Bound in Darkness Read online

  Contents

  Bound - Title Page

  By Nicole Edwards

  Bound - Copyright

  Dictionary

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Epilogue

  Bound - Acknowledgments

  About Nicole Edwards

  Nicole Edwards on Smashwords

  Bound in Darkness

  MISPLACED HALOS, 3

  NICOLE EDWARDS

  BY NICOLE EDWARDS

  ALLURING INDULGENCE

  Kaleb

  Zane

  Travis

  Holidays with the Walker Brothers

  Ethan

  Braydon

  Sawyer

  Brendon

  THE WALKERS OF COYOTE RIDGE

  Curtis

  Jared

  Hard to Hold

  Hard to Handle

  Beau

  Rex

  A Coyote Ridge Christmas

  Mack

  BRANTLEY WALKER: OFF THE BOOKS

  Mission: All In

  AUSTIN ARROWS

  Rush

  Kaufman

  CLUB DESTINY

  Conviction

  Temptation

  Addicted

  Seduction

  Infatuation

  Captivated

  Devotion

  Perception

  Entrusted

  Adored

  Distraction

  DEAD HEAT RANCH

  Boots Optional

  Betting on Grace

  Overnight Love

  DEVIL’S BEND

  Chasing Dreams

  Vanishing Dreams

  MISPLACED HALOS

  Protected in Darkness

  Salvation in Darkness

  Bound in Darkness

  OFFICE INTRIGUE

  Office Intrigue

  Intrigued Out of the Office

  Their Rebellious Submissive

  Their Famous Dominant

  Their Ruthless Sadist

  Their Naughty Student

  Their Fairy Princess

  PIER 70

  Reckless

  Fearless

  Speechless

  Harmless

  Clueless

  SNIPER 1 SECURITY

  Wait for Morning

  Never Say Never

  Tomorrow’s Too Late

  SOUTHERN BOY MAFIA/DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND

  Beautifully Brutal

  Without Regret

  Beautifully Loyal

  Without Restraint

  STANDALONE NOVELS

  Unhinged Trilogy

  A Million Tiny Pieces

  Inked on Paper

  Bad Reputation

  Bad Business

  NAUGHTY HOLIDAY EDITIONS

  2015

  2016

  Copyright © 2020 by Nicole Edwards Limited

  All rights reserved.

  This is a self-published title.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Author: Nicole Edwards

  Title: Bound in Darkness

  Series: Misplaced Halos, 3

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Details:

  Image: Front cover - © Nelli Valova (25441928)| 123rf; Angels of Darkness logo - © Nelli Valova (23506218)| 123rf; Interior image - © huhulin (20193921)| 123rf

  Design: © Nicole Edwards Limited

  Interior Details:

  Formatting: Nicole Edwards Limited

  Editing: Blue Otter Editing | BlueOtterEditing.com

  Identifiers: ISBN: 978-1-64418-023-5 (ebook) | ISBN: 978-1-64418-024-2 (paperback) | ISBN: 978-1-64418-025-9 (audio)

  Subjects: BISAC: FICTION / Fantasy / General | BISAC: FICTION / Romance / General

  MISPLACED HALOS DICTIONARY

  Terms from The Ancient Language of Angels:

  Amnigh: intense desire, or mating heat, experienced between amsouelots.

  Amsouelot: the soul destined for another.

  Archsire and Archdam: angels who procreate specifically for angel warriors.

  Ayreme: Term of endearment meaning my greatest love.

  Dhira: the cloak of darkness initiated by warrior angels. Only angels and Fae can see through, disorients those who attempt to locate them.

  Ereswa: loosely translates to human term wife.

  Gathenya: the sexual energy produced when angels mate.

  Heurosp: an immortal human who works for the angels, managing the mansion.

  Lintamair: ancient mating ceremony of immortals.

  Neilloh: demon sent back to Earth from Hell.

  Reuthet: loosely translates to human term husband.

  Sezari: term of endearment meaning sweetheart, baby.

  Terms from The Ancient Language of Vampires:

  Adighrielin: The Alpha’s advisor, his right hand. The most honorable position within the Zenith, that which is the first line of defense to the Alpha.

  Asyra: term of endearment, translates to my heart.

  Balisra: term of endearment, translates to my love.

  Cosrobol: blood whore; vampires used solely for feeding.

  Dyrlom: honorific title for a male of same status

  Kirlesgun: The current alpha’s regime

  Leaqua: Queen

  Mielix zan: the process of identifying/imprinting on one’s sexual mate.

  Nehadon: vampire mate.

  Phaal: king/alpha

  Sonavex: the secretion injected into a mate by a male vampire upon claiming.

  Tresmar: Honorific title meaning master, someone higher than.

  Vestrahn: housekeeper, groundskeepers, those in service to others.

  Angels of Darkness Hierarchy:

  Lieterra: the right-hand of a warrior angel, tasked with tracking, doling out responsibilities, as well as performing as the warrior’s assistant.

  Ladeare: highest rank within the fiestreigh, responsible for soldiers under him.

  Fiestreigh: the legion
of angels assigned to the Angels of Darkness.

  Ritarro: a position held by a Fae. It’s the equivalent to a handmaiden and a coveted role.

  Demon Hierarchy:

  Trielair: the three demons who oversee the demon factions: Eevuhl, Mizuhree, and Aguhnee.

  Mesonneir: the level of demons beneath the trielair. Equivalent to lieutenants.

  Impietan: a human turned demon by a mesonneir.

  Prologue

  Friday, October 13, 2017

  “Son of a bitch!”

  “Holy shit!”

  “Tell me he’s still alive, bro!”

  Kaj Courtenay had to wonder about the last one. If sheer, endless agony meant he was alive, then yeppers. He was most definitely in the land of the living.

  Had to be, right? Otherwise he wouldn’t be listening to Obsidian’s fool brothers ramble incessantly about whether or not Kaj had succumbed to the lead shower he’d found himself in the middle of.

  Not just one bullet. Oh, no. He’d never get that lucky. If memory served—and that was a bit iffy right now—there were at minimum three pieces of lead stuck somewhere in his torso. Likely in his lung since breathing was a bit more difficult than usual.

  Oh, look at him playing the eternal optimist. Must still be kicking.

  Fuck that. He was on fucking fire, every goddamn inch of him.

  The blaze of agony had started somewhere in his chest and was now catching up with the rest of him. Good news… he could no longer feel his feet, so there was some relief there.

  “Find Acadia!” Obsidian shouted, though who he was talking to, Kaj had no idea. “Right now!”

  Breathe. Just breathe. In … out … in—

  “I’m here, Obsidian.”

  Holy shit, now that was the voice of an angel. Too bad he couldn’t open his eyes to see her.

  “How may I assist?”

  Perhaps a bit more effort was required, because, Heaven help him, he wanted to see her.

  Try, try, try again.

  Nope. Eyes won’t work. What now?

  Oh, right.

  Thanks be to the Almighty, his sense of smell wasn’t broken, so Kaj turned his face in the direction of the soft scent of … well, he didn’t know what it smelled like, but it was the best thing his sinuses had ever pulled through them.

  “I’ve got to get the bullets out,” Obsidian grumbled, that deep, rumbling voice close. “He’ll need blood.”

  Yes. Bullets out, blood in. Good plan, big guy.

  “It would be my pleasure,” the female intoned.

  Heaven. He was pretty sure her voice was the sound made by all those harps in Heaven.

  That lovely cadence drifted amongst the clouds currently filling Kaj’s mind.

  Not clouds, more like fog, growing thicker with every passing second. Perhaps he was hovering between Earth and Heaven, stuck in a state of limbo. Obsidian was down on the mainland while that female was drifting high in the clouds. If Kaj was dangling somewhere in between, he was ready to follow her, wherever she was. Please and thank you.

  “Where do you need me?” the angelic voice asked.

  “Right there’s fine,” Obsidian responded.

  Kaj could imagine a halo ringing her head, casting a beautiful glow over her as she floated effortlessly on white, billowy— The image he was trying to conjure in his mind was obliterated by a blinding pain spearing his chest.

  “Hey, Kaj. I can’t promise this won’t hurt,” Obsidian stated.

  More than this? Yeah. Doubtful. A grumble was all he could manage, the words in his head not being relayed to his mouth.

  “Don’t touch him until I’m finished.” Obsidian’s tone held an air of concern.

  Who? Who was the big bastard talking to? The angel? No, Kaj wanted her to touch him. Right now would be fine. She could carry him right off into the afterlife.

  Surely this was the end for him. At least he’d gone out on a high note. Those demons might’ve nailed him where it counted, but he’d eliminated at least two dozen before he’d given up the ghost. Proved himself to the male he’d come to consider a friend. A fucking angel, of all things. Never in his life had he thought he’d be cozied up to the feathered type, but hey, Kaj was open-minded like that.

  As the fire blazed through him, he briefly wondered whether someone would tell his father he was gone. Would Kardobahn mourn him? Yes, he decided. Perhaps they hadn’t always been close, but Kaj had a good relationship with his father and the new female Kardobahn had mated a few years back. There was no lingering animosity between them. Probably helped that, aside from being his oldest son, Kaj was Kardobahn’s adighrielin, the advisor to the vampire Alpha. To add another title to the list: leader of the Zenith. It had taken centuries, but Kaj had finally proven his worth to his father. Surely that would mean something.

  “Kaj, brother, I need you to take a deep breath.”

  The cold that raced over his skin said a deep breath likely wouldn’t do any good. He was fading quickly, and truth was, he was ready. Not because he wanted to vacate his current life. No, he was content with how things were. Not necessarily happy, no. But he had no complaints. It had been a good life and he’d accomplished much in his five hundred plus years on Earth. Kaj was ready for the—

  Mother.

  Fucker.

  The pain that lanced him took hold of his internal organs and … twisted, yanked, pulled—Holy. Fuck.—then jerked for good measure.

  Good news was, his breath was sawing in and out of his lungs. Probably meant he was still kicking. Maybe.

  Then there was another wrenching tug and the breathing thing…? Not all that important.

  Ohfuckohfuckohfuckoh … fucking … hell!

  He was aware of a piercing sound splitting the air around him. It coincided with the way his body splintered. Fire blazed through him as he was pulled in all directions, his insides churning, blistering as that inferno consumed him from head to toe. It went on for an eternity, then another until Kaj was convinced he had died, but rather than go up, he’d been shot down to Hell, left to rot in the bowels of that fiery shithole.

  “Breathe, Kaj.”

  The shrill noise halted, and he realized—sadly, mind you—he’d been screaming like a little bitch.

  Lovely.

  A soft hand swept over his forehead, once, twice.

  The agony still ripped through him, but it was somehow bearable with her touch.

  “He needs to feed,” a male voice noted.

  Obsidian. Still there. True friend he was. Minus the whole ripping-his-insides-to-shreds thing.

  “I’ll take care of him,” the female replied, that lyrical voice Kaj’s lifeline.

  “When you need to feed,” Obsidian stated, his voice directed elsewhere, “I want you to come find me.” A strong hand pressed gently against Kaj’s shoulder. “And you, my friend, will be good as new in no time. The bullets are removed, all four of them. Now you need to recuperate.”

  Kaj gave a whole-hearted effort at opening his eyes. Not because he cared to see Obsidian leaning over him. No, he was interested in the female. The sweet, angelic female…

  Before he could catch a glimpse of her, the darkness pulled him under.

  Damn good thing vampires healed quickly.

  That was Kaj’s first thought when he came to in a dimly lit bedroom that was decorated in crimson and overlaid with swirly, silver doodads, an odd combination to the eye. Kinda made him nauseous.

  At least the bed he lay on was soft, the comforter warm. The air smelled of cherry blossoms and the lightest hint of sandalwood, the combination going right to his head. A fire crackled in the hearth, warming the room and adding a weird ambience.

  His attention was drawn to the door. It opened on a whisper, closed the same. His ears registered bare feet padding over hardwood, then drifting as they moved onto what he assumed was a rug.

  “Perhaps you’ll wake for morning meal this night,” that sweet cadence relayed, filling the otherwise silent room.

&
nbsp; It was in that moment Kaj finally laid eyes on the female whose voice had lived in his dreams ever since he passed out earlier. She’d remained a fixation in his mind through the hours it took for the torment within his body to subside. Good news was, the pain was gone—mostly—and she was not. So either he was in Heaven or she wasn’t some angel who’d been sent to carry him home.

  Honestly, he hoped for the latter. Lots still to do on this big hunk of rock.

  Kaj kept his lids low so he could watch as she set a tray down on the bedside table. She was startlingly beautiful. Dark brown hair piled high on her head and held there with some sort of colorful stick. The wisps that fluttered down around her face were a delectable contrast to her fair skin.

  As though she sensed him, her head tilted his way and he saw her eyes for the first time. They were a translucent purple, and he was instantly reminded of amethyst stones, only her eyes were far more beautiful than any jewel. Radiantly incandescent. Was that a real thing? Yes, he decided. It was now.

  “Oh, you are awake.” The acknowledgment was communicated softly and without concern.

  Kaj continued to watch her. “Tired of me already?”

  The soft smile that pulled at her exquisite mouth had a strange feeling erupting inside him.

  Her gaze shifted from him to the meal she had produced. “I brought food in the hopes you would wake.” She smiled softly. “In case you were hungry.”

  He gave the tray a half-hearted glance. He couldn’t care less about food at the moment, although, now that she mentioned it, his stomach rumbled in direct conflict with his mind. How many hours had passed since he’d had his evening meal? What time was it?

  Hating that he was flat on his back, Kaj shifted so he could sit, but the female instantly stopped him, placing her small hand on his chest. His naked chest.

  That touch had heat blooming through his entire body.

  “Not yet. You need to feed first.”

  “I just fed,” he said, his voice coming out raspy, as though he hadn’t used it in a while.

  Must’ve been a good nap he’d taken.

  “And when might that’ve been?” she prompted

  Kaj turned his head, trying to find a clock. “Nightfall,” he told her, though he absolutely had no intentions of going into specifics.