1. OUR SHARED DARKNESS

Chapter one

OUR SHARED DARKNESS

Two Years Later

I owed Death my life.

That sentiment haunted me for years, lingering over my shoulder like a hooded figure determined to swallow me whole. Each step, each move from that moment on had been shaped by the fact. Questions surrounding my fate plagued me, awake and asleep. When would he return? What would he demand of me? What was a soul truly worth to Death himself? And would that cost be worth it? The only answer I'd found in my relentless studies surrounding the realm of eternal night and its inner workings was simple: he would return. And I would pay.

Yet, I wouldn't change a thing. The night I'd bartered my life held more than dark fears. It had allotted me my most treasured memories too. Kim's soft skin against mine. Her laughter. The way she leaned her head on my chest as she promised I'd never be alone again, because she would be my home. And the way our bodies fit together like perfect puzzle pieces. I'd bound myself to her then. Sworn to protect her happiness, no matter how I fit into the picture. In the end, Death's mention of our entwined fates had been meaningless, because the second those big, round eyes rimmed in starry light met mine, I'd made my choice.

I'd serve her until my last breath.

With the blood moon looming above and the perfume of the departed afternoon rain lingering in the breeze, I reminded myself of that commitment as Kim and I set out to summon the very being I'd fought so hard to evade. Her father. I jutted my hand out the truck window—the cool night air kissing my skin—and steadied my breath. Kim lay unconscious beside me, spirited away to the astral. Her whimpers tickled my ear. She'd needed to tell Juniper about our plan and communicate the risk involved, which I supported entirely. While I envied her lover, I'd never wish her distress. From all I'd heard, the woman was walking perfection. I mean, Kimber practically glowed when she told me about their first meeting. Love at first sight. They made each other happy; I knew it beyond a shadow of a doubt. But still my blood boiled, because the pleasured moan that slipped past her lips as I veered onto the highway wasn't for me. And damn, how I wanted it to be. My body responded despite my objection: throbbing, all-consuming need to bury myself inside her— no. Fuck, no.

I rerouted my focus and let my sights slip to the trees, righting myself just in time for Kimber to return to our plane of existence. My white-knuckle hold on the steering wheel threatened to undo me, rat me out.

"What?" she asked, honing in on my tight grip.

"Sounds like somebody was having a good time."

She slapped my arm. "Oh, whatever. You're just jealous."

"And if I was?"

Before I could convince myself what a monumental mistake it would be, my hand ran up her inner thigh. Soft as velvet. She shuddered under my touch; and shit, if everything in me didn't beg to pull that truck off the road and slide her onto my lap. To press against her most sensitive space. To claim her.

Mine.

But she wasn't and might never be. If there's one thing to be said about my best friend: the woman doesn't do a damn thing she doesn't want to do. And though it broke me, it seemed I was one of those things. She removed my hand from her thigh, lacing her fingers through mine.

"Have I told you lately how much I fucking love you?" She smiled up at me.

"Not nearly enough, tease," I joked, despite the ache in my chest.

In her renewed silence, her true feelings rang through at deafening volume: she didn't want me the way I wanted her, and the rejection stabbed me the same way it had years before.

After the night we'd shared, I'd waited for her to bring up what had bloomed between us so we could sort through it; but as time dwindled away, so did my courage. The call for a new start hung heavy that next morning—Kim's sleeping frame an inch from mine, so close and yet so far away. I'd stared up at her bedroom ceiling, envisioning what it might be like to leave it all behind and find solace in a simple, mundane existence: to become a faceless stranger in a random town where nobody knew or cared to know me. A do-over to give my shattered heart a chance to heal. In time, maybe I'd even meet someone to live out that new life with; and though I might not burn for their touch the way I did for Kim's, I might be able to forge a future I enjoyed well enough. Nothing shiny or grand, but a means of escape nonetheless.

Then the early morning light seeped in through the window to kiss Kim's eyelids. Her lashes fluttered—immersed in a seemingly perfect dream. With one hand on the door, I'd paused, unable to tear my gaze away from the rise and fall of her steady breath. The way the sheets draped over her hip, revealing the gentle slope of her curves. How could I leave her behind? And would I be able to live with myself if I did?

In that moment, I'd visualized such a future and the things I'd miss most. Her sarcastic wit and the way she made me feel irreplaceable, or how she refused to shy away from the darkness I'd always had lurking beneath the surface. Hell, how she encouraged such darkness. Found it beautiful. In truth, the mortal world's cruelty hadn't vexed me alone. It'd broken her too, leaving her stranded on the sidelines of society. How could I abandon her? I'd stood in that doorway, teetering on redefining my fate, only to end up in the exact place I'd started.

Lost in her.

I'd been an idiot for even considering it. A life without Kim would be no life at all. And so, I'd signed on to help her reclaim what was rightfully hers. To lead her back to the place I'd ran from long ago: Anathema, the realm of eternal night. The place where my people were slaughtered and chased from their homes. Because in truth, she was the realm's only hope for change. I knew it in every fiber of my being. I'd die to see a crown upon her head: regal and respected by all. She deserved nothing less.

I snapped back to reality as her hand squeezed mine.

"So," I said, shuffling in my seat, "think this will work?"

"It has to. I'm ending that piece of shit, no matter what it takes," she ground out.

"That's my girl. Give ‘em hell."

After pulling the truck into a shadowed alcove at the forest's edge, we hopped out—backpack full of monstrous goodies in tow. Trapping a demon was sure to be one hell of a good time, but as always, I'd have to play it down. She couldn't know what I truly was. Who I was. To Kim, I had to be nothing more than a human; because if she found out I was the last remaining pureblood shapeshifter when someone had fought so hard to wipe us all off the map, well…that's the sort of thing that gets you tortured. Killed. I couldn't risk it.

I cracked my knuckles in the moon's dense red glow as my nerves knotted up tight.

"Care for some liquid courage?" she asked, a wicked smile on her face.

Damn right, I did. But it wasn't the fear of the impending fight that had me on edge; it was the simple fact that everything we'd worked towards could very well mean I'd never see her again. After all, Death held the power to seal me out and lock my best friend away for all time. Not to mention the payment due for our little bargain. I took a swig from the bottle, and fiery, warm liquor ignited my taste buds. Let him come. I'd slit his throat before I let him tear us apart.

Time ticked by without any signs that a demon lay hiding in the darkened woods. We listened intently for the usual signs: sporadic footsteps from behind—always behind, no matter how many times you turned around—or a lingering silhouette in our peripheral. Demons got off on that shit: terrifying their target before a kill. Power-hungry assholes. I rubbed my eyes impatiently. We had one chance to nail this sucker. If he didn't show, years of meticulous research and planning went right down the drain, just like that.

Kim's knee bobbed as she scanned the scene. A minute later, I broke the silence.

"This isn't working," I said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "If he doesn't know we're here, he won't reveal himself. He's probably waiting for some lonely hiker to wander past. It's about the thrill of the hunt for monsters like this."

She tapped her chin. "Yeah…maybe you're right."

"Aren't I always?"

"Well, I certainly wouldn't call you humble, that's for sure," she teased.

I gasped, placing a hand over my heart. "You wound me so."

"Something tells me you'll survive."

We chuckled and slipped farther into the night, slow and steady, careful to keep our conversations to a minimum. A nearby owl screeched, followed by a potential mate's call in the distance, but no signs of demonic activity. Farther in it was. Winding through the trees, we came to a ravine, and I internally cursed. Months of dried leaves had accumulated alongside its entrance, making the incline slippery after the recent rainfall. I positioned myself in front of Kim and motioned for her to steady herself against the large oak's coarse bark in passing. Of course she mouthed for me to "fuck off" because the woman could handle herself, but I digress. Finally, we approached an outcropping of rocks and set up shop. But still, nothing. We couldn't afford to wait any longer or leave it up to chance as the morning loomed closer. If the blood moon passed, Kim would lose her opportunity to summon Death, which simply wasn't an option.

I sat up straight and turned to find her picking at a plant in the rock face. "I have an idea. I'll bait him."

"Hell no!" she burst, scrunching her nose. "Way too risky!"

"If we don't nail this guy, you'll never get your chance, Kim. Please let me do this." But I wasn't asking, not really. I would do this for her whether she liked it or not.

"Fine," she sighed. "But the second that asshole comes into view, you run, you hear me?"

"You'll need me to hold him down."

"You forget, he isn't the only one more powerful on a blood moon."

Her shadows writhed, making my stomach jump. After a few more swigs of liquid courage, I headed into the open field and clasped my hands around my mouth. Time to put this feral bastard down.

"Help!" I screamed. "Anybody out there? I lost the path."

To the target hunting me, I needed to embody the frightened, weak, perfect victim. Which couldn't have been further from the truth, because in reality, I was bloodthirsty and raring to go. How many innocent mortal lives had been forfeited strictly for this prick's sick enjoyment? We'd confirmed at least a handful marked by his calling card: a coin; but there had been more. There always were when it came to those who had acquired a taste for human flesh. It drove them mad; and while most demons no longer ate liver, it seemed this specific one had an insatiable lust for it.

Chills crawled up my neck, but it wasn't from the wind. I felt him. There, just outside my line of vision, ready and waiting. I fought a grin, trading it instead for the show I knew the monster craved. Come and get me, asshole.

"Help, please!" I yelled.

A screech, shrill and scratchy, tore through the open field. Got him. The demon emerged, his face concealed by an ornate mask.

"Lost, are we?" he taunted.

"I…yes," I lied, feigning fear. "Please, can you help me find my way back?"

"I'm afraid you've come to the wrong person if you wish for help. You see, I'm not here to decide if you should live or die, let alone be worthy of my help. No. That I'll leave up to Fate."

He began to circle me: predator and prey…or so he thought. Fool. All the while Kim hunted him from the shadows, and I fought to keep his attention on me. He really believed he was in control. Joke was on him, because I'd taken far crueler beasts down before, laying them at my feet as they pleaded for the same mercy they'd callously denied their own victims.

The demon flipped a coin, catching it between his palms. "Call it."

"Call what?" I asked.

"Call it: heads or tails. Heads, you live, and I'll decide if that includes my help. Tails, well…"

He sauntered close, calm and confident, and the urge to break him made my pulse pound. My bones shifted, my instincts threatening to take over. He stepped within arm's reach, close enough that I could easily lock my fingers around his neck, squeeze until the light drained from his eyes and—

Kim's blade gleamed in the moonlight as she lowered herself into position, and my breath hitched. Gods, how was it possible for murderous rage to look so damn sexy? Such a vicious thing. This fight belonged to her; all I had to do was lure him into position.

I slipped off to the left, drawing his gaze. "Tails, and you kill me, right?"

"Oh, no, no." He chuckled. "Tails, and I hunt you. I know, I'm far too gracious, giving you two chances at potential salvation. So, mortal. Call it. Heads or—"

In the blink of an eye, she was there—blade thirsty—but quick as she was, the demon was faster. Older. No… I watched his foot movement, noting the regality in his posture. He dodged with minimal effort, even feigning a yawn as if Kim's ruthless strikes were mere child's play. Who was this guy? Stepping to the sidelines, I studied the hilt of his dagger and found a ruby-encrusted moon inlay. I swallowed hard. Only the elite carried weapons engraved with Anathema's sigil. This was no rogue demon; he was royalty, and well-trained royalty at that.

I started towards him, ready to step into my power and blow my most closely held secret if it meant protecting Kimber. She wouldn't fight this battle alone; I would be her blade. Her weapon to wield. Her shield. A low growl rattled the earth beneath my feet and stopped me in my tracks. What the hell? Following the guttural sound, I locked onto a set of golden eyes in the tree line, and my heart sank. No. Oh, no, no, no. Not good! As if we weren't screwed enough already, a brutish nightmare emerged. A hellhound: huge and hungry and one thousand percent set on eating me alive. Awesome.

"Kim!" I called, holding my hand out to her.

"You were supposed to run! Why are you still here—"

The beast bared its fangs, stalking towards us.

I fought to stay by her side. "I can't leave you."

"You can, and you will." She stepped in front of me. "I'm not asking."

Spoken like a true queen. On her command, I took off like a shot, but not for my own safety: for hers. Predators enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, and I was ready to give it to him. I caught a glimpse of Kimber's brutality—the wind twisting tendrils of ashen hair about her—and couldn't help but grin. Here I thought she needed me. Ridiculous. The woman was born to be Death. Though I'd always watch for her enemies, hell if I'd steal her thunder. She lived for this: the kill.

Cutting through the trees, I thrashed through the leaves with intention, making my moves trackable. Each footfall echoed, and my heavy breaths carried. I needed the hound to give chase to ensure Kim had the chance to circle back and take it down. Her sudden scream made my blood run cold, and I skidded to a stop. I looped straight back the way I'd come, screaming and waving. "Over here, you mangy shit!"

Now that got its attention. I ignored Kim's curse—something about me being a dumbass for coming back—and waited a second longer than was comfortable to make sure the hound was, in fact, following me this time. Good puppy. I narrowly avoided its jaws as it took a bite at me. Like a wraith in the night, Kimber slid between us, determination radiating from her. But me? Unabashed fear crashed over me as the hound took her to the ground. "No!"

This was not her time. Fate could take me instead, the selfish bitch. In one swift move, I rolled Kim to the side away from the beast's reach, but I knew I wasn't fast enough to save us both. The hound had already locked onto me, ready to fill its unholy belly with my still warm flesh. Its teeth pierced my shoulder. Muscle tore and bone cracked, the heinous sound rattling through me as cold penetrated my soul and spread out across my chest. The hound readjusted its bite, sinking its fangs deeper, and I couldn't hold back my scream. Venom seeped into my veins—the un-fucking-believable sear ripping through me like acid—and I knew. I knew my fate right then and there, because nobody—supernatural or otherwise—could survive hellhound toxins once in the bloodstream. The shit was more lethal than cyanide.

I'm a dead man.

My heartbeat boomed in my skull so loud that I feared my eardrums might burst. A pleasured snarl slipped past the monster's lips, and the world began to spin as warmth rolled down my arm. Blood…an ungodly amount of it. My time was running out. Quickly.

But I couldn't go yet. Not without knowing she was safe. Letting adrenaline take over, I fixed my stance, summoned every last bit of strength I had left, and cocked my fist back, landing a hard blow to the beast's snout. With a whimper, it released me. I pivoted, placing myself between Kimber's seemingly unconscious body and the hound.

"You can pick my bones clean," I growled, "but if you touch her, I'll crawl out of my damn grave to filet you alive."

The look reflected in the creature's stare confirmed my suspicions: this was no feral animal. Consciousness and calculation danced behind those eyes. This was the hound of legend: bound to one demon and ready to defend to the death; but so too was I bound. Claimed by one I would kill for. Or die trying. My inevitable end called to me as I looked down at Kim's still motionless body and noticed her chest rise and fall steadily. Relief rushed over me. She was alive, but I needed to buy her time to wake up. To fight. To run.

Ready to strangle the hound with my bare hands if necessary, I started back towards it; and my knees buckled, taking me to the ground. My vision grew hazy. Fuck. Not yet.

"Take me." I dragged myself through the dirt. "Let my bones serve as penance, but…spare her, please ."

The beast cocked its head, and in a breathy whisper I swear I heard it say, "No."

My stomach dropped as I frantically searched the woods for something, anything that might beat the beast back a step. Buy a little more time for Kim to stir. I snatched a thick branch off the ground and jabbed it towards the hound, but it bit the brittle wood in two with a snarl as if it were a mere twig. Think, Coop. Think!

In an unexpected burst of fury, Kim hopped to her feet and buried her blade to the hilt between the monster's shoulders, its cry of agony reverberating through the trees. A death blow. That's my girl. My laughter rose as darkness crept in, though I fought it. My back against the hard earth, I cast my sights to the stars, pleading with the heavens for just a little longer. I hadn't fulfilled my duty yet. Hadn't protected her as I'd sworn to; and while I still had breath, it belonged to her.

The demon was still out there, hunting her, and yet my cursed body wouldn't move. Get up, get up, get up! Harsh reality crashed over me like an avalanche ready to bury me alive, my spirit leaching from its mortal coil with every passing second. Despite my desires, my promises, my hopes…Death was coming.

For me.