Black Sunshine: A Dark Vampire Romance

But the difference is, the fire is killing him.

It’s not killing me.

It’s giving me more power than I could have ever imagined. The dark well inside me is burning up, obscuring the waning moon with smoke.

I get to my feet, kicking Yanik’s burning, screaming body over to the side and swivel my head towards Solon, Wolf, and Ezra, held in place by the dark order.

All three vampires are staring at me with utter fear in their eyes, even Solon, though he manages to combine it with awe, his jaw slack. I must look quite the sight, a walking fireball.

There’s a screeching cry from the creatures as they hiss and roar, sounding like a zoo gone wild, and I know it’s just a hint of the true madness underneath those hoods. Without their master, who knows what they will do.

But I know what I will do.

A few of them start running for me on all fours, their red veils moving as they go, showing flashes of teeth, claws out, leaving gauges in the old wood floorboards.

I know what I’m capable of now, the confidence seeping through me.

I don’t even have to snap my fingers.

I just point at them as they run for me.

One, I think.

And a creature goes up in flames with a tortured cry.

Two.

I point at another one, just steps away, and it too bursts into flames, falling to the floor, thrashing helplessly.

Three.

I flick my finger at the third one on the loose, watching as its cloak explodes in fire, the screams filling the barn.

I grin to myself.

My god. This is almost fun.

I keep that smile on my face as I look at the rest of them, and now the vampires are really scared, even Solon doesn’t seem to know what I’m going to do.

Silly vampire, I say to him. Don’t you trust me?

He blinks at me, swallowing hard.

Then I look at Ezra and Wolf, giving them a warning look, before I throw my arms out into the air, displaying three fingers on each hand.

Six of Skarde’s creatures go up in flames at the same time, with Solon, Ezra and Wolf quickly pivoting away and out of their grasp.

I watch as the rest of the Dark Order falls to the ground, screaming.

Then the flames suddenly leave my body as quickly as they came on, draining the well inside me until it’s empty, snuffing out every living cell in my body, my blood shrinking in my veins.

I collapse to the floor among the creatures on fire.

And everything goes cold.

The flame inside me blown out.

For good.

Chapter Twenty-Six

I’m staring at a dog.

A black pit bull with big warm eyes and a wet nose.

The dog whimpers and then licks my face and I’m overwhelmed with the scent of raw meat and dog breath.

What on earth?

“Odin,” Solon’s commanding voice rings out. “Get over here.”

I blink and then Solon walks into my frame, crouching down to be at my level. I stare at his face as it comes into focus, and my god, sometimes I don’t know if he’s an angel or a devil, but right now, I’m afraid I might be in heaven. He’s so beautiful that it’s something close to dying, his black arched brows furrowed in concern, a soft smile on his lips, those glacial blue eyes flickering with affection, pupils large and dark.

“Solon,” I say softly, trying to move, but my limbs feel like they’ve been filled with lead.

“Shhh,” he says to me, placing his hand on my cheek, his large palm soothing against my skin. “Take it easy. You’re alright. You’re safe.”

I try to swallow, my throat and mouth painfully dry. “Where am I?”

I can’t move my head much, but the room is completely unfamiliar. Sunlight streams through in the background and the walls look like they’re made of shiplap.

“Shelter Cove,” he says. “Northern California.”

The name sounds familiar. “Is this…your house?”

He nods, stroking my cheek gently. “Yes. One of them.”

“And the dog?”

“That’s Odin. He’s also mine. I brought him up here a while ago, knowing you’d be with us in San Francisco. He can be territorial, but I had nothing to worry about. He likes you. Barely listens to me though.” He sighs in amusement. “So much for being the alpha.”

I frown at him, learning new things. “You had a dog all this time?”

“Most vampires do. We are predators after all. Who better to understand us?” He brushes the hair back from my face. “Don’t you witches have cats?”

I manage a smile. “I’m allergic.” I pause. “And I’m only a half-witch.”

He studies me admiringly. “Don’t sell yourself short. What you did back there…”

It all comes rushing back.

“What happened?” I whisper.

“What happened was you shook me to my very foundation, Lenore. You were…” he licks his lips in thought and then smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling, “you were remarkable. And if you don’t remember, I’ll tell you all over again, because you need to know what you’re capable of.”