Dark Sonata Page 27

  Completely embarrassed by her reaction she whispered, praying she was right. “Michael?”

  He stared back at her for what seemed like an eternity.

  Say something.

  Victoria took a shaky breath, fearing that he didn’t know her like he predicted. “You do not know who I am then?”

  This was the same man she had seen outside, who appeared like he knew her.

  His gaze lowered and slid over her body like melted honey, pausing at the swell of her breasts. His heavy-lidded gaze met hers and she wanted to squirm, or to pant like a cat in heat. Merciful heavens, what was wrong with her?!

  She gritted her teeth, furious with herself. How terrible of her for thinking these thoughts about Michael of all people. Her brain must be fried. “Say something,” she barely mouthed. Why was he was looking at her like that? Victoria looked away, not wanting to define what he was making her feel. She needed a drink.

  “Yes.”

  Victoria looked back at him and exhaled. “Yes?”

  “I am Michael,” he said in a commanding tone, his voice smooth and strong. “Who are you?”

  She frowned and looked around. “You don’t know why I jumped then? Just brilliant.”

  He tilted his head at her, those full lips of his forming a slow smile. “I know you have jumped, yes, but not why. I felt it immediately, and I’m afraid so did everyone else. This has not been done in hundreds of years.”

  “But … you know nothing else?” Victoria asked feeling panicked. “You said you would know,” she harshly whispered. This is not good.

  “Well,” he smiled without it reaching his glorious eyes, “that might have been wishful thinking. Enlighten me.” He moved closer to her, too close.

  Good Lord he smelt good.

  Stop it.

  Ezra could be watching this exchange and seeing her react to Michael like a silly school girl. She prayed not, feeling so ashamed. “I came back for Ezra,” she whispered, trying to jog his memory. “I love him. I came back to save his life, hoping this time around he would not die by my hand.”

  His eyes widened briefly.

  She blushed. “It probably sounds silly to you, but believe it or not you encouraged this. You also wanted me to go back. We both have to save him, to alter the future.”

  “Did I encourage this?” he whispered in a tone that made her fingers tingle again. She wanted to ask him politely to stop doing that. This situation was serious and all she could think about was how his gaze seemed to assess her too closely.

  “You did.” She glanced around and bit her lip, praying Ezra was not here yet. “Is Ezra here?”

  Michael didn’t say anything. He just continued to just stare at her, as if trying to read something foreign written on her face. Maybe he thought she was lying? Why would she lie?! He crossed his arms over his chest making her eyes instantly go there. Michael’s gray crisp coat was stretched tightly over his broad shoulders and the white of his pressed shirt would make any girl need a fan. The man had long muscular legs like someone accustomed to physical work. Or possibly bedroom activities. Right. She blushed and inwardly started laughing hysterically.

  He was the complete opposite of Ezra.

  “Michael, can you tell me if he is here or not? I need to see him,” she asked meekly.

  “He is not here.”

  She looked him, fear seeping into every pore of her body. “No?”

  “No.”

  He sounded almost angry. Victoria glanced up at him and narrowed her eyes to slits, not liking his one word answer. “I need to see him. Will you take me to him? This is why I came back; I need to talk to him.”

  His intense gaze lowered to hers then looked around as he took a large breath. “Well, that bastard might show up tonight but I’m not about to hand you over to him. I have my men surrounding the area. We need you put in protection.”

  She huffed at his poor use of language. “I beg your pardon? Please do not refer to Ezra as a bastard.”

  Well, he was one, but still.

  He leaned into her, his warm breath against her ear. “You love him?” he asked very quietly but his eyes could cut through steel as they bore into hers. A slow shiver traced its way down her back, finding it hard to think with him staring at her like that. Michael continued, “You expect me to believe that you came back from the future to save that pathetic life and I condoned this?”

  Victoria felt offended, and a little scared. His harsh tone terrified her; he would not be a man she would want to cross. “Of course.” Why was he being this rude to her? She thought Michael would be more understanding than this. “He wants to be saved Michael, he is not bad,” she hissed, feeling her anger rise. “Ezra is just misunderstood.”

  “Mis … understood?” Michael looked like she punched him in the gut. His sapphire gaze searched her face like he was waiting for her to say she was only jesting. “He … wants to be saved? And you know this? From the future I gather?”

  “Yes.” She held her chin high. “He’s perfect and I love him.”

  Anger flashed over his features and his lips actually rose into a snarl. He grabbed her upper arm and dragged her to the side of the ballroom, pushing past clusters of people. It happened so fast. Throwing her up against the back wall he leaned into her ear and whispered harshly. “Who the hell are you?”

  She jerked her arm out of his grasp, not liking him manhandling her in front of everybody. “What do you mean? You’re acting very weird.” she whispered.

  “I will say this slower.” He gritted his teeth as his eyes focused on her choker. “What. Are. You.”

  She found it odd that he didn’t know this by now. “The Destroyer.”

  His jaw flexed as he stared at her and she could tell he sucked in his breath. “Impossible.”

  “No, no apparently not.”

  He looked around then back to her; a sheen of sweat dotted his forehead. “The Destroyer you say? And how the hell is that possible? Surely I explained this to you in the future. And, after you have done explaining that tell me how you still have your memory.”

  Victoria sighed. “It’s a lot of information. Honestly, I really thought you would have known something about me,” she paused then continued when he glared at her. “Can we go somewhere private so I may fill you in? We need to hurry because I need to be here when Ezra arrives.”

  He laughed. He actually laughed.

  “Sure, I know a place,” he said softly, dragging her once more through the throng of people. She was thankful the lights were dim so it didn’t draw too much suspicion.

  Victoria let him pull her this way and that way until they came to the library, throwing her inside making her gasp as she hit the sofa. She heard the lock of the door and whipped around to stare at him. Her heart was hammering its way out of her chest. She felt like a cornered animal, being faced with the hungry lion.

  Michael grinned at her causing her pulse to double its already pounding tempo. He shrugged off his overcoat and unbuttoned his white shirt and exhaled, the only sound breaking up this strained silence.

  She tried not to watch him open his collared shirt. Really.

  “Explain.”

  She tried to calm her trembling hand by tucking it behind her. Being alone with him made her nervous and she didn’t know why. “You may want to take a seat.” He looked too imposing standing.

  “I’ll stand,” he said levelly and crossed his arms over his chest.

  Damn.

  Victoria took a calming breath and told him everything, watching his severe expression as she explained the impossible tale. She left out some details of her and Ezra thinking it was none of his business. She couldn’t tell if he believed her or not for his expression was unreadable.

  After what seemed like forever he moved, shifting his weight as a sleeping tiger would. “So you expect me to believe that the only reason you came back was for Ezra? The Demon?”

  Victoria looked away and nodded.

  “And he returned you
r love? Ezra, the Demon in line for the Throne of the Damned?”

  Victoria felt her eyes cramp with tears. She knew he loved her from the bottom of her heart. “Yes,” she whispered.

  “And you killed him in the future because he tasted your blood?” Michael asked with a voice firm. “Because you are the Destroyer.”

  “Yes. Like I said, this is destiny. I was supposed to come back, to the very beginning of everything. You said so yourself or you would have never let me come here,” she argued, hoping he would now see.

  “I would not have let you come back for that bastard. A demon cannot love, you are mistaken,” he whispered darkly.

  She shot him the look of death and gritted her teeth. “You did, and he did love me.”

  He ignored her and asked, “This choker you wear prevents you from using your power then?” he nodded in her direction.

  “Yes.”

  “Interesting.”

  Victoria did not like the way he was looking at her, so calculating. “What?”

  “I don’t believe your story.”

  She wanted to slap him! “Why would I lie to you?” she asked as a frustrated tear streamed down her face.

  He smiled at her, almost like he was pitying her. “I don’t believe you do it on purpose. You may not be lying but someone lied to you. You jumped through time, your memory washed away. And you’re going to believe this story you read? What if it was all made up?”

  “Who would make it up? For what purpose?!” she shrieked feeling like she was losing her mind. “I just need to see Ezra.”

  “Because you love him, right?”

  Victoria gave him a withering look.

  “I don’t think you do,” he barely said as he walked towards her.

  “Don’t act like you know me,” she hissed, backing up. How dare he say that!

  His eyes lowered to her dress and gave her a smoldering look that made her pulse leap. “Your dress is breathtaking.”

  Victoria looked at him warily, not sure what he was trying to do. He stopped right in front her and she found that she was holding her breath. He tilted his head and exhaled, “I can see why Ezra would have lusted after you. If, that is, that part about him loving you back was true.”

  “Of course it’s true,” she whispered.

  “Is it?”

  Victoria wanted to leave and find Ezra, she was sick of Michael’s games. “You forgot to tell me what a shithead you used to be.”

  He chuckled. “A … shithead? Me?”

  “Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” She narrowed her eyes and raised her chin. “Are you going to help me find him or not? Because if not I’m leaving.”

  Michael took a step closer. “I will help you if you grant me one request.”

  She couldn’t back up anymore, the sofa being at the back of her legs. “And what would that be?”

  “To prove your love for Ezra.”

  Victoria stared at him, not sure where he was going with this.

  “I’m going to kiss you,” he continued as his hand found her waist, “so you can prove to me that you only feel for Ezra, and then I will believe you.”

  Her body started to tingle and her cheeks felt on fire. “No,” she breathed. She was scared to death of him kissing her, scared of her betraying body. “That is ridiculous.”

  “Is it?” he said softly and pulled her closer.

  “Yes!” She felt faint as his hand moved, caressing too low on her hips. Victoria ordered her body to stand stiff, cold as a dead fish, unresponsive. She closed her eyes and tried to picture Ezra, not this arrogant man in front her. You love Ezra … you love Ezra …

  She felt his breathy laugh on her neck causing her to tense even more. Biting her tongue was her only defense to distract herself from him. Her body was like a house of cards, ready to come crashing down if one more was added. She felt unbalanced, even her equilibrium seemed off. A slow shiver moved down her body as she felt his other hand pushing, pressing her firmly to him.

  “I can make you hot with one look,” he breathed into her neck as his lips found her jaw. The way his mouth moved over her skin was enough to give her hot flashes for a year.

  “Stop!”

  She felt his tongue swirl over her and her resolve started to break. How could he have this power over her? He was right, one look from him and she wanted to rip his clothes off. How horrible. She was a traitor.

  Mercy, she did not deserve Ezra.

  “I said stop this,” she hissed, tears threatening to stream down her face.

  Victoria gasped and tried to pull away but it was like pushing against a stone wall. And, her attempt at pushing him away was a fatal mistake. Once her hands found his hard muscled chest her house of cards came crashing down. He was so powerful, so strong …

  “Stop fighting it, love,” he rasped, his mouth becoming more aggressive as he sucked her neck. “You really should have worn a different dress.”

  Why is he saying these things?!

  Michael’s hands found her breasts through her dress causing her moan, unable to help it. Victoria hated herself because she couldn’t help it, completely helpless to his assault. He molded her breasts to his hands as he forced his knee in between her legs. “Moan for me,” he whispered against her lips, his hot breath burning her.

  He pushed his knee up in between her legs, finding her center, and everything shattered. Her head fell back and she gave up trying. His body consumed her. His mouth took hers and she didn’t think she was going to make it out alive. She kissed him back. God, she couldn’t help it. She was silently crying, cursing herself for her betrayal. As their tongues combated, her mind was gone. The only thing she felt now was this consuming fire she was caught up in. Michael took over the kiss, raising it to dangerous heights, stealing her breath away. Her arms went around his neck pulling him closer, intensifying the moment. She felt him smile against her lips and began kissing a line of fire down her neck to the swell of her breasts.

  He paused suddenly and lifted his head, as if he was in deep thought.

  The only sound was their rushed breaths. Victoria lifted her head and frowned, wondering why he stopped this madness.

  “They broke my barrier,” he said sounding out of breath.

  “What?” she breathed. “Who did? Ezra?”

  Guilt crashed down on her as she thought of him. What had she done? Michael stood backing away from her to stand by the window. He cursed as he gazed out. “That son of a bitch.”

  “Who?” she asked in fearing he would say Ezra. “Talk to me.”

  Michael grabbed a plum handkerchief from out of his pocket making Victoria frown. She wouldn’t have guessed someone like him to carry that shade of purple. She watched as he wiped the red from her lipstick off his lips.

  “Michael?” she said, starting to become panicked. “Who is coming?”

  He turned towards her and sighed. “Michael.”

  Chapter nineteen

  Oh dear.

  Yes, she had heard him correctly.

  Victoria placed a hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp that rushed up her throat. Her heart was pounding with indecision, wondering what world of hurt she was in for. She should have known he was not Michael, a complete idiot she was.

  “Who are you?” she asked, backing up.

  He turned towards her and bowed in her direction, his blond hair falling forward. “Why, I’m your true love,” he said mockingly, sending chills down her spine. How dare he mock her this way, making her out to be a fool. The man snapped his fingers and his once pale hair was now jet black, so black in fact it shined blue. Victoria's hand went over her mouth in shock. His radiant golden skin was now a shocking ivory, the finest porcelain. He gazed at her, his stare a swirling silver fringed with long ashen lashes that gave the appearance of glowing eyes. Victoria sucked in her breath and felt the blood drain from her face. His gray evening attire was now a black suit with a purple and red striped waistcoat. In his left hand he twirled a silver violin, gaz
ing at her speculatively. It was him.

  “Ezra,” she whispered, taken aback.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Ah yes, as if you didn’t know.”

  She shook her head, not believing that she was infatuated with Ezra all this time. No wonder she felt such a strong attachment to him, thank the heavens. Now seeing him like this made her feel faint, dizzy. “I didn’t,” she continued in a small voice, “I had no memory, how could I? I only had descriptions.”

  It was like seeing a fantasy come to life before her eyes.

  “So,” he clasped his hands behind his back. “I’m supposed to believe that you love me?” he questioned with a smile and tilted his head, his shaggy length hair falling to the side.

  Victoria lost her nerve and felt her face heat. It was easy telling him she loved Ezra when she thought he was Michael, but now … not when he was staring at her like he was. Glancing behind her she realized that there was nowhere to run. She would be an idiot not to be scared of him for he was exuding this very negative energy. So dark. The room had dropped in temperature because now she was able to see her breath. This could turn out very different from the first time around. Didn’t they say the third time’s a charm? She prayed not.

  “You’re scared of me? The one you love?” he asked with a frown, stopping in front of her. Victoria took a steady breath and squared her shoulders, hoping she wouldn’t be so transparent. His theatrics were not as amusing to her as it was to him.

  His silver gaze lowered and slid over her body, being quite deliberate about it. Victoria would admit, this gown of glittering ruby left little to the imagination and it appeared to be doing its job. Ezra’s eyes then rose to hers and she felt her face instantly flush, the heat was shameful and incredibly bold. Victoria swallowed, knowing that this man was incredibly unpredictable. He could lure a woman into a fiery river with just the sound of his voice, hypnotizing her.