Dark Sonata Read online

  She needed some fresh air. Or maybe she needed to loosen her corset strings.

  He smiled and leaned into her, blowing on her flushed skin ever so softly, startling her. Her skin tingled in response, knowing now why she had fallen for him before. It was impossible not be drawn to him. She had to look away. “Ezra,” she breathed, trying to ignore what he was trying to do. “I came back to stop this madness. Whatever Michael saw, whatever his reasoning for sending me back must have been dire. He only wants to help you.” She risked a glance at him.

  He was studying her with a masked expression. “You don’t say,” he whispered, sounding very unconvinced.

  She continued, trying not to squirm. “I believe something very bad was going to happen in the future and that’s why Michael sent me back.” For some reason it was very important he believed her. She didn’t like the fact that he thought her gullible.

  Ezra’s gaze flickered, like a sharp blade reflecting a crackling fire. “I see,” he barely said. “I’m sure Michael has my best interest at heart.”

  Victoria noted his sarcasm.

  “Are you familiar with the term 'deception’?” he asked in a soft but hard voice, his pale gaze eyeing her.

  “Yes, I still have my brain,” she responded, a little annoyed. Victoria shifted, not knowing what he was trying to get at, and she didn’t care for his tone. Did he think her naïve? Ignorant? “Are you trying to say I have been deceived?”

  “I knew you were smarter than you looked,” he murmured.

  She should slap him.

  He grinned slightly as if he enjoyed to ruffle her feathers.

  Victoria rolled her eyes and expelled an annoyed breath, aware of him now standing closer. “Please, if you trying to say that I am delusional you are wrong. I know what I have read is the truth. It something I just … know.”

  He looked down then back up to her. “So in this story,” he tilted his head, “what did I do to make you love me? What act of bravery did I accomplish?”

  Victoria felt her skin start to tingle. “Would you like to read it?”

  He clicked his tongue at her, backing her up closer to the wall. “Absolutely not. I want to know what you think,” he paused, “so tell me.”

  His eerie gaze bore into hers, as if he was truly curious. She was a little taken aback, not sure what to say. She hadn’t been prepared to answer such a question. Victoria swallowed. Her voice would not work as she desperately tried to think of the perfect answer. Her heart was pounding, the fast beat echoing in her head jumbling her thoughts.

  He grabbed her chin, raising it to meet his hard stare. “Come on, tell me why you’re certain you love me. I should hate to think that you would believe anything just because it said so in this,” he waved his gloved hand in the air, “novel, book, story, whatever you’re calling it. You claim that you have come back for me, that you love me. My dear that is a pretty substantial claim. You better have something credible to back it up or you’re in for a world of hurt.”

  Her skin seemed to burn where he touched it.

  “Why do you love me?” he said more forcefully.

  “I,” she stammered and closed her eyes, feeling them tear up and willing them away. She opened them to take in his handsome face as his gaze searched hers. He looked inpatient, or maybe it was desperation she saw there. Why do you love me? Ezra deserved to know, he was right. Victoria could not think for she didn’t know how to describe what she felt. “I … am not certain why I love you,” she admitted.

  Moron.

  Something flashed over his features and she instantly regretted her answer. She couldn’t believe it but she could have sworn she saw disappointment there. It was almost like for a moment he wanted to believe her. She quickly continued, “I am not certain why I love you but I just do. It is something I cannot explain, for I am unable to describe it. Surely you feel it to? The strong connection between us. I saw something inside of you that goes against normality. I saw … beauty.”

  His jaw flexed and he looked away. “What you have said is not credible, especially coming from a woman who could be so easily manipulated.”

  “You’re wrong,” she whispered, feeling like she lost him and started to panic. He turned and walked away from her, grabbing his violin angrily. “What do you want me to say that will make you believe me? The truth I gather? In another time I did fall in love with you because of what I saw inside of you. You do not behave like someone without a soul, you wanted to be saved. You are misunderstood and I saw that in you,” she blurted desperately.

  Ezra didn’t turn to face her. “Is that what you think I want to hear?” He turned to glare at her.

  “I don’t know what you want to hear,” she said quickly, walking towards him, aware of his swift mood change. “I know everything about you. And I know you think Michael is the enemy but he is not. He was the one who saved your life when you were just a little boy, accused of murdering your mother. If he hated you so much then why save you as a child? It does not make sense.”

  Ezra looked like he was out of breath as he frowned at her. “What did you just say?” his tone gave her pause.

  She stopped walking towards him. “Like I said, I know a lot about you, so this book must be correct. I’m just trying to prove a point.”

  “Do not pretend to know me.” His whisper was deadly, and she felt suddenly nervous that she had crossed into dangerous waters.

  Victoria swallowed and chose her words carefully. “Your mother’s life was taken by your father, not you. But you were wrongfully charged and Michael saw that and saved an innocent child. There are many things I know about you from my writings.”

  He was actually glaring at her.

  If looks could kill ...

  She shifted uncomfortably. “Whatever you’re thinking you need to stop,” she continued swiftly, “I had no idea what I would write, so do not blame me for my knowledge. I had no control over what was written. I could only read.”

  He set his violin down and started to clap his hands in her direction. Victoria stiffened, knowing full and well that he was not clapping because he was happy. Ezra stopped and slowly walked over to her, staring at her with a deep look that made her want to run from the room.

  His voice cut through her like a blade. “Bravo, love! You have just answered your own question.”

  “I don’t understand,” she barely said.

  He laughed softly, rubbing the back of his fingers over her neck. “Let me get something straight. I respect Michael in the highest degree, I fear you have gotten the wrong impression.” His words were low and harsh. “The man is the highest of the high for one reason. That reason is being he is very smart, cunning, and too damn brilliant for his own good. You do not know him like I do, I’m afraid.”

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

  “I know what he is capable of, which is why I was so furious at first when I felt you jump. I knew he tampered with my plans, with the future,” he tilted his head as he stared at her, a trait she was beginning to recognize on him. “You see, I’d like to think I am Michael’s equal, but now I am finding out that I have much to learn here.”

  “Because he deceived me?” she said, already knowing where he was going with this.

  “No, love, because he deceived me.”

  She bit her tongue, holding back her emotions.

  His expression changed as his eyes moved over her face. “He has done this to me before, but you wouldn’t have known that.” His jaw clenched as he took a minute. “I’m sure you were not just a pawn, for you truly are the Destroyer. As soon as I touched you I knew that part of this puzzle was not misled. So congratulations on having said one actuality.”

  “At least I have that going for me,” she hissed.

  He looked out the window, his pale gaze seemed to reflect the storm brewing outside. “I’m certain Michael had his noble reasons in ruining my plans, but you’ll understand that I will have my revenge.” He walked away
from her and grabbed his violin. He closed his eyes, seeming to be having an inner battle. “If he wants a show I will give him a grand one. Tonight I will show him that I can adapt and overcome. He will never see me give up, for where there is a will, there is a way.”

  Victoria looked around the room for ideas but nothing came to mind, not even sure what she was looking for. Victoria knew that whatever she said here in the next thirty minutes could change the course of history significantly. “So I am assuming the part about me loving you … Michael just threw that in there for what purpose I wonder?” she said levelly and tapped her chin as if she were in deep thought.

  Ezra looked over his shoulder but didn’t comment. His gaze was clouded, distant. She had to bring him back.

  Think about the book.

  “And I’m guessing that you have the innocent humans under lock in the ballroom? Because I do not hear life outside this room anymore, no more laughter. Or are you saving that part for later? Or maybe this time around you decide to kill them all?” she asked, giving her best serious expression. “I’m sure you have this place surrounded with all the fallen, the evil is quite suffocating, I can feel it.”

  He stared at her for a moment before responding. “You are giving me some wonderful ideas,” he said happily and turned towards her. “I honestly was thinking about that, I really was.” He grinned at her, “Are you a mind reader?”

  Victoria nodded, up for the challenge. Time to change tactics for spilling her heart was getting her nowhere. “Of course not, silly.” He narrowed his eyes at her lighthearted words. “I am not a mind reader, just supremely gullible.” She stifled a giggle. “I actually agree with you now. Seriously.”

  “Do you now?”

  She laughed, placing a hand over her chest. “Oh dear, I feel foolish now. Please speak of this to no one.”

  He blinked at her, his gaze darkening.

  Victoria turned, her hoop skirts swishing as she paced. “I read that I was in love with you, and yes, I believed it. I actually believed everything I read, and if it said the sky was pink I probably would have believed it.” She turned towards him, noting his dark expression. “I’m sure Michael will explain everything when I see him. But I do agree with you, him making up the love part was really unnecessary.”

  “Unnecessary,” he repeated.

  “Absolutely,” she continued, “I mean, I see it now. I think we would not make a good pair. Ever. We would fight all the time. But, I am more curious on why Michael thought to say that in the first place. Maybe I had to find you and talk with you, and if he didn’t tell me I was in love with you, then I would not have looked for you.”

  “Your intellect is impressive,” he said mildly, his gaze hard.

  “I will admit, I feel a bit relieved,” she grinned at him, hoping to irritate him more than he already seemed.

  “How so?” Ezra asked, his frown increased.

  “Well, now I am not tied to you. I mean, I felt obligated to confess my love because the book did state that I was in love with you, in my past life.” She turned and looked up at him from under her lashes. “Now I can love someone else ... whoever I want!”

  He uncrossed his arms and glared at her, taking a couple steps toward her.

  She retreated. “Why do you look so upset?” she asked with wide eyes. “I will find out the reason why Michael tried to make me believe this. It must have been done with good intensions.”

  “Are you trying to make me jealous?” His expression looked more stunned than angered.

  She laughed again and waved her hand in his direction, ignoring her now pounding heart. “Please, don’t flatter yourself.”

  He choked, or laughed, she couldn’t tell. She was also certain that he was not used to being talked to like this. Victoria inwardly patted herself on the back. This tactic seemed to do the trick, she was getting a rise out of him without even trying. Her inner-self grinned, just wait till I get started.

  “You can’t be serious.” He glowered at her, his tone anything but amused.

  “Quite.” She eyed him back, without smiling.

  Their gazes clashed.

  She pranced over to him, never breaking her eye contact. “Why do you look so upset? Do you want me to love you then?”

  His jaw flexed and his gaze seemed to throw darts at her.

  “I didn’t think so, you’re a demon after all. I would rather love a good Liorian man, not one of the fallen,” she murmured coldly, hoping she didn’t cross the line.

  The next thing she realized was that she was up against the wall, his hand around her neck. It happened so fast she didn’t have a chance to scream. Victoria held her breath as Ezra leaned into her neck, his breath hot.

  “I think you better be careful,” he hissed, his hand shook where he grasped her around the throat like he was trying to hold his anger back. The color drained from her face and her knees wanted to give out.

  Victoria swallowed, her pulse leaping to life. “What are you going to do Ezra? Kill me this time around?”

  “I find that I might,” he continued as he pressed his body against hers. “I think Michael did a stupid thing by putting you in my possession.”

  Victoria didn’t know fear until now. “Let me go,” she barely got out, trying to take a normal breath in but it was hard.

  His pale gaze flickered crimson. Good God, she had been wrong to try reverse psychology on him.

  “Tell me you love me,” he hissed.

  “Never,” she shot back before she could think better of it. He didn’t deserve her devotion when his hand was around her neck, hurting her. He looked different, evil. Maybe he was right, how could she love a man like him.

  He threw his head back and laughed.

  She got the chills.

  He suddenly tossed her, making her fly onto the couch, landing with a rough bounce. She gasped when he was on top of her and pinned her down with his large arms. Victoria struggled but didn’t have a chance, it was like trying to move a mountain. He grabbed both of her hands with one hand and his other he placed on her lips.

  “Shhh,” he rasped, his midnight hair falling forward.

  Victoria glared up at him as one tear escaped down her cheek. This was not how it was supposed to happen, but Michael did warn her.

  He tilted his head at her then leaned down, his lips brushing over hers, his breath scorching. “So much anger now,” he rasped against her mouth. “You have so much life in you. It’s addictive.”

  Victoria closed her eyes, trying to fight the tingling sensations across her whole skin. Jerking her head to the side she tried to kick him in between the legs but he only pressed his body harder on her preventing her from moving. Victoria felt her face flush with anger and embarrassment, for she felt the part on him that suggests he was anything but angry now. He was aroused and clearly he was enjoying trying to make her the same. Or maybe he got off on tormenting her to the point of boiling fury.

  He took his hand, touched her choker, feeling a burning sensation.

  “Ezra, what are you doing?”

  “I am making it so you cannot take off your choker, love. Would hate for you to transform and ruin my plans.”

  She gasped.

  “Tell me again how you think to gain another man’s attention,” he spoke, his voice almost too low to hear. The heavy weight of him on her was shamefully simulating even though she tried telling herself that he was a horrid, evil man.

  She had no idea what he was talking about until she remembered her comment about loving someone else. If she didn’t know any better she would call him jealous which baffled her. “I can love who I choose,” she groaned out, pushing up on him.

  He smiled at her efforts. “I want you to know that if another man touches you I will kill him, watching him suffer greatly in front of you,” he threatened with a gleam in his eye.

  If her mouth wasn’t already open it would have fallen open. Victoria turned her head to look at him. “You say you do not want my love, then you th
reaten any other man who might love me. You’re mad if you think you can control me.”

  “I am mad enough to try,” he countered with a husky voice.

  She forced a laugh, feeling like she was losing her sanity. “Michael will take me away from you once he arrives. Like you said, you are no match for him.”

  “I’d like to see him try. I wouldn’t bet all your money on Michael,” he countered softly.

  She screamed in outrage. “So you do want my love then? You make no sense!”

  “No I do not want your love,” he whispered. “But if I can’t have it no one can.” There was a long silence ...

  “But you can have it,” she said simply.

  He stared down at her for what seemed like an eternity. Ezra's pale gaze flickered over her face then rested on her lips.

  Victoria tried to shift under him but moving was still impossible. “Why won’t you believe me?”

  “Because that’s what Michael wants; it’s what he is hoping for,” he paused as his jaw flexed. “I can see that man’s mind working, conjuring up a plan a half-breed like myself could not resist. You did not ever love me and never will, you just think you did. No, I do not believe you because no Liorian woman would ever get herself mixed up with the fallen. It’s forbidden.” He tilted his head and he watched her expression.

  “What if you’re wrong?”

  “I have lived long enough to know my odds,” he whispered. “I will suffer a hundred deaths rather than see that smug look on Michael’s face.”

  Victoria squeezed her eyes shut. “So you will punish me because your heart can not accept what is right in front of you?”

  “You will learn to hate me,” he murmured as his lips lowered to her neck, his lips moving over her skin there. Ezra lifted his body up so he could have access to the curve of her upper breasts, expelling a long hot breath over her until he sat up completely. “I can feel Michael and his army’s presence weakening my defense.” His gaze roamed over her body. “I have a show to put on and you’re in the front row.”

  Her whole body tensed, somehow recognizing the mad gleam in his gaze.