The Darkness Within (3 page)

“I’m not sure I can handle that. Hell, I can barely handle Quinton,” Vukasin, confessed with remorse. “Alas, we are almost powerless in this battle.”

“Where did he come from?” Althea asked.

 
Vukasin smiled. “The same place in which we were created. Within you.” He gently tapped her temple. “But, you must realize he is evil.”

“Is this what you truly want?” Quinton crossed his arms. “Look at how far you’ve come in life. “We will do whatever it is you ask,” he continued, as he placed a comforting arm on her shoulder.

“You’ve also created a darker, sinister force,” Quinton said” He bowed his head and looked at her.

“The witch.” Althea sighed. “She and I had a scuffle in the corridor.” She said with a smile. “I overpowered her. Is that all you’re talking about?”

“Don’t become so smug,” Quinton warned. If you do, she wins and will take over your life in the human realm.”

“Oh, hell. That’s not good!” Althea sighed. “Wait a minute. I’m the one who has control over her. I created her, right? There’s nothing she can do to me.”

Quinton’s brows furrowed and he hissed. “Don’t let your guard down, Althea! Just because you’re powers have heightened does not mean you can dismiss a strong entity such as the witch!”

“No, darling.” Althea purred as Vukasin began massaging her feet. “I’d never dismiss her. Oh, baby, that feels so good,” she murmured as the wolf man looked up at her and smiled. Candlelight glinted off his incisors, invoking carnal desires deep inside her.

“Althea!” Quinton growled. “You aren’t paying attention!”

“Quinton, please. I’ll be all right, I promise. You know, fellas,” she said. “There is something else I’d rather be doing, right about now. I’ll be damned if I’ll let anything screw up my time here.”

Quinton’s hard glare turned soft. “Mmm, are you propositioning us?” he murmured, pressing his body weight against her. “This shall be a truly, unforgettable experience, no?” he murmured before parting her lips with his tongue. “Are you sure?” The vampire knew Althea was a strong woman, capable of fending for herself.

“Yesss. I don’t want to speak of Viktor anymore,” she said.

Vukasin crawled beside Althea, allowing his cock to brush against her leg. Eagerly she grabbed it, making him shiver with desire. With a smile, she began stroking the wolf’s massive cock.

“Mmm, Althea,” he growled as she palmed the wolf man’s heavy balls. “Yes, beautiful, you know how I love to be stroked.” He sighed his appreciation.

Quinton stopped kissing Althea and looked up at Vuk in an agitated manner. “Go away,” the vampire roared. “Give us some time alone!”

Vukasin curled his lips back, showing his fangs. “You go away, vampire!”

“Whoa, fellas, time out! What is the matter with you both?” She paused, and awaited an answer. “You don’t fight like this when I’m fantasizing.

“Well,” Quinton said crossing his arms. “You’re in control; the scenes are played out in your mind. This is more realistic,” he added. “Remember, you’re physically here now.

“Oh.” She blinked several times. “This is giving me a headache.”

“Sweetheart,” Vukasin said, “we are alphas, after all. Sharing you with one another on a higher level is much more different.

“I would ask that you two put aside your differences. For me,” Althea said, crossing her arms. “I want you both.” She pouted. “Is that too much to ask?”

“And—you shall have us—both,” Quinton said, with a bow of his head. “No matter how difficult, we promise to carry out your every wish.”

She turned to face Vukasin, and arched a brow.

“Yes, of course—” the wolf said, regretfully. “I may not like it, but yes, I’ll try, beautiful.” He smiled as she continued stroking his cock.

“Can you promise me, Vukasin?”

“Alas, I cannot,” the wolf said boldly. “Forgive me, but I am an alpha male and not used to sharing.”

Althea smiled. “What if I decided to include Viktor in our bed?” Silence fell upon the room as the men apparently struggled with her question. “Gentlemen, I’d like an answer.”

Quinton’s eyes glowed and he cleared his throat. “Must I answer that now?”

“An answer would be appreciated,” Althea said with a laugh while twirling the vampire’s hair around her fingers. She looked at them both.

“Totally not happy with that idea,” Vukasin chimed in. “I am sorry, but I don’t like it.”

“For once the wolf and I agree on something.” Quinton ran his fingers through Althea’s hair. “My darling. Please know you are an important part of our existence. However, you ask too much of us. I will do anything in the worlds for you, but this—it is going too far.”

Althea winced at the sadness in both men’s eyes. Perhaps she was being too selfish. She had no ties to them. They were merely creatures she’d created with the strong power of her mind. Why should they care whom she invited into her bed?

“Because we do,” Quinton said stubbornly. “Why would you think inviting another in our bed wouldn’t hurt us? You may have created us, but we do have feelings.”

“You aren’t supposed to read my mind.” Althea rose from the bed before the vampire pulled her back She folded her arms in anger.

“Please, look at your actions,” Vukasin asked. “Everything you’ve been through has made you a stronger person. Unfortunately, there is a change that isn’t so nice.” Regret shone deep in the wolf’s eyes.

“Vukasin, what the hell are you talking about?” Althea frowned. “My life has never been better, you both know that.” She looked at her lovers, who seemed to disagree with her. Now she knew something was up when the vampire and wolf banded together.

Quinton shook his head in sadness. “This is why we have not visited with you in your realm.” He glanced over at the wolf. “I’m afraid we cannot continue on with our relationship if this is what you desire.”

A sick feeling twisted her gut. “You’re pushing me away? How can you—you can’t do that!” Her chest heaved uncontrollably as she felt her blood pressure soar. “Who the hell are you to reject me?”

“This is what we’re talking about. Althea, something is wrong within you. Please take the time to acknowledge this in your realm. If you pay close enough attention, you will see the things you’ve failed to observe,” Vukasin pleaded with her. “Please open your eyes, or I fear it will be too late.”

In a fit of anger, Althea returned to her world. The sting of the men’s rejection cut her deeply. Why were they dismissing her? Had they had their fill of her sexually?

Maybe it is for the best
, she thought as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Living between realms was emotionally and physically draining sometimes.

Too wired to sleep, Althea recalled Quinton and Vukasin’s words, which baffled her to no end. As far as she was concerned, there were no apparent changes in her life. Since her divorce, her catering business had doubled, and she was looking into purchasing a larger single-family home not too far away from her parents.

She was finally happy and free of a destructive relationship. What more could she want? She now had control over her life, over the way she felt. Rufus had taken that away from her the entire time they’d been married. Now it was her turn to shine.

Rage took over at the thought of her ex. After summoning every ounce of her strength, she mentally hurled a vase into the double closet doors. Her breathing became erratic, and she fought hard to control the temper. In her head, she heard Viktor’s voice, and it made her shudder.

“We need to talk, Althea, my love.” Viktor’s voice filled her bedroom.

“Show yourself, Viktor,” she demanded.

Suddenly, Viktor appeared next to her bed, damn near startling her. Her senses dulled, and a strong sexual urge ignited in her loins. He smiled as she gasped.

Her gaze graced over slabs and ridges of muscles that flexed with every move he made. His face was smooth, with the exception of a small, neatly trimmed beard. Dark eyes twinkled with promises of sexual gratification. Tribal tattoos adorned his bald head, spiraling down each side of his neck, down his arms, and ending just below his large shoulders.

“Don’t fight me, beautiful.” His voice seemed to hypnotize her as he strode in her direction. She struggled to free herself from the force emanating from hi, but couldn’t. Viktor glided behind her, pressing himself against her derriere. “Make this easy on us both, and open yourself to me,” he insisted. “You invoke such fire in me.” Gently he nipped the sensitive area along her neck.

“No,” she stammered breathlessly as his hands roamed along her body.

“You cannot resist me, Althea. It is futile to continue this charade. Give in unto me,” he demanded as his hand dropped between her thighs. He smiled when she shivered and gasped. “Relinquish your body to me,” he whispered.

“No.” The word lacked strength, even to her own ears. Something deep within screamed she should rebuke this man with every ounce of strength she possessed. But something else told her it was okay to submit to him. Okay to allow him in her bed.

With a mere thought, Viktor was thrown clear into her dresser, smashing it in half. Rage boiled inside her body as she sent a bluish white spark at the demon.

Viktor rose. “Your powers may have grown, but you will never have the opportunity of banishing me from this plane.”

Althea frowned. “Banishing you from this plane?” She crossed her arms. “Now, why would I do that?” There was something Viktor was hiding. “Why is it so important that I let you sleep with me?”

“You’ve been around the wolf and the vampire far too long. Perhaps you should not see them again.” The incubus smiled. “It is their loss. You don’t need them anyway.”

“How did you know—“

Viktor smiled devilishly. “I know everything about you. Anything that happens in your life, it comes to me, you see.” Suddenly the smile on his face disappeared. “Don’t keep me waiting too long,” he said before disappearing into thin air. His voice still lingered. “I intend to collect a debt, incurred long ago.”

“I don’t owe you anything!” Althea’s legs quivered as she remembered to breath and her strength returned. She’d almost given into the strong force that sought domination over her body and—her soul.

Chapter Three

Glancing at the clock, Althea knew it was only a few more hours before daylight. She’d only met to lie down for an hour or so, but sleep claimed her as soon as her head hit the pillow.

* * * *

Althea felt her spirit rise, and soon she was looking down at her bed. Her body floated to a not so familiar place. Fog formed in the realm she’d drifted off into. From a distance, she saw a tall figure clad in black.

“Althea, my dear.” The man approached her, his right hand clutching his cane. Granddaddy
Taylor
looked the same as the last time she’d laid eyes on him, when she was only twenty years old. As always, he wore his signature hat.

Happiness and comfort she had not known since she was a child filled her. Althea smiled as she watched the man walking, almost gliding. He stood tall and proud.

“Do you know why you’re here?”
Taylor
gazed into her eyes, searching, almost knowing what she’d been dealing with. It was then she knew it was Taylor who’d summoned her to this place.

Althea looked around. “Where’s here?”

“You’re in a world in between heaven, earth, and hell,” the
Taylor
confessed as he appeared to glide toward her.
Taylor
’s eyes were compassionate and understanding. Gently he rested a large hand on her shoulder. “Do you know what your purpose is?”