Dark Within: Mythical Knights, #2

By Candice Gilmer

There are monsters, then there are monsters. Which kind wants her dead?

Mythical Knights Book 2

There was a time Marissa van Dyke loved Halloween. Then tragedy struck. Now the sight of a jack-o-lantern only reminds her of what she's lost. In fact, she'd prefer to just hibernate.

But recently her nightmares are becoming too intense to ignore. Dreams filled with horror-movie creatures that come closer to killing her every time. Where these vampires and werewolves are coming from, she doesn't know. She only knows they're relentless.

Neil Drigan has no interest in finding a mate. Bind himself to one woman? No thank you. Permanent is for the wolf pack Alpha–his brother. Yet lately he persistently dreams about running, in full wolf form, to save a beautiful woman who smells of flowers–and death.

At first the woman's identity is a mystery, until he realizes the dreams are a residual imprint of something that really happened. Not only is the woman temptation wrapped in real flesh and blood, she's still in danger. And the one thing he never thought he wanted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Flirtation Publishing
• Release date: Jun 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386742685

Candice Gilmer

USA Today and NY Times bestselling author Candice Gilmer leads a dangerous double life as a mommy and a writer. In between boo-boo healing and fixing broken toys, she writes stories usually to the tune of children’s television shows. Growing up in the Midwest, Candice stays close to her family, especially the ones with basements when the tornadoes come around. All in all, she stays very busy, but really, she wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, maybe a little less children’s television.

Book preview

1

OCTOBER 1ST, CLOSING TIME

The glow of the moon lit the hard ground, and trees cast monstrous shadows to the edge of the concrete. Plenty of places for enemies to hide—enemies of man and enemies of myth could weave through the dark. They lurked in the night, ready to attack.

Footsteps crunched across the pavement while the wind hissed in search of something to splatter against and died only at the line of the woods. The branches flew about and spilled leaves onto the earth.

More footsteps echoed—another kind of hunter, not one of his own. The slow steps of the other hunter’s trek, disguised by the whipping winds, were almost undetectable to the prey.

A mythical’s lust spilled off the hunter as he stalked. The lust, far beyond what a human could comprehend, eroded the air around the creature, choking the animal on its horrid stench of sick desire.

This mortal enemy would attack.

The animal waited no more—the other would soon know that he was not the only mythical in the field this night.

The human prey, forgotten by the animal, moved into danger. Air currents shifted and a smell came to the animal. The smell of a female—a lacing of floral, sweetness and death.

The human was stained in the scents.

The animal continued.

The closer he got to the hunter, the stronger the floral scent. The stronger the smell of the floral, the stronger the hunter’s own smell increased.

The animal was almost there.

The hunter emerged from the shadows, heading straight for the floral-scented one.

Boom.

Thud.

Attack went the animal.

2

EIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK

"S on of a bitch," Neil Drigan muttered as he slammed his hammer into the cage.

That won’t get anything done. Kelsey Drigan laid out several foot-long subs on the little card table.

Forgive my brother, David Drigan said, putting his arm around her. He is a jackass. Said jackass growled as he pushed his glasses back up his nose.

Be nice… David picked up a deli sandwich and stripped off the paper, …or I’ll eat your sub.

Neil climbed out from the cage and crossed to Kelsey and David, who were both munching on their dinner.

Kelsey picked up a piece of paper. The installation doesn’t look hard, Neil. See. She held up the instructions. All you have to do is push the little tab into the knob, and, poof, you’re done. Maybe you need some new glasses.

Neil took a bite of his sandwich. Then you do it. He glared at his brother. Why are we installing new latches on all the cages tonight, on a full moon?

Because I noticed a few, including yours, were looking weak, David said, and I’m the boss. I say we do it now before we have any trouble.

Neil rolled his eyes. This would have been better to do, oh, I don’t know, a week ago, before we needed it done.

I hadn’t found the right kind yet, David answered. It’s not easy to find latches that are sturdy enough for us.

Yeah, you beasts are awfully resourceful. Kelsey rubbed her husband’s shoulders.

David arched into her touch, and turned toward her. Love you.

I love your eyes right now. She grinned. All bright and shiny.

All the better to see you with, my dear… David whispered back.

Neil didn’t want to puke. Save it. I really don’t want to see that shit. He bit a chunk off his sandwich and glanced back at the bay of cages. They had ten left to do. And while he hated to admit it, his sister-in-law was right in theory. The new latches should have been simple to install.

But the installers didn’t account for bent cages and improper alignments. Most of the

work Neil had to do was more about bending the cages back into their proper positions before installing the new latches.

Neil, are you okay? Kelsey asked.

I’m fine, he snapped.

She raised an eyebrow. You don’t act like you’re fine.

He stood and crossed the room, putting his back to his far-too-intuitive sister-in-law.

Tense. That’s all.

He’s not getting any, David stage-whispered.

Neil growled. Completely untrue. He was getting some. He had a couple of standby friends with benefits ready whenever he wanted to have some bed sport.

She laughed. You might be right. Maybe the playboy’s finally craving something a little more settled.

He pulled his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. I’m not craving anything. Neil was just fine with the status quo. No woman to tie him down, to hold him to the bonds of his pack. If he had his way, he’d be quite happy leaving the area, settling on his own somewhere far away from his brother and sister-in-law and their mushy-gushy shit.

Yet someone had to stay here and keep an eye on his brother—the pack Alpha needed someone to always have his back.

He put his glasses back on and went back to his food.

I think he doth protest too much, Kelsey said.

He finished off his sandwich. He thanked his sister-in-law for the meal and returned to the latches. He’d much rather tell Kelsey to mind her own damn business, but that would start something with David, and he really didn’t feel like messing with his brother for once.

The full moon was coming. He could feel it under his skin—the beast within ready to pounce—they didn’t have a lot of time left before lockdown. David’s eyes were neon-bright blue, as always right before a full moon.

Neil guessed his were just as bright, though he was the only one in the family with green eyes.

Echoes of footfalls on the stairs made him turn. Caleb and Chase thundered into the basement room, the twins’ eyes glowing blue like they’d been using the spice from Frank Herbert’s Dune too.

Neil sighed. Well, maybe we’ll get this done now, with a few extra hands. At least, that was what he hoped.

Hey, bros, what’s up? Chase grinned as he came in—he looked freshly showered, but the vague smell of smoke that always seemed to be with him still stung Neil’s nose.

About time you two got here. David tossed them both packages of new latches. We need to get these installed.

Nice new latches, Caleb said, dressed in new jeans and a T-shirt. Mine never did latch quite right, anyway.

Hope you plan on getting those threads dirty, Neil said, rubbing his hand on his old shirt.

Caleb grinned. Getting dirty never bothered me.

That’s because you’re single, Kelsey said.

Caleb crossed to Neil and put his arm around him. Just following in big brother’s footsteps, here. No mates for me.

Neil rolled his eyes. Let’s get to work. He jerked out of his brother’s touch. Normally he would appreciate the bit of endorsement, but tonight everything irritated him.

He hated to admit it, but maybe Kelsey was on to something. Now that he’d thought about it, he hadn’t called any of his friends for some attention. He had enough stuff going on lately—losing his job being the top concern. Maybe lack of sex was part of the reason his skin kept crawling—more than just the moon coming.

Carnal needs.

Combined with the pull of the moon.

Must be it…

One of the wrenches he’d been using wasn’t working on the cage. What the hell? Were all the damn screws different?

He threw it across the bay. The echoing stumbled and silenced everyone in the room.

If he’s that grumpy tonight, I’m moving cages, Chase said. I don’t want to wake up all fileted in the morning. David snorted.

Kelsey laughed.

Neil growled.

3

FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK

"H mm," Melios said, wandering around the room, staring at the newborns. Each of them was thin, gaunt and ravenously hungry.

Good. Good.

Babies, all just a month out of the coffin, but they’d finally gained some control over their impulses.

He glanced at the row of guards behind the prospects. They were a bit more mature, a few decades old.

His animals.

The SEALs. They stayed in perfect formation behind the babies, in utter control of their impulses.

Good little soldiers.

The babies each stood erect and waiting, their chests heaving in hunger.

Melios walked to his desk and opened his decanter.

Each one’s eyes perked up. One even took a step forward—a newborn. His animals knew better.

He merely raised an eyebrow at the one who dared move. Yes? The baby vampire stepped back.

He poured himself a small dribble of the blood wine—a mixture of blood and merlot, though heavy on the blood—and took a sip.

They all licked their lips. Children, I need your assistance.

Yes, Master, they all replied.

He tapped his finger on the cup, the bit of nail clattering against the metal rim. I know that some of you have been very messy lately. No one moved.

The long red robe he wore—yes, it was cliché, but much more comfortable than bothering with clothing—swished as he glided in front of one of the vampires.

Dirty, sandy-blond hair framed the gaunt baby vampire’s face. His jaw even more thin than when he was first brought in. The boy was a problem. Melios leveled his gaze at the baby vampire’s gray-blue eyes.

You need to bring prospects back. Not leave them lying in a ditch.

The young one hung his head. I am sorry, Master.

Melios turned to the others. You all must better control your urges. All of you must bring me an offering tonight. Female. Fuckable.

Yes, Master.

He crossed to the wall and pressed a button. The wall began to separate, revealing a wide, deep-red bed where lay several half-dead women.

He kicked one off the bed. Here. Feed. Then go. You have until the dawn. The babies swarmed the body.

He smirked and swallowed the last of his wine as he lay on the bed.

One of the women—still a fairly viable blood source—roused from her slumber, crawled toward him, blood caked on her cheek. He opened his robe and she began to caress his bare skin. She moved all over him as he watched the babies feed.

And the SEALs stood at attention behind them all.

None of them moved.

4

TWO HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK

Marissa stopped cold when she heard a sniffle. Barker’s was a modest bar and grill with an even more modest women’s bathroom. When she walked into the bathroom, she’d just wanted to get in, pee and get out.

Damn it.

Someone was crying.

She turned the corner and, sure enough, standing at the sink was Lisa, one of the waitresses. Her waitress, as a matter of fact.

She had that horrid moment in her gut—the one that warred over what to do. Did she go see if she could comfort the waitress, or did she do her business and get out? She hated being so wishy-washy about stuff like this, but, the last few years, she’d lost her ability to connect with people.

Sure, she still had her friends, but she didn’t have the same connection she’d had before.

Death would do that.

Even though her gut was conflicted, she hated seeing someone in pain. Her empathy took control, and she approached Lisa. Honey, are you okay?

Lisa snorted and wiped her face. Yeah. Just…it’s not been the best night.

What’s going on? She wet a paper towel and handed it to her, allowing the gal to freshen her face as she began to talk.

Guys just suck. The waitress began regaling her with a tale good enough to put in a soap opera or on bad reality TV.

She listened, and vaguely knew who some of the players were—long story short, Lisa had been dating one of the bouncers at Barker’s, and he’d been all over some perky blonde all night.

If you knew he was a player, why date him at all? Marissa finally asked.

Lisa shrugged. I don’t know. Thought maybe I could…

Change him? she asked. Because you can’t. Players will always be players. They screw around on you and pretend that it’s your fault they can’t keep it in their pants.

I know, Lisa muttered.

Believe me. I have extensive knowledge in this area. Marissa brushed a loose curl off

her forehead. I dated one too. You have to let go. Because you can’t change a player. They won’t let you.

Why do they do it? Lisa asked.

Small penises?

Not exactly.

Daddy issues?

Lisa laughed. Probably. But I think we’re getting way too close to my psychology class right now.

Marissa smiled. It took me a while to figure it out, and now I can share it with you. You can’t change anyone but yourself. Don’t even bother. If you can’t take them the way they are, then you shouldn’t be with them. She knew from far-too-recent experience—her ex had absolutely been a player. And she’d been one of those girls who thought she could change him.

Figured out after the third time that, nope, she couldn’t do anything to make him be a better person.

So, she could very much empathize with Lisa’s experience.

Random question—what if it’s just little things? Like flossing his teeth at the table?

Eww…

Both of them laughed.

Marissa hugged Lisa. You going to be okay?

She nodded. I’d better get back out there. I’m sure someone’s probably clumping an empty beer pitcher on a table, demanding service.

Okay. If you need to chat, just holler, she said as they turned to leave the bathroom. Then her bladder reminded her why she came in, so she took care of her business.

When she got back to the table, she noticed Lisa looked more in control, and nodded to herself.

Deanna leaned in. You were gone awhile.

The karaoke was in full swing, and the DJ had evidently gotten to the bachelorette party because the bride, with her mock veil, was singing some dang Justin Bieber song. So, talking without leaning in was out of the question.

Had drama in the bathroom.

Really?

She proceeded to tell her best friend about Lisa and the randy bouncer, which brought out Deanna’s Queen Bitch side. Which led to a plot on how to get this bouncer back on behalf of all womanhood.

And then, you know, I think if we can find a way to glue his pe—

Wait, Marissa said, stopping her friend mid-rant. Is that… She pointed to the group that had just come through the door.

OMG, it is, Deanna said. Wow, he’s gotta have the biggest balls ever.

Trust me, he doesn’t.

You would know. Deanna snorted. Still, this is your turf. You brought him here. He shouldn’t even come here. That’s in the dating laws.

Marissa smirked. The idiot was her ex-boyfriend Kirk. And he shouldn’t be here. After all, this was where she hung out. She’d brought Kirk in the bar. Into her circle of friends.

When he tried to do every piece on the side he could, well, that cut him out of the circle.

And what’s wrong with him? Deanna asked.

They both watched Kirk and the group he’d come in with move through the bar. He was slow. Almost—well, she hated to think it—graceful. As if he floated on air.

But he didn’t look right. She scanned his new associates, and didn’t recognize any of them. They certainly weren’t his usual crowd.

Lord, did he get attacked and made over by a rampant group of goths? Deanna asked.

Something. The observation was fairly accurate. Kirk had always worn flashy, expensive clothes. Tonight, though, he wore black and gray, with chains, and even his skin looked pale and gaunt.

Is he wearing makeup? she wondered. He’d never been that pale before.

I don’t know who the hell he’s running with, her friend said, then sipped on her drink. But that’s not his people. I doubt that whole group has more than fifty bucks between them.

They meandered through the room, walking straight past the table, and didn’t seem to notice Marissa and Deanna.

Or a bar of soap. Good God, Deanna muttered, holding her nose. She touched Marissa’s arm. Did he do drugs?

Not that I know of. Marissa winced at the smell. Had he not bathed since they broke up? But we broke up a while ago. Evidently, he’s not quite so concerned about hygiene. That doesn’t mean he’s doing stuff, though. She didn’t remember him showing any signs of being in to drugs when they dated. Not that she recognized, but that didn’t mean anything.

Kirk had done a lot of stuff that she didn’t know about—at first.

Look at his face! It’s all thin and bony. He’s doing something. That’s, like, crackhead thin.

She nodded. When she saw someone that gaunt, they were usually on something that wasn’t purchased at the local convenience store.

Kirk and his group circled the bar, watching people. Then, like a badly done floor show, every one of them, including Kirk, walked right out the door as fast as they’d come in.

Okay, that was just weird, Deanna said.

Yeah. Really weird. Marissa sipped on her drink. Ironic, really. Since she’d just been talking about Kirk to Lisa in the bathroom.

As far as she could tell, he hadn’t looked her way once, either.

5

THE ATTACK

Marissa rubbed her head and she pushed herself off the ground. It was cold. A little wet.

What in the world?

She’d been inside, in the bar. Waiting with Lisa after closing time. Lisa had asked her to stay, to hang with her while she cleaned