Darkest Temptation (The Dark Ones Saga 4)

Fear trickled down my spine as he took a step closer, his eyes menacing. “We are stronger together. Cassius knows this. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.”

“For what?” I knelt next to Mason, and he shuddered and gave a little howl before I pressed a hand to his fur. “What are you going to do?”

“Whatever it takes…” His teeth clenched. “…to go home.”

He disappeared just like he’d come, leaving a chill so icy cold that I almost crawled into Mason’s lap and shivered.

He moved to a sitting position, his eyes blazing blue before he gave his head a shake and nuzzled my neck. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “You?”

He didn’t answer.

Maybe he didn’t have to.

Nobody would be okay after that.

When I turned around to start walking, the Jeep was idling as if it hadn’t just been rammed into a tree, as if we hadn’t just had a visit from some creepy fallen angel with a revenge plan.

Mason eyed me then the car, and with a sigh said, “Get in.”

We were five minutes away from the house when it set in. The burning, the need to bite him was so intense that my mouth started to water. The ache so great I was ready to lose my mind.

I focused on the trees we passed. Counted to a hundred.

And breathed a sigh of relief when we pulled up to the driveway.

“Don’t tell them,” Mason whispered.

I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Mason, you have to tell them. Something’s going on, something big. You’re — you’re a hybrid. You have—” I left out the DNA part. “—you have vampire molecules in your bloodstream. That’s not normal. What if it makes you more powerful?”

“What if…” He hit the brakes. “…it takes over completely?”

“It won’t.” I didn’t know that for sure. I suddenly realized I didn’t know anything. “Tell Cassius. He can help.”

Mason shook his head and then pressed his lips together in a grimace. “Maybe. I don’t…” He gave me a quick glance. “I felt him in me.”

“Who?”

“The fallen, as if I knew him. He was probing me, speaking to me in a language I understood, and now I can’t remember what he said.”

“Maybe he was just trying to provoke you?”

“No.” Mason’s teeth clenched. “Trust me, that’s not it.”

He suddenly jerked the wheel to the side as we pulled up to the massive gate and into the driveway. A few vampires stood watch outside, looking more like bored GQ models than anything.

I got out of the car and flinched when one’s gaze lingered on my face and then breasts too long for my liking. I was about to say something when Mason had him by the throat and pressed against the wall at least two feet off the ground.

“You as much as exhale six feet away from her, and I’ll put your head on a spike and give you just enough blood to survive while I set wild dogs to your flesh!” Claws protruded out of Mason’s hands, piercing the skin of the vampire’s flesh, causing silver blood to drip down his skin. “Do we have an understanding?” Mason’s voice deepened as huge fangs elongated from his mouth past his lower lip like he was getting ready for a midnight snack, and then his eyes glowed blue, only to go completely red as he leaned in.

“Mason!” Cassius barked. “That’s enough.”

Alex appeared in the doorway next, his smile smug. “Finally. Hungry, Wolf?”

Hope peeked around Alex and moved toward Mason, but Alex put his arm out and gave his head a shake.

As if Mason was dangerous