Shadow Stalker (Revenant Book Book 2), page 12
Griffin’s mouth kissed away the tears streaming down her face, and she fought the urge to flinch. When he rained small kisses across her face, she wanted to run. She didn’t want gentle and sweet—that tenderness simply did not exist for her. Caylin tried to make herself pull away, but her body just would not comply. Instead, she seemed to pull him closer to her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers played with some of the hair on his neck. As his tongue delved into her mouth, Caylin pulled him in closer.
She waited for the wall to come up, the one that blocked out any intimate moments. It had kept her protected against the many numerous men who had broken and beaten her over the years, but this time it failed her. Caylin was transfixed in the moment, one that she knew would last forever in her mind.
Griffin broke the kiss and put his forehead against hers. “No more self-destructing, Caylin.”
“I can’t seem to help myself,” Caylin whispered.
“Then let me help you.” Griffin stroked her face with his hand, and she was entranced by him.
When his mouth touched hers, Caylin felt the bright light surrounding her start to filter into her like a peaceful lullaby. He soothed her soul in ways she never thought existed with just one kiss. When he seemed to withdraw from her, Caylin pulled him closer. “Please….”
Griffin was caught between the edge of reason and her plea for more. “Caylin….”
Caylin stood up from his lap, even though it meant leaving the safety of his arms. She realized they were in her apartment, which was strange to her because it had never felt this clear and inviting. Maybe that was what his energy brought to her space. She kicked her shoes off and followed it with her socks.
“What are you doing, Caylin?” His eyes followed her every movement.
“Getting comfortable.” But she wasn’t. The more she removed, the more vulnerable she felt. Her body image wasn’t spectacular—it was marred with nightmares that she could never erase. As she lifted her shirt over her head, she heard his intake of breath. Caylin now stood there as exposed as if she were completely naked, as the only thing left was her undergarments.
“Caylin….” His voice was tight as if he were trying to maintain some sense of control.
When he made no move to approach her, she crossed her arms over her body and felt like an awkward virgin standing for his approval. She could not read the emotions on his face. Turning away from him, she closed her eyes and tried to shut out the voices that raced through her head. Tainted, marked, dirty, unworthy. In this moment, the anger that fueled her was non-existent. Her defenses were down, and she felt her heart quivering as it waited to be put out of its misery once and for all. If not Griffin, then no one. Clearly, she had made a mistake. Her shoulders slumped, and she fought the misery that was building inside of her.
It disappeared the moment she felt his arms wrap around her stomach. He pulled her against him, and his mouth rained kisses down her shoulders. When he swept the hair away from her neck and kissed along the inside of her neck, Caylin felt a spark light inside her. She flinched slightly as his hands massaged against her stomach. Never had any man made her body react so easily to his touch.
“So beautiful,” he whispered near her ear.
“You don’t find me hideous?”
Her whisper made him tighten his hold on her stomach. “Hideous? You’re perfection.”
Caylin spun around in his arms and sought his eyes. She needed to see the truth in his eyes. As she gazed inside them, it was as if she were the only woman in his universe. Caylin recognized that look—it resonated deep inside her. She was also terrified of it. “I’m scarred.”
Caylin referred to the scars on her abdomen and her back. The rough torture of the streets had taken its toll on her flesh many times over. She sucked in her breath when Griffin knelt before her and kissed every single inch of the scars lining her abdomen. Wrapping her fingers in his hair, she felt tears fall down her face. For once, she let them fall. In this moment, she felt beautiful, reformed, worthy.
When he rose again, he kissed her tears away as his hands unlatched the bra clasps. He slid the bra straps from her shoulders, and Caylin sucked in her breath when his finger swept over her nipple. One touch, and she was ready to crumble in his arms. His mouth met hers, and Caylin pushed his shirt up with her hands. She felt the warmth of his stomach as the muscles bunched up under her touch. He lifted his arms, allowing her to remove his shirt. Their kiss broke only for a few seconds before his mouth was on hers again.
Griffin growled slightly when her hands slid beneath his pants. She felt him jerk away from her when her finger grazed over the top of his erection. He was definitely more than ready for this. That knowledge excited her. He pushed her hands away and undid the buttons of his jeans. After he slid them down, he pulled her hard against him. Caylin realized then that he had discarded his briefs as well.
Caylin wrapped her hands around him and planted them firmly on his ass as she brought him closer to her. She whimpered when his mouth moved from hers and started to make a path down her neck. Her nipples tightened against his chest, and she reveled in the way they felt against his skin. He seemed to enjoy it too, for his hands slid under her panties and squeezed her cheeks hard in his palms. Caylin felt a warmth pool inside her and was confused by the moisture that seemed to drip from her. She’d never had that reaction to a man before.
Griffin pushed the band of her panties down, and they slid to the floor at her feet. Now completely naked before each other, Caylin shivered in anticipation. His mouth traveled down the valley of her breasts, and Caylin moaned softly. His lips set her on fire everywhere they touched. When she thought she could tolerate no more, she gasped when he pulled her nipple into his mouth, while his thumb made small circles around the other one. Her legs felt weak and unsteady.
As if sensing her dilemma, Griffin scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed. He lay her gently on the bed and stood back to admire her. “I’ve dreamed of this moment.”
“Oh?” Caylin’s eyebrow rose curiously. “What happened next?”
“Well, first….”
His hands spread her legs open, and Caylin was caught off guard. Was that all there was? He would mount her, and it would be over? She was surprised when his lips ran kisses along the inside of her thighs, alternating with small nibbles that made her legs trembled with each one.
“Oh!” she exclaimed when his mouth started to work its magic on her clit. She had clearly not seen that coming. As his tongue slid beneath her folds, she almost lost control completely. Soft like silk, hot and sweet, he worked her over until she was nearly thrashing on the bed before him. Caylin had never felt so crazy for anyone before in her life. The gentle hum that had been singing through her body earlier was replaced with a raw need for him to possess every inch of her body.
He released her and moved up the length of her body with the same teasing movements that were sending her over the edge and back. His mouth took her breast into it again, as his fingers started to fuel her wild desire for him as they stroked her clit. She came hard and fast against him, and a blazing fire burned through her.
“Griffin!”
He bit her nipple, and she whimpered. “So hot, Caylin.”
“God, yes!” Caylin felt herself erupt again as he continued to move her to another finish line.
Griffin moved away from her and stood up to retrieve protection. She watched him roll the condom down the length of his cock, and a new thrill filled her body as she thought about how it would feel to be possessed by every inch of him. Caylin wanted that more than anything else.
He turned to see her staring at him, and desire flashed on his face. Caylin sucked in her breath as he walked to the bed with the stealth of a tiger. When his body sunk onto the bed over hers, she opened her legs and prayed he put her out of her misery. Every inch of her was thirsty for him.
“You’re sure?” Griffin asked just as he was poised to penetrate her core.
“If you stop now, I might have to kill you,” she threatened him.
He chuckled at her words, but when she wrapped her legs around him and forced him inside her, his laughter stopped. Instead, he grunted slightly as she quivered around him. “You’re an angel.”
“I’m no angel, Griffin.”
“Anything that feels this good is divine.”
He pushed into her gently, and Caylin dug her nails into his back. His thrusts were slow at first, but the more he moved, the more something beautiful built inside her. When he picked up the pace, she wrapped her legs around him and held on for the ride as she crashed over the next wave of oblivion. Her finish seemed to spur him on, and soon he was pummeling into her like a man obsessed with her possession. When he thrust into her one last time, Caylin trembled around him.
When he tried to pull away, she held him closer. Caylin just wanted to stay wrapped in the moment with him. She never wanted it to end. Reality would creep in on them all too soon. She was not prepared for its cold breath. Not yet.
Griffin pulled out of her and kissed her on the forehead. He left the bed briefly to her disappointment. When he returned, she was relieved. Pulling her into his arms, Griffin ran a hand up and down her spine. She snuggled against him and murmured softly. The two of them lay there in the silence until both of them fell asleep.
Chapter 16
When Caylin woke up, she found herself alone in her bed, which made her wonder if the events from the night before had even happened. Leave it to her to conjure a mirage in her head. Not that Caylin had many sexual fantasies. If that was what it was, she planned on having more in the future, for her body was still feeling sensual and content.
As she stretched under the covers, it was clear that she was naked beneath them. Maybe it wasn’t a dream then, but that still did not explain why Griffin was nowhere to be seen. Caylin pushed the covers aside and looked over at the clock. It was already mid-morning. She should have been up long before now. Walking over to the closet, she chose her clothes for the day and set them out. After taking a quick shower and getting ready for the morning, it was already close to lunchtime.
“Damn it.” Caylin had slept in more here at Sector Fifteen than she had at any other time in her life. Would they start thinking she was lazy if it continued? Should she care what they thought? She never really sought anyone’s approval, but this place was different. Caylin felt like she needed to prove herself, especially after last night’s debacle.
Caylin let out a defeated sigh. Maybe she had been a little reckless in touching the orb the way she had, but she had learned some important information. The Revenant could not sense her, even when she was searching for him. This they could use to their advantage. Hopefully, the others would not be too upset at her for being so strong-willed. There was only one way to find out.
Whisking her hand in front of her, she sent herself down to the gathering room. The other five were having a serious debate about something. They barely even noticed she had appeared. Caylin pulled a chair out and waited to see if anyone would acknowledge her.
Griffin was the first. His eyes met hers, and she shivered slightly as she remembered looking into them the night before when ecstasy had blanketed her entire existence. A small blush covered her cheeks as a knowing smile seemed to curve across his face.
He cleared his throat. “We have company.”
“What? Oh.” Campbell nodded at her. “Caylin. Recovering fine?”
“Yes.” Caylin didn’t know what else to say.
“You gave us quite a scare yesterday,” Lia reprimanded her.
“I’m fine. No worse for the wear.”
She shook off the concern. Griffin’s eyes were probing hers, but she looked away. If he wanted to know how she was, he should have stuck around. Waking up to him gone, that had stung. Had they even slept in the same bed? Or had he snuck out of the room as soon as he could do so without catching her attention?
“What happened when you touched the orb?” Devon asked curiously.
“I heard his voice. He was sending them out to find me, but….” Caylin paused. “He couldn’t find me.”
“Even with you touching the orb?” Campbell asked her.
“Seems that way.”
“Still, you took a horrible risk,” cautioned Lia. “I’ve seen what those things can do. What if you had incinerated like the Craven?”
“I didn’t.” Caylin refused to think about what could have happened. If she had a destiny to end the Revenant, then some silly ass stone was not going to take her out. That would be far too easy.
“Regardless, you will take more care in the future.” Griffin’s voice had a definitive sound to it.
Caylin fought the urge to argue with him but resisted. She knew he was right. More precaution would have to be taken in the future; otherwise, Caylin would pass out any time she touched it. How helpful would that be? She needed to be able to partially shield herself from the darkness. After spending some time with Griffin last night, she knew exactly how to do it. The soft, gentle bubble that had surrounded her would be enough to keep her safe from the icy blast from the black orb. She was sure of it. All she had to do was figure out how to manufacture that without Griffin’s presence.
“I want to try again,” Caylin interjected.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” cautioned Lia.
“Why not? I’m fine.”
“According to Lyssa, you weren’t so fine when you left the fight,” Lia pointed out.
“I was impulsive. I’ll do better. I know what to do.” Caylin didn’t want to explain how she knew—that would put too much attention on whatever was happening between her and Griffin. They had slept together. That didn’t mean they were a couple. For all she knew, Griffin already had someone else in his life. Why hadn’t she thought to ask that? Lyssa had Hunter. They were married. Was Griffin? Was that why he had pushed her away before? Caylin realized there was a lot they needed to talk about, but right now was not the time.
“What’s your plan?” Campbell asked her.
“I can’t really explain it; you just have to trust me. Where is the orb?” Caylin asked them.
Campbell snapped his fingers, and the orb appeared in the space before her.
“Perfect.”
“Wait, Caylin—” Griffin tried to stop her.
“Trust me.” She wanted more than his trust. Caylin wanted every piece of him, married or not, but now was not the time to cloud her mind with such things. Closing her eyes, Caylin cast a white shield of light, filling it with all the hope and love she had felt rotating around her the night before. She remembered what Lyssa had told her before; love was one of the only powers strong enough to take down the shadows. It would work just as well as her shield.
Caylin felt her hair standing out around her as if filled with static electricity. She blocked out the world around her and let the light fill her. The moment she touched her fingers to the orb, her eyes were no longer her own. It was as if she had become the being she was trying to locate. His every word echoed inside her mind. She heard him yelling at his minions.
Are the cows infected?
Yes. One of the Craven answered him. The industry will be flooded with them before too long.
Suckers, every last one of them. Throw them a discount of any kind, and they take it, just to turn more profit. The Revenant cackled gleefully. They’ve never figured out where the sickness is coming from.
What should we watch for? the man asked him.
Insanity, of course. Murder, chaos, mayhem. Bloody massacres. The world will be covered in blood.
Do you want us to harvest more stones?
Yes. Grind it up and put it in the grains at the silo. They’ll suspect a rise in mind-altering narcotics before they think to check their food sources.
A brilliant plan, Master. The Craven bowed low before him and whisked himself off.
Caylin looked through his eyes and saw the shadows forming from oily puddles near him. As she tried to zero in closer, something pushed back at her. She could sense the evil laughter rising in him. I feel you, Stalker. I may not see you yet, but I will find you. You will be mine, or you will die.
At that point, Caylin released the orb and let it float gently to the table. There were a few things that did not make sense to her. Like if he had sensed her, why would he be throwing his plot out there for her to read? It had to be a trap, a way for him to find her. That she could not let happen, but she would still relay the information that had been shared right before her. Caylin sat there, the thoughts rotating through her mind so fast she was having trouble keeping up with them.
“Caylin?” One voice brought her around.
Caylin looked around for him. Her eyes met his. “I’m fine, Griffin.”
She wanted to say it was thanks to him that she had been able to withstand the darkness flowing from the dark crystal inside the orb. Closing her eyes, she tried to decide which points of information were the most important. No matter what, she knew the Revenant still planned on poisoning the grain with rocks they were harvesting. That would be the first stage.
“Did you see him?” Campbell asked her.
“I did.” Caylin nodded.
“Did he see you?” Griffin asked her.
“Yes and no. He doesn’t know where I am, but he can still sense me.” Caylin did not like the idea that some horny dark creature was out to get her. What did he plan on doing with her if he found her? Caylin shivered as her mind ran over some of the possibilities.
“Caylin?” Griffin seemed to notice her discomfort.
“It’s nothing. What you need to know is that the Craven has been contracted to poison the world with his darkness. They’re going to use our food to do it.”
