giving it a squeeze.

Brisa kissed him back. “Mmm,” she said against his lips. “What a way to wake up. I’d like your kisses to do that every morning.”

He pulled back and smiled. “I think that can be arranged.”

She turned her head and looked at him. “How are you feeling? Did the other spell wear off?”

He nodded. “I’m all better. The wounds have healed. You want to see?” Darius flipped back the covers.

Brisa’s gaze ran down his body and stopped at his cock. He was already aroused, his shaft fully engorged.

She licked her lips. “I can see that you are.”

She rolled to her side and reached for his cock. Her fingers wrapped around it, stroking up and down. Darius gloried in the feel of Brisa touching him, but he knew he had to get her to stop until they’d had a chat.

“That feels good. Too good. I have to tell you something before we go any further,” he told Brisa as he tugged her hand off his erection.

“Tell me what?”

Darius sank fully onto his side so he was on Brisa’s level. “The day you heard me talking to Anubis in the room I set up as a temple to him, he and I spoke about something that concerns you.”

“Was it good or bad?”

He smiled. “I like to think it’s good, but that’s for you to decide.” Darius ran the pad of his thumb along Brisa’s kissable bottom lip. “I’ve never had feelings this strong for a woman as I do you. Even when I was mortal, I had no wife. Back then, I was only interested in finding the next battle to fight. That was part of the reason why I joined the crusade, not because I had a strong religious conviction.”

“So you were a knight who liked to play with his sword,” she said coyly.

Darius understood her double meaning and shook his head with a laugh. “There you go with your mind in the gutter again.”

“Hey, I can’t help it. I have a sexy, naked man in bed next to me. One who also happens to be horny.”

“I’m trying to be serious here.”

“Sorry. I promise to behave.”

“Anyway,” he said with a sigh. “What I’m getting at is that I’ve fallen in love with you, Brisa. I want you to be a part of my life. I’ll always be one of Anubis’ warriors, but if you think you can accept that, and what I have to do, I promise I’ll do everything in my power to keep you happy.”

She gave him a sad look. “I love you as well, Darius. There’s one thing, though. You’re immortal and I’m not. I know I’ll love you when I’m old and gray, but the big question is, will you? You’ll stay looking as you do now forever.”

He put his arm around her waist and tugged her close so their fronts pressed together. “This is where my talk with Anubis comes in. I thought something was wrong with me, because just about every time we’ve made love, right before I come, a change comes over me. My eyeteeth become longer and sharper, as they do when I shift. I also had the urge to bite you.”

Brisa swallowed. “Bite me? You must have hidden this well, because I didn’t have a clue about any of it.”

“I guess I did. Anubis told me there wasn’t anything wrong. That it was something that would happen when I found the woman to be my mate.” He paused. “You’re that woman, Brisa.”

“So you want to bite me since I’m your mate.”

“Yes. I’m giving you the choice, though. Once I bite you, you’ll become immortal like me. Your life force will be tied to mine.”

Brisa cupped the back of his head and brought his lips to hers. Her kiss was hot and demanding. She pushed her tongue inside his mouth before she sucked on his, driving him crazy. Darius rolled them so she was on her back with him on top of her.

As he made a trail of wet kisses along the side of her neck, she said, “Do it, Darius. Bite me. I want to have forever with you. I know you’ve waited a long time to find me, but I’ve waited for you as well, even though I didn’t know it. Make me your mate.”

He nipped her skin where her shoulder and neck met. “Not yet. But I will if this is truly what you want.”

Brisa pulled his head up and met his gaze. “It is. I know what I want, and I want you.”

Capturing her mouth again, Darius kissed her hard and long. He molded one of her breasts with his hand and plucked at the taut nipple under her shirt. Brisa squirmed beneath him, pulling at her clothes. He ended their kiss and quickly stripped her naked. He groaned at the feel of her curves pressing along his naked skin.

He suckled at her breast as he reached between her legs to see how ready she was for him. Darius moaned. Her pussy was wet, and his finger easily slipped inside it. He added a second, pumping in and out, loving the sounds of pleasure Brisa made as he worked her.

His cock aching, wanting to be buried deep inside her, he shifted up higher on her body and pushed the head of his shaft into her pussy. Brisa wrapped her legs around his waist. She rocked with him, matching his strokes, as he pushed deeper until she’d taken his full length. Her warm wetness bathed his cock while he slid in and out.

“Harder, faster,” Brisa moaned.

He set a quicker pace, giving her what she wanted. His cock grew harder. Already he felt an orgasm building, his balls drawing up close to his body. Brisa’s whimpers of passion drove him on. He strained against her, taking her in harder thrusts.

She called out his name when her pussy clamped down around his cock, clutching it, holding it in a tight fist. It had him racing to the point of no return. He felt that now-familiar burning in his gums as his eyeteeth dropped. There was no denying his urge to bite Brisa this time. He bit down where her shoulder and neck met, his teeth sinking beneath the skin. She stiffened under him, then let out another loud moan when she was thrown into another climax. Darius followed her, groaning against her skin, his cock pulsing deep inside her pussy, filling her with his cum. Just before the last wave of pleasure receded, he felt something snap into place between them, like an invisible bond.

He released her neck and looked down at her. “Did you feel that?”

She nodded and looked up at him with the love she had for him showing in her eyes. “I think it worked.”

“It did.” His gaze landed on the spot where he’d bitten her and watched the teeth marks he’d left behind heal and disappear.

Brisa pulled his head down and kissed him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I hope you weren’t planning on doing anything else but staying in bed today,” she said with a smile. “Since we’re now mates, and I guess technically married, this is our honeymoon. I’m not going to waste any of it.” She rolled him to his back with her ending up on top. “Starting right now.”

Darius surrendered himself to his mate, quite happy to give her all that she wanted.

* * *

“I really don’t like this,” Brisa said as she watched Darius pick up his sword off the kitchen table.

“I know, but it’s best if I do it this way.”

It was now night. Darius and she had indeed spent the day making love, only coming down to eat when hunger drove them out of the room. It had been during one of those breaks that Darius had told her his plan to draw the demon out, to fight him.

“What if he stabs you again with a spelled dagger? He got the drop on you the last time.”

“He won’t be able to do so again. I’ll be ready for it. Last night I was distracted by you, worried you wouldn’t accept me. I’m not anymore.”

“You’re still sure he’ll come?”

Darius gave a harsh chuckle. “He’ll come. He won’t resist having me out from under Anubis’ protection. He already thinks he’ll be able to defeat me.”

“Just promise me you won’t do anything that will get you killed. I just got my immortality, I don’t want to lose it on the same day.”

He gave her a hard kiss. “We being mated just gives me another incentive to get rid of the bastard.”

Brisa silently nodded. She had to trust that Darius knew what he was doing. She watched him walk out of the door in the kitchen that led to the backyard. When he headed past the pool and hot tub to a long stretch of lawn, she raced to the dining room where there were a set of french doors that gave her a better view.

Darius stood with sword in hand and waited for the demon to put in an appearance. Seeing him like that, Brisa could see the ancient knight he’d been. All he was missing was chain mail and armor.

Not like the other time, the demon didn’t give Darius any warning that he was nearby. The demon didn’t taunt him with a disembodied voice, nor did he force a shift on Darius. One second the demon wasn’t there and the next he was, his sword slashing toward the man she loved.

Brisa felt her heart jump into her throat, but breathed a sigh of relief when Darius easily blocked the hit with his sword. This fight, he did seem more focused. Unlike the last time, the demon didn’t gain any ground. Watching Darius, she decided his movements were beautiful and deadly at the same time.

The demon must have sensed that he wasn’t going to win. He disappeared. Brisa thought for sure he’d taken a coward’s way out and run. But he reappeared behind Darius. Not thinking of her own safety, she ran out of the house toward them, screaming a warning at Darius. He blocked the hit that would have skewered him in the back.

“Brisa,” he yelled, “get back in the house.”

Too late she realized her mistake. The demon disappeared again only to appear in front of her. She didn’t have time to turn and run before he had her held with her back to his chest, an arm around her middle and a knife held to her throat.

Darius gave a bellow of rage and advanced on them. The demon held the blade tighter against her skin, making Brisa hiss with pain when it cut her. “Stop right there, warrior. You want your precious mortal to live, you’ll put down your sword.”

Seeing Darius start to lower his weapon, Brisa said, “Don’t, Darius. He won’t let either one of us live, you know that.”

Darius took another step closer, and the knife cut a little deeper. Brisa felt they were at a standoff. She racked her brain to think of a way to get herself out of the spot she’d stupidly put herself in.

A low growl brought her out of her racing thoughts. While she’d looked away, Darius had shifted to his other form. This time she didn’t think the demon had used a spell on Darius. Her mate didn’t seem surprised by it. If anything, a look of determination came over his face.

Moving faster than she could keep track of, Darius ripped the demon’s knife from her throat and shoved her aside. Brisa spun around, feeling blood dripping down her chest, but didn’t pay it any heed. Her attention focused on the scene that played out before her.

Darius took hold of the demon and quickly seemed to catch his gaze with his own. The demon suddenly gave up the fight as he stared into Darius’ eyes.

“Evil,” Darius growled. “Time for you to face your judgment.”

A dagger appeared in his hand, but it wasn’t gold. This one looked to be some kind of black metal. Darius cut the demon across the chest with it, the sound of sizzling skin followed. Darius released the demon as he seemed to fade out of sight, screaming with rage.

Once they were alone, Darius growled as the change swept through him until he again stood as a man. He turned to her and opened his arms. Brisa ran into them, holding him tight.

“Is it over?” she asked.

“Yes. I sent him to Anubis to be judged.”

She pulled away only far enough to look at Darius. “I thought you couldn’t do that.”

“While he held you, threatening to end your life, it brought on the change.”

“And the dagger?”

“Something new, though I’ve always had the ability to will any weapon I need into my hand. I just thought of what I would need to send a demon back to the underworld to face Anubis.”

Brisa tucked her head under his chin. “That’s one demon down, but how many more are out there hunting the rest of the warriors like you?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure Anubis will warn them.”

Darius let her go, then scooped her up in his arms. “Right now, I’m just happy I sent the one after me to a place where he can’t ever hurt us again.” He carried her toward the house. “That taken care of, I’m going to make love to you for the rest of the night.”

Brisa wrapped her arms around her mate’s neck and whispered all the dirty things she wanted to do to him in his ear. She soon found herself laughing as Darius put on a burst of speed no mortal could manage and had them up in the bedroom where he showed her how much he loved her over and over again.

The End

About the Author

Marisa Chenery was always a lover of books, but after reading her first historical romance novel she found herself hooked. Having inherited a love for the written word, she soon started writing her own novels.

After trying her hand at writing historicals, she now writes paranormals.

Marisa lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and four children. She would love to hear from you, so drop her an email.

Marisa welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

Content

Embraced by a Warrior
Warrior Hunger - 1
by
Marisa Chenery

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

About the Author