Part 31 (2/2)

Instinct kicked in and she did just that. 'No!' she cried out, kicking and struggling against him. It wasn't too hard to do considering the way he held her, his claws sc.r.a.ping along the flesh of her back and hip. She tried to extricate her arms but he'd pinned them at her sides, so she kicked his legs. It was like battling against a giant redwood tree, her attack on him having no effect at all. Nevertheless, she screamed at the top of her lungs.

'Her struggles will arouse you, Derek,' she heard Ben say. 'The more she fights, the better it will be for you.'

What a disgusting animal Ben was. It was hard to believe that man was Derek's father. She leaned into Derek's chest, trying to get close enough to his ear so he'd hear her.

Derek breathed heavily against her, the sound more animalistic than human. She shuddered, realizing the man holding her wasn't really Derek anymore.

She was losing him. Tears slid down her cheeks. This could not happen. She tilted her head back and rested her neck on his forearm, no longer fighting him. 'Look at me, Derek.'

He did, and this time she didn't flinch when she met his gaze. Ignoring the swirling red haze in his eyes, the dripping fangs, the horrible grimace on his face, she remembered laughing and sparring with him, arguing with him, remembered the way he touched her and kissed her.

Dammit, she wanted that Derek back.

'I love you,' she whispered, her heart hurting with the swell of emotion. 'Do you hear me? I love you. Don't let these demons overcome you. You fought them before, you can do it again. Don't leave me.'

He frowned, his thick brows arching together in a point. He looked angry, but not at her. Then he shook his head and growled.

She worked one of her hands free, but instead of fighting him, she ran her palm against his cheek, nearly sobbing at the feel of his beard stubble against her hand. 'I love you.'

Then he shocked the h.e.l.l out of her by bending down and kissing her. Only it wasn't a demon kissing her. It was Derek. Her Derek. The man she loved, kissing her with gentle sweeping motions of his lips against hers.

When he raised his head, everything about him was normal. His face, his eyes, his mouthit was all Derek. Her Derek.

He pulled her upright, then turned to Ben. 'This game is over. You're going to die, a.s.shole.'

Ben's eyes widened. 'This is not possible. You are one of the Sons of Darkness.'

Derek folded his arms. 'Apparently not, old man. In this case, not not like father, like son. I want no part of you or the Sons of Darkness. I am my mother's son. You can all go back to h.e.l.l where you belong.' like father, like son. I want no part of you or the Sons of Darkness. I am my mother's son. You can all go back to h.e.l.l where you belong.'

'I witnessed your transformation.'

'No, you didn't. Derek's transformation happened a very long time ago, Ben. You weren't there to witness it. I was.'

Derek whirled at the sound of Lou's voice, shocked to see all the hunters poised, guns drawn, at the entrance to the room.

His spirits soared as they surrounded the demons. The demons backed away, growling, rus.h.i.+ng to surround Ben.

Dalton sidled up next to Derek and Gina, handing off weapons and shades. Derek took them, feeling much better now that he was armed and with his hunters again.

His brothers.

His family.

'Ah,' Ben said. 'Louis. Welcome to my domain. How nice to see one of the Keepers of the Realm of Light again. It has been a very long time.'

'Again?' Derek turned to Lou. 'What does he mean, again?'

'You never told him, did you, Louis?'

'No, I didn't,' Lou said, his gaze narrowed. 'He didn't need to know what you'd done.'

'Sins of the father are always wonderful burdens to carry, though.'

Okay, what the h.e.l.l was going on? Derek looked to Lou and then to Ben. The tension rocketed between them, a powerful force building in the room.

'It wasn't his responsibility, Ben,' Lou said. 'It was yours. The boy shouldn't suffer for your sins.'

'Always the protector, aren't you?' Ben said, shaking his head before turning to Derek. 'Louis never told you about the night I visited his home in Scotland. The night I took care of his lovely Anna, and sweet little Henry and Edward.'

Derek's gaze shot to Lou and saw the truth in Lou's eyes. He felt sucker-punched. 'Why didn't you tell me? You knew, didn't you? You knew who my father was all along.'

Lou sighed. 'Yes. I knew. But I hoped you would never have to know.'

'Why?'

'Because it didn't matter. I knew you had power beyond that of a human. I watched you. From the time you were a boy the Realm has kept its eye on you. But I never once thought you would turn out like your father. You have your mother's strength within you, Derek. You proved that just now.'

What the h.e.l.l was he supposed to think? How was he supposed to react to this bombsh.e.l.l? His father had killed Lou's wife and children. Lou had known what he was all along, and yet had treated him like his own son for years, had taught him, sheltered him, trusted him. He'd brought Derek into the Realm of Light, knowing he carried demon blood.

Lou had been more of a father than Ben had ever been.

And Ben had wreaked more havoc in their lives than could ever be punished.

But he would be punished.

'I'm sorry, Lou,' Derek said, his voice low. He'd never felt such pain before, such anguish.

'It's long ago. And it wasn't your fault. Don't take the blame for this, Derek,' Lou said, pointing his weapon at Ben.

'No, I know exactly who to blame,' Derek said as he looked to Ben.

The demons took a step forward, their growls menacing. They tightened their formation around Ben.

The coward.

'Spread out,' Derek ordered, readying his laser. 'Cover the exits.' No f.u.c.king way was this a.s.shole going to escape.

The lights faded and darkness descended. Derek slipped on his gla.s.ses, clarifying the room. The demons started toward them, but Derek knew who he wanted.

His father was going to die.

Derek was going to kill him.

Gina flipped her shades on, grateful to once again have a weapon in her hand. She didn't play helpless very well, which was why she didn't take those roles in her films. On top and kicking a.s.s suited her much better, and there were demons in the way of her ultimate target right now.

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