Hearts Eclipsed: A Beautiful Nightmare Companion Novel Read online

  “Ah! So I see you’ve warmed up to the bride? I’m glad since tomorrow is the big day.”

  “And I see my tough demeanor fooled you as much as it did the blushing bride. I only did it to ensure she had what it took to stand side by side with an Alpha. Besides, you are no mere Alpha wolf. You are a Prime Alpha marked with lordship. There’s no room for a wimpy mate.”

  “So I take it she passed?”

  “Well, she was raised by a Peyroux, so I hardly doubted her dexterity. There were never any weaklings in Elias’ bloodline. Despite your brother’s coaxing, I was impressed to see a glimpse of her Altrinion nature arise at the sight of Kyra. You’ve told me of her innate ability to master nature, but today I saw in her the capacity to do much more.”

  “Now I’m curious. What did you see?”

  “Not only did the sky darken at her dismay, but I saw fire rising from her skin and burrowing flames encased in her eyes. She was quite a sight.”

  “Now I’m worried. Did anyone else see it?”

  “No, I kept my eyes on the crowd, they were too busy eating and taking selfies. Even Delia was in awe of her niece’s transformation. I doubt she’s ever seen Damina so—”

  “Herself.” Suddenly, it hits me. I knew seeing Kyra upset Damina, but she must have felt threatened by her. “Delia has spent years cloaking that part of her. The only time Damina has come close to such a transformation was on her birthday.”

  “Ah yes, when you purchased the red car.”

  “Yes and that was the day my suspicions were confirmed. But now that you tell me, I’m troubled as to why Kyra’s presence set Damina off so bad. With both Delia and I cloaking Damina her nature should have been dormant. I mean since her birthday she’s barely done more than clip the weather from time to time. How could she go from zero to a hundred so effortlessly?”

  “Ha! Ha!”

  “How is this funny, Sophie?”

  “My dear Jackie, one day you will assume your place as the Prime Alpha of the highest court in all the world, but today you are still as daft as any man.”

  “Excuse me? I suppose since you’re laughing there’s a point to your humor.”

  “I’m sorry my dear nephew. I don’t mean to poke fun. But I thought it was obvious.”

  “What?”

  “Damina loves you.”

  “Huh? Well, of course, I know that.”

  “Jackson, it’s no mere infatuation for your bride. She loves you with her entire being. And today, Kyra was a threat to that love. I suspect she would go to the ends of the earth—to whatever end if anything or anyone were to come against that love. My dear nephew, there is no woman worth her salt that wouldn’t protect what was most precious to her. So it is clear to me why not even the cloaking of an alpha or Alpha Prime could keep her defenses at bay. She loves you.”

  While it’s no shock that Damina loves me, for the first time the enormity of her love for me is overwhelming. I love her with every ounce of my being, so I know what it means to love someone so deeply. The difference: I know who and what she is. It pains me to know she cannot say the same.

  Our wedding night can’t come fast enough.

  “Are you okay, Jackson?” Sophie asks as she squeezes my shoulder trying to regain my attention.

  “I’m sorry Sophie. It’s just hard knowing how much she loves me without truly knowing me, is all.”

  “I know, dear. Soon she will know everything, and she will know you for who you truly are. And with the love you two share, you will be able to conquer anything.”

  “That’s just it. Will we? Can we truly conquer anything? How do I know she will forgive me for keeping the truth of not only her lineage but my own a secret for all these years? She may never look at me the same! You saw it today, Sophie. Her nature buckling at the bit, trying to force its way out. Damina has always told me that no matter how hard she tries to be refined and settled; she still feels chaotic. And I’m the author of it all!”

  “Stop it, Jackson!” Sophie commands interrupting my rant. “Get yourself together, my dear. You are not weak. And neither is she. True love will always cover a multitude of transgressions. And what you have is love in its truest form. Not only that, you will have the orb from her father. Once the orb manifests itself in her Altrinion nature, her frenzy will settle, and she will understand her true purpose. Besides, there is no one, whether supernatural or mortal who can do what you can.”

  “What Sophie? What can I do?”

  “You, Jackson, are the only person in this world with the power to bring order to her chaos.”

  Dalcour

  Braelyn’s words still ring through me as I lay on my bed staring up at the ceiling bouncing my leather hacky sack back and forth. She’s right I need to talk to Jerrica and at least hear her out. Jerrica has never stirred me wrong in the span of our more than one-hundred-year friendship. Even though she came into my life on what was likely my most violent period to date, she’s been a reliable and honorable friend and ally.

  Thankfully and with the friendships of she and Braelyn, I’ll never be that man again. Ever.

  Beyond my brother’s continual need to control me with this wrenching challenge, it’s the thought that I could become that man again. Violent. Bloodthirsty. Above all—I would be alone again. Gone would be the comfort of the Civility Center, rallies for donations with the nobles, or even these little pet projects like the mansion revitalization that Jerrica is known for. No, it would all be gone. I know if I fail to meet my deadline, Decaux would unleash his secret herd of Scourge, more importantly, a bloody reckoning would arise—one so strong even I wouldn’t be impervious to its lure.

  I jump up from the bed at the thought of Decaux releasing the Scourge upon this world. Chills race up my spine because I know neither me nor even the most disciplined vampire could resist the blood flowing freely through the streets. Bloodlust would surely steer us in its path and the outcome for humans would be catastrophic.

  “D, come quick!” Braelyn shouts as she blows through my door in an instant, yanking my arm all while forcing me to shove my wandering thoughts aside.

  “Braelyn, slow down! What’s wrong?”

  “Scourge attack. Come now!” Braelyn tugs my arm with all her might, enough to pull me to the doorpost. I look back at my terrace door and see only a slither of sunlight remains, piercing beneath the curtains. This is strange. The sun hasn’t even set and there’s a Scourge attack? Things are getting bad already.

  We race through the hall and are down in the foyer in an instant.

  “Dalcour, stop him!” I hear Jerrica bellow, with a tear-stained face as she points to Brian. I’m more concerned to see Lux and Cedric guarding the door, pushing Brian back blocking his exit.

  “Let me out now!” Brian growls forcing himself between them.

  “What’s going on!” I demand, pitching my voice an octave lower so that it reverberates through the room, muffling the sound of both their snarls and growls.

  “The Scourge, Dalcour, they attacked at the borders of the Tremé,” Jerrica responds through her sobs as Braelyn maintains a hold at her waist.

  “Let me out!” Brian barks once more, this time with enough force to push Cedric aside but Lux remains steady.

  “Fine, I’ll have Titan send the Guard to the Tremé right away. I’m sure he’s already on it.”

  “You don’t understand, D, Titan was the one who told Lux and Cedric,” Braelyn answers, gently approaching me. My attention is squarely on Brian’s rage. I know the full moon is in a few days and wolves are bound to get testy, but his aggression is atypical for his normal stoic posture.

  “Then why is Brian trying to tear my house down?” I snap, my gaze still set on Brian as he leans hard into Lux with all his brute force.

  Turning quickly on his heels, Brian aims his attention for me, eyes glowing bright with a deep grow
l that burrows through his chest. I do not back away. He and I have never been much for pleasantries, but something is different. As I stare into the bright hue arising from his eyes, I notice what I didn’t expect to find. Tears.

  Grabbing his shoulders, I hold him tight at arms-length. Cedric and Lux come to my aid and hold his arms behind him as he locks his body stiff, muffling his growls through his canines.

  “Dalcour, it’s his home. His people. Salvadorè Abahana,” Jerrica speaks slowly in between Brian’s grisly sounds.

  Then it hits me. Salvadorè. The man who raised him. Orphaned by the death of his parents when he was only a pup, Brian never knew his true family. He had no family. That is until Salvadorè found him the morning after a full moon. Salvadorè, one of the oldest pure Altrinions I know, was a close friend of Jerrica’s father. He cared for Brian as if he were his own. But that’s what Salvadorè did best, caring for people.

  “Brian, I am so sorry,” I begin, softening my tone. “What would you have me do?”

  “Let. Me. Go.” Brian seethes through his teeth.

  “Cedric. Lux. Let him go. Let him be,” I say as I watch small drips of water leak from his narrowed eyes. Immediately, both men let go of their hold as Brian shakes them loose. He snarls one last time, bows at me, thankful for his release and races out of the mansion.

  “Hey, D! You’re not going to let him go alone are you? He could get himself killed out there!” Braelyn quips.

  “No, but there was no need to restrain him. Cedric, get my car now.”

  “Dalcour, please hurry. Brian is in no condition to go after the Scourge alone. If Titan had to call for the Guard it must be a great number,” Jerrica says in a grim tone with a bleak expression to match.

  “I know that’s what worries me too. Don’t worry dear friend, I’ll bring back your furball,” I answer in a gentle tone, wiping Jerrica’s tears before nudging her jaw. Seeing her in pain is both unsettling and out of the norm for her.

  Cedric beeps the horn of my Audi and Lux and I dash out the door, jumping into the car in a blink. I look back and see Jerrica and Braelyn standing at the door with Ms. Zamora, Jerrica’s servant now at her side.

  No one knows the back roads of New Orleans like Cedric and thankfully his skills get us to Salvadorè’s home in no time. As we jump out of the car, the smell of freshly spilled blood fills my nostrils before I even see it, making me work hard to resist my bloodlust.

  This attack was bigger than I thought.

  Bodies, mostly human and Altrinion from what I can tell, lay in the courtyard. Most are torn apart and drained of blood. It’s probably the most sickening sight I’ve ever seen. As if seeing children among the dead wasn’t disgusting enough, the sight of a woman with her abdomen ripped open sends burning bile to my throat. I’ve done a lot of villainous things before, but this is sadistic. Evil at its core.

  “Look what the vermin have done!” Lux says pointing to a small sac of fluid next to the woman’s outstretched hands.

  “Is there nothing sacred?” Cedric exclaims covering his nose and turning away with disgust.

  “Wait a minute,” I begin.

  “What is it, Lord Marchand?”

  “Shh—did you hear that?”

  “A baby,” Cedric says in a questioning tone as our eyes search the cobblestone yard for the child.

  The cries of the infant grow louder, and we race inside the doorway where the sounds are loudest. Cedric slips on a pool of blood at the entrance, crashing into a vase and a small Scourge turns toward us and lets out a hideous hiss. Strange, however, it doesn’t approach us, and I notice its legs are torn from its body. Still, it continues its screeching cry.

  Once more, the baby cries but it’s nowhere in sight. Lux, Cedric, and I search the area where we stand, looking for the baby, yet watchful of an attack. While we’ve only seen one Scourge, we must remain vigilant. They never hunt alone. The baby makes one last cry and suddenly its sound fades. Thoughts of a Scourge with its clammy claws on the child send my thoughts into a frenzy.

  “Search everywhere. Kill any vile thing that approaches. Whatever you do, find that child!” I order and Lux and Cedric spring into action.

  The disheveled Scourge before us shrieks again and stretches toward Lux, wrapping its hand around his ankle.

  “Kill it!” I shout.

  Cedric pulls his katana blade from its holster as Lux turns away, readying himself to sever the creature’s head from his body. Just as he whips the blade in the air, Brian’s large foot slams into the creature’s skull, smashing it dead to the ground.

  A proud smile crosses my face at Brian’s feat, and he smiles in return. But before I can congratulate him, a small gurgling coo comes from behind Brian’s blazer. We all sigh relief when he opens his jacket, revealing the small infant wiggling alive and well in his arms.

  If vitality remained in my doomed and damned heart, I’m most certain it would leap for joy.

  Chapter 4

  Jackson

  “Good grief Jack-o! How much did you have to drink?” Gregory laughs as he slaps my back hard. “Looks like you and Tye got the party started without us.”

  As much as I’d like to rebuke Gregory for irritating me, I can’t form a response. I’m not sure if it’s the mugginess of the evening or this hooch Tye gave me, I’m wrung. I know better than to drink without food. Yet, with Sophie ordering Tye to give me a proper last night out and demanding I stop my sulking, I took my first gulp just to satisfy her. While Tye claimed the tonic in the jar was from his grandfather’s stash, the way it burned like acid in my throat makes me think otherwise—probably something he found from the street vendor by the boardwalk near his home.

  My throat feels raw too, making every word I speak almost intolerable. Still, this is my last night as a “free man.” I should be able to cut loose at least a little.

  “Give the man a break, Gregory!” Shawn answers in my defense.

  “Aww, he knows I’m just giving him a hard way to go, right Jack-o?” Gregory responds with another backslap. “Besides, seems like they’re wrapping up with practice anyway. We should get going and head to the pub. Gotta get some wings, potato skins, and nachos in this man stat! There’ll be nothing but veggies and wholesome homecooked meals after tomorrow.” Gregory adds as the others join in the laughter.

  “I’m sorry, he’s right Jackson. Damina’s family are very healthy eaters from what I remember. So you better get used to eating a lot of leafy greens and all other sorts of rabbit food!” Brandon teases and grabs my bottle from me. “So I’ll take this from you, for now.”

  “Nope, I’m afraid I can’t let you have that!” Tye barks, snatching the bottle from Brandon.

  “C’mon man! This is supposed to be a party! Share a little with a brother!” Brandon replies, sounding as if he’s already had one too many.

  “This is special and for the Groom-to-be only. But no worries, I got you guys covered!” Tye answers, pulling out several small bottles of Smirnoff and Jim Beam from his jacket pocket. The guys all cheer, patting Tye on the shoulder, appreciative for supplying more booze.

  “You know what—” I begin, my voice still scratchy but just loud enough to preempt their celebration. I grab onto the fencing and look up to the lights and try to get my bearings. As I gaze back at the guys, there now seems to be two of each of them. My balance shifts and I tilt over the fence to vomit.

  “Eww gross!” Shawn shouts.

  “Alright guys, we gotta get something in this guy before he does it again,” Gregory says, coming to my aid.

  “No worries, I got him,” Tye says quickly pulling me from Gregory’s arm.

  “Hey! Listen up! I got myself! I am not weak. I am a grown man and the Prime Alpha—your alpha! Am I not?” My words are a bit sluggish, but I shout them out, shaking loose from Tye’s grasp. Though their images are blurry, I see each
of them stare at me, their faces filled with awe. “Good, I thought so,” I finish and turn to walk away.

  Before I know it the smell of freshly cut grass tickles my nose as I find my face planted in the ground just an inch from the curb.

  “Geez Jack-o, now Damina’s gonna kill me if you show up to your wedding tomorrow all tattered and bruised. You barely missed the pavement. Now come on and get up,” Gregory says as he and Shawn lift me to my feet. “Tye, dude, what did you put in that hooch?”

  “Nothing. Just a little extra fermented is all. It’s been on grand’s shelf for a minute,” Tye quickly responds, his hands twitching as he holds the bottle close to his hip.

  “Yeah, whatever just help us get him in the truck,” Shawn snaps.

  “No, it’s okay. I got him. He can ride with me,” Tye answers, pulling me from Shawn and Gregory’s hold.

  “Dude, there’s more room in the truck!” Gregory protests.

  “Please, stop fussing over me like I’m a frigging child!” I slobber and shout as I shake loose from their tight grip. “I’ll ride with Tye. Gregory, you and the guys get our tables ready and order me some wings or something. I need to go home for a bit and change anyway,” I add as I wipe my grass-stained knees.

  “Alright, looks like we have our orders fellas,” Gregory says in a more cheerful tone than his scowl suggests as he eyes me with concern. He quickly looks over his shoulder and gives a haughty grin to the guys, assuring them all is well before giving Tye a stern nod. Tye nods in reply, moving immediately to my side to seat me in his car. “Jack-o, I’ll text you two the details and see you soon!” Gregory adds as he walks toward his truck.

  “Sounds good. We’ll see you in a bit,” I reply leaning my head out the window for air as Tye speeds off.

  While I’m thankful Tye is driving with a sense of urgency, I wish he’d slow down. My head is still spinning from gorging in more alcohol than normal. I’m not sure how long his grand’s hooch has been fermenting, but it’s quite potent. As much as I’d like to scold him for his head-whipping driving skills, I don’t have the energy. I’m wasted.