Bloodline (Paranormal Romance, Dark & Twisted) Saving Demons Series Book 1

So, yes, something was seriously wrong in my head, because witches and Satan's sons were plotting against me, and the whole way down the mountain pass all I could think about was how much Roman reminded me of Dammon. The wind kept his hair flowing away from his face, allowing me to examine every detail, from the deep scar just above his left brow, to the faint freckles that flanked his nose. Of course, I knew the power of my pain did not result in Dammon's resurrection, but my heart didn't know how impossible this was. And, besides the similar sunny-ness of the hair, Dammon and Roman were nothing alike, really. Roman seemed much more macho and manlier than Dammon was. Roman seemed rough around the edges, and Dammon was soft all the way to the core. But they shared a similar peacefulness that emanated from them.

  If Roman had noticed me staring at him practically the entire way into town, he hadn't made it known to me. He only glanced at me once with those electric-blue eyes. Other than that, I seemed invisible to him.

  And of course I was invisible to someone like him.

  Roman was a church-kinda-guy, and here I was --whatever I was-- not a church-kinda-gal. Not even the happy hum in Sleepy Hallow Baptist Church accepted me, so why should Roman? Not to mention I was a freak. And Roman was so not a freak.

  Not that I cared, or anything. I had enough guy trouble as it was. I certainly did not need anymore. And this was just too bad. Roman certainly looked like some fun kind of trouble!

  Roman took us to the coffee shop where Izzy and I had gone the other day, which I think was the only restaurant in town. Izzy and I followed Roman out onto the back deck and down to the more secluded area next to the bloated river. We sat down in old, iron chairs at a little round table. The water, babbling loudly with the rocks, welcomed me with her comforting feel. The trees seemed to try to embrace us by the way they huddled closely to the deck. There were no animal heads out here to distract me, which was fine by me. Roman would have really thought I was special had I given in to the temptation to talk back to the dead animal heads.

  After an older lady dressed in a skirt and a drab blouse brought us water and menus, Izzy leaned into the table opposite from me and whispered, "I think we should get you out of town. At least then you would be out of the demons' reach. Sure any of the Daughters could still---"

  "No," Roman said. His voice was firm and strong, enhancing his masculinity. "And tell her mother what?"

  "Luna's life is in danger, and you're worried about what to tell her mother?" Izzy looked at her brother like she thought he was crazy. Heck, maybe he was. He did kind of look capable of crazy stuff, with those thick, rippling arms, that sharp edge to his jaw and the fearless look in his eyes. Yes, I had become a pro at spotting the crazy ones. It takes one to know one, right? So if Roman really was crazy then he was definitely a different kind of crazy than what I was used to.

  "Running away from this only postpones the inevitable," Roman said.

  "And what is your perspective on the inevitable?" Izzy countered.

  "Confrontation."

  The waitress returned to our table and took our order. I didn't think I was hungry after all, until Izzy mentioned French toast. My stomach complained with a growl, and so I ordered what Izzy was having. As the lady collected our menus, I was suddenly aware of gooey, black-shadow eyes watching me from the woods on the other side of the stream.

  Bane was out there somewhere and he was close. I could feel him. A part of me wanted to rush away from the table and run to him. I didn't care what anyone said about the sons of Satan and how dangerous they were. It was safe in Bane's arms. And oh, how I longed to feel the black, feathery cocoon of his wings. Oh, how I longed to be kissed again in that savage way of his.

  But he nearly killed me, I reminded myself. Or at least, through him, his siblings had nearly killed me.

  Roman followed my gaze over his shoulder. It wasn't just a quick glance behind him, but rather a very thorough examination of the forest. Then he looked back at me with knowing eyes. It was the first time he really looked at me. And when he did, his gaze sent something skittered across my belly, like drunken butterflies, leaving a fluttering sensation as they crash-landed, tumbled and then skidded through me.

  "You can feel him, can't you?" He said, accusingly, like it wasn't really a question but a statement instead. "Because of the bond. You know when he's near." There was something about his tone, his demeanor that demanded respect and obedience, though it was nothing like Sean's and his demands.

  "Yes, I can."

  "He can hear your thoughts and see through your eyes," Roman said, looking at me so intently that it made me want to shrivel up and disappear, yet stay and be looked at, at the very same time. Was he actually looking for Bane? Did he believe that if he stared long enough he'd actually be able to see him through my eyes? He probably could. If I could see them and Addy could see them then it was probably possible for Roman to see them too.

  "Can you see into him the way that he can see into you?"

  "Roman," Izzy scolded, prodding him with her boney elbow. "I already explained this to you," she said, but what I think she really meant to say was: quit getting all freaky on Luna. You'll scare her away and I really want her to like you.

  Roman continued to stare at me in this really deep, trance-like way, ignoring his sister. "Can you see into him the way he can see into you?" he repeated, sounding slightly less patient than he sounded before. This made me wonder if church-guys were any different from the guys I was used to? I almost laughed. Of course they weren't any different! Guys were guys. They were all built the same. It didn't matter where they went or what they did. It did not change their design. Roman was definitely no different. I could feel his domineering, rough and tough demeanor emanating from him as if it were a gaseous hue like the dragmen emitted.

  Roman waved his palm slowly in front of my face, cutting through the invisible bond our eyes had made with one another. I blinked, remembering what he had just asked me.

  "No, I can't. Except, I think I may have once. I'm not sure," I said.

  "I think it was Bane only showing her what he wanted her to see," Izzy interjected. Again, Roman seemed to ignore his sister. He didn't look away from me when she spoke to him.

  "So you can feel him in your head."

  "I don't know. Only when he's near, I think."

  "Like now."

  "Yes."

  "So more than likely you've grown so used to having him in your mind that you wouldn't know the difference. Do you feel him when he's not?"

  I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't think so. I never thought to pay attention to the comings and goings of the Devil's son in my head," I said, sarcastically. I didn't like the way he was interrogating me. I didn't like the way he seemed to be bullying me without the bullying and I certainly didn't like how he intoxicated those poor little innocent butterflies inside me. Besides, those were Bane's butterflies! Only Bane could do with them as he so pleased.

  "I think it's time for you to start paying closer attention. Knowing everything you possibly can about him, and how he works within you, could be quite beneficial. As it stands right now, we're at a great disadvantage with him being able to see and hear everything we say and do."

  "Bane is not a threat to me," I said, defensively.

  "Even if that were so, can you say that about the others? Satan is a threat to everyone. It is hard to imagine that a son of his could be harmless."

  "Bane loves her, remember. I told you that," Izzy said, coming to my defense. It was a half-hearted attempt, for I could hear the doubt in her voice, but it was an attempt all the same.

  Roman kept his eyes locked in mine as he spoke to his sister. "It is impossible for a son of Satan to love anyone or anything."

  "Then you must not know anything about love, Roman Gordon," I said, smooth and hotly. "It is a powerful thing. It is something that can change you entirely."

  Roman's eyes narrowed just slightly, as if he'd been pricked by the sharp point of my words. I think he was about to say somethin
g, but was interrupted by the waitress who was bringing our food. Even as the lady set our plates before us, Roman stared me down. He didn't like that I had spoken to him that way, but I didn't care what Roman liked or disliked, so I stared right back at him with narrowed eyes.

  Izzy cleared her throat, which finally caused Roman to peel his eyes away from mine. At the same exact time, Izzy and Roman closed their eyes and bowed their heads over their plates of food. Roman prayed. "Dear Lord, we thank you for this food and pray that you bless it to our bodies. I ask that you give us strength and wisdom, for we will need it in the days to come. In Jesus's name I pray these things. Amen." Brother and sister both opened their eyes and began to eat, oblivious to the fact that I sat across from them staring at them in discomfort. I had never heard a prayer before, at least not one to the god that they worshiped. I felt left out, detached from their little world of beliefs. Solemnly, I began to slather butter on my French toast, trying not to wince at the pain it caused in my hand as I did so. My knuckles were bruised and scraped, and I was pretty sure I had broken a bone or two. Bane was still in the forest, watching me. I didn't find it creepy now that I knew it was my Dark Angel's eyes that felt like sticky darkness. I should have known this. I should have recognized the feel of his eyes, but I didn't.

  As I ate, or more like, inhaled, my breakfast, I told myself that I wasn't worried about all this stuff Roman and Izzy were worried about. I knew in my heart, in my blood, that Bane was my protector and that as long as he was around, no one would hurt me.

  "The Coven's leaders need to know that the sons of Lucifer know their way to freedom. I'm pretty certain if The Coven was to know this they wouldn't end up escorting any of the sons to Sleepy Hallow when they come. And they will most definitely want to escort Bane out of Sleepy Hallow as soon as possible. The coven is not going to want the sons anywhere near her," Roman said.

  Izzy gasped with excitement. "What a brilliant idea!"

  Trailing the sound of Izzy's voice, came four, maybe five deep, malevolent voices booming inside my head like thunder, and both my heart and my lips echoed them. "No!" I cried.

  Then pain shot through my head from temple to temple, like someone had cut me with a knife from the inside. I squeezed my eyes shut, clutching my head with my hands. I couldn't breathe, for the pain was so intense. Only moments from now my head was going to explode, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to keep that from happening. The pressure was building. The pain was intensifying. The voices were now chanting, No! No! No! Do not tell!

  Just before everything went away, I felt Bane crash through my mind.