Dark Sonata Read online

  Lord Stone smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. But, the smile was not playful — it was cold, hard. His eyes held something dark, the deep circles pronounced anger and vengeance. “I want you to say my name.”

  She shuddered at the anger in his eyes. “L… lord Sto…”

  “Ezra,” he hissed, his eyes narrowing on her heatedly.

  “Ezra,” she whimpered.

  Ezra tilted his head at her. “There now, that wasn’t so bad. I hate when you say Lord Stone,” he exhaled, “and you have such a exquisite voice for using it so … formally.”

  “Please,” she whispered. “What do you want?” she asked again, unable to handle the suspense. Victoria knew it was not just a kiss that he wanted; it was much deeper than that. She could feel it.

  He grinned at her; it was nothing short of disturbing. “Smart girl.” He suddenly was holding the choker in his hand, like it just materialized before her. “I want to know who is the rightful owner of this choker.”

  Victoria’s heart started to pound, knowing she was in trouble. “I … I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Lady Henrietta?” she lied, praying he would leave it at that and go elsewhere. Once he left she could escape, and once he found out from Henrietta it was hers it would be too late.

  He nodded and stared at her, his gaze exceedingly assessing, almost like he was measuring her up in his mind. And why on Earth would he think she was lying?! What made him link the choker to her in the first place?

  The silence was unnerving. “I mean, she has so much jewelry, how would I know where she acquired them all from? Maybe a suitor gave it to her as a gift? That’s very common for Lady Henrietta. I for one do not even like jewelry,” she finished lamely, blushing a little from her lies.

  “Hmm, is that so?” he asked softly, his long eyelashes lowering, his body shifting.

  “Yes,” she whispered, sensing where his gaze had gone. The mood suddenly altered for she felt his gaze burning into her skin where he stared. The air felt instantly charged. Victoria realized how intoxicatingly close he was to her, his body heat radiating off of him. His muscular thighs were brushing her own and his broad chest was mere breaths away.

  Time seemed to stand still, everything around them ceased to exist. He exhaled audibly while his forefinger started tracing little designs low on her hips, inflaming her cheeks instantly and causing her body to tremble with uncertainty. Victoria closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Her heart stopped for momentarily, then came back pumping with force when he pressed his finger into her hip. The small movements were bold, coming dangerously close to her womanhood with every careful caress through her thick skirts, heightening her awareness … a responsiveness she couldn’t describe. Victoria couldn’t help the moan that escaped through her parted lips as he blew lightly on her neck, sending an army of gooseflesh racing down her flushed skin. The foreign sensations were fogging up her mind and all she wanted to do was to purr, and to beg him not to stop.

  How could such a small movement play such havoc with her senses? Ezra’s breathing was loud in her ear as his thighs pressed into hers. “Sooo responsive,” he rasped, his low voice almost undoing her.

  His palm flattened above her womanhood making her take a sharp intake of breath. Her vision was blurring making her neck unable to support her head anymore so she let it fall to the side, completely overcome. Then slowly, leisurely, his hand smoothed up the middle of her stomach then continued making her whimper, his palm leaving a wake of nervous tremors in the pit of her belly. Her mind was racing, wondering wildly what he was doing to her. Victoria bit her lip so she wouldn’t make another sound, her body igniting into flames from his bold touch. When his hand reached the valley between her breasts he exhaled, his eyes were dark and seductive, making direct eye contact with hers. The intense heat in his gaze immobilized her, shocked her. She’d never experienced such an open display of desire before. Her heart was thumping madly under his palm, her breasts rising and falling with each rushed, hurried breath. He knowingly stared at her, his eyes hooded with something dark, primitive.

  Ezra’s hand kept going up until his fingers boldly wrapped around her neck, slightly squeezing. “Such a pity … that you do not know who the choker belongs to,” he breathed into her neck, his mouth replacing his fingers, locking on to the sensitive skin there. He sucked and swirled his tongue around her jumping pulse, nipping it with his teeth.

  She made a loud whimpering sound, too caught up in what he was doing to pay any heed to what was just said. The sound she made seemed to spur him on, like he just tasted water after years of endless thirst. His mouth fiercely kissed a trail of fire up to her jaw, breathing words into her flushed skin, then took her mouth with his savagery. The harsh contact was drugging, demanding to a shameful degree. His mouth tasted of sin, the most secret of desires. His tongue plunged into her mouth making her dizzy with wanting him, needing him with an urgency she didn’t understand. His hands were on her back, then moved to her derrière, pressing her forcefully into his groin. As their mouths combated, her own hands came up to pull on his dark hair, ruffling her hands through the raven locks with a fierceness she didn’t recognize. She heard him deeply moan into her mouth then in the next instant his arms yanked her forward, making her head fall back. His hot mouth moved over the tops of her breasts, kissing, licking, sucking …

  “Ezra,” a deep voice bellowed from the shadows.

  Ezra stiffened. Their rhythmic breathing interrupted as they both fought to think clearly. Ezra brought her up slowly and their eyes clashed for one more demanding second. Ezra’s gaze was still dark with passion, his chest still pumping. Victoria couldn’t put her fragmented mind together yet, feeling overwhelmed.

  Ezra said over his shoulder, still holding her steady. “Buer, what the fuck is it?” He hissed, sounding breathless, livid.

  “All is ready just as you asked. We can wait no longer my Lord,” the chilling voice said.

  Victoria tilted her head to peer around Ezra and sucked in her breath, restraining a scream. A cloaked man stood there; his eyes were black pools of emptiness, reflecting something dark and malevolent. His scraggly, long blond hair and ashy skin reminded her of someone who was dead. He was horrifying, straight out of a nightmare.

  Screams suddenly reverberated from the ballroom.

  Ezra looked back at Victoria, an expression she couldn’t read. What was actually happening was starting to dawn on her; her mind was clearing. She was in danger. She glanced back to the other man, then to Ezra; dread seeped into every bone of her body. “Ezra … ?” she whimpered.

  Ezra hardened his face and ordered to Buer, “Take her and put her with the rest of them. Get the Lady named Henrietta too. I will join you shortly.”

  “Yes, my Lord,” came the low response.

  “No!” Victoria screamed as she was grabbed and hauled away. She turned and looked behind her to see Ezra staring after her.

  Chapter four

  Ezra Stone licked his lips, savoring the lingering taste of her as he strode down the long corridor to the library. The only sound that broke up the unbearable silence was the hurried clicks of his boots. He gritted his teeth and clinched his fists to where he drew a tinge of blood. He wanted more, needing to drink in her cries of pleasure for some insane reason. In his rational mind he knew he shouldn’t want to, but he did.

  The Devil take it he did.

  He stopped, seemingly out of breath.

  She tasted like honey, sweet and innocent. Perfect. Ezra clenched his fist more, swearing through his teeth. That was never his taste before so why the fuck was it now?! He liked—still liked—his women corrupt and disturbingly wrong. Demon women were his preferred choice, the more the merrier. Yes, soulless women were the best in bed, never any disappointment.

  He repeated this to himself as he continued walking, trying to convince himself of that fact. Ezra tried, forcing himself to picture one in his mind but kept envisioning eyes the color of ice water … and porcelain skin.
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  He stopped again and ran a hand through his hair, grinding his teeth in aggravation.

  The main issue was that at this very moment, he was having this insane urge to go back and strip her down and taste every inch of her lush body. His thoughts were dark, screaming at him to go and bring her back. “God’s teeth.” His heart pounded with fury from his lack of restraint. He was a demon, evil down to the core. He should not desire her like this.

  Ezra’s eyes were blood shot, his breathing harsh and his mood was as black as it’s ever been in his long worthless existence. His sanity was wavering, his mind blown into razor sharp fragments cutting into his rational mind.

  He took a deep breath then kept going and smashed his fist into the library door, wood splinters flying everywhere as it busted off its hinges. Ezra strode into the library heading straight for the whiskey decanter. He poured himself a large amount then took something out of his waistcoat and dripped some crimson substance into the drink. He took a couple of breaths and downed the whole thing, letting the warmth trail down his throat. After a couple of moments he threw his glass into the fire, the flames roaring to temporary life. What in the hell has gotten into him? Why was he letting this Liorian woman affect him? She was off limits.

  Off. Limits.

  Not for someone like him.

  His rising obsession for her was getting unhealthy. From the first moment he saw her he wanted her with some profound need. Lady Victoria, he laughed and stared into the darkness. She had no idea what she is, or who he was for that matter.

  He ruffed his hands through his hair and expelled a long breath. Oh, but how he wanted to corrupt her.

  Ezra swore then walked over to the large mirror on the wall and gazed at his gaunt reflection and disheveled hair. She had no bloody idea what she was dealing with, no one did. He closed his eyes and the tattoo on the side of his neck flickered with light. A silver violin instantly manifested on the bar next to him, the shiny surface reflecting the dimmest of lights. Taking in the instrument, his hand lightly feathered over the glassy smooth surface. This was his prized possession, the only thing that ever mattered to him.

  On the outside it appeared to be a normal violin but only he knew what it really was. Ezra gazed back into the mirror and noted how shockingly pale he appeared, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead dampening some of his hair. His eyes were irritated and his deep purple circles reminded him of what little time he had left.

  * * * * *

  It all started with Victoria’s mother, Assiel. Assiel was the Master of Healing, Servant of Light.

  Ezra laughed; his father, Moray, King of the Underrealm was now dying. He was infected with Assiel’s trickery.

  Twenty years ago Moray thought to take Assiel’s soul and contain her power in the hope he could raise the dead, the Power of Healing being one of the most important powers to possess. Quite understandable. Moray wanted to be invincible against the heavenly forces, to rise above and have his revenge. It was a good plan but Assiel was not going down without a fight. Right before she died Assiel shot him with the Spear of Light, piercing him through the heart.

  This was where it didn’t make sense to him.

  His father was too strong to die like that; Assiel was smart enough to know this too. The Spear of Light wounded him greatly but he recovered with time. The Spear was not fatal to the higher ranked demons for it merely wounded them greatly.

  Ezra suspected that the spear had been poisoned with something unknown, something a demon had never encountered before. He had tried to find out what it was but there were no answers. His father seemed evasive when asked about poison. Moray was dying slowly and without hope. Each year he dwindled and the only alternate he claims is Assiel’s daughter.

  Why?

  He was aware that Victoria would have the same gifts as her mother but why was Moray so certain she could cure this supposed curse? Masters of Healing couldn’t cure everything, having tried other healers only to have them all fail. So why this healer? Because she was Assiel’s child? Clearly his father was hiding some crucial details from him. That was unforgivable. Ezra gritted his teeth as he stared into the dark room. His father hated that he was a half-breed, never trusting him even though he stood in line for the throne. He'd be damned if he let his father betray him like this.

  Ezra looked down as he recalled Victoria’s angelic face and was furious with himself for letting it affect him. She was more beautiful than her mother, if that was even possible. He tried to push the memory of her out of his mind. God’s teeth! He needed to be focused, not bloody captivated.

  It was then that they learned Assiel had a daughter hidden on Earth. She was deliberately hidden. Ezra found out that Assiel had given the child a damn choker; something his father demanded he have. What could the choker do? Well, his father claimed it could cure him. But Ezra knew something bigger was going on, which was why he was now taking matters into his own hands.

  Ezra was a half-breed, his mother being raped by his father. His mother was a Master of Healing and his father a soulless piece of shit. So little by little Ezra was losing what soul he had left, the evil taking control. He needed to blackmail the Liorians into giving him his soul back before he lost it all. Once he does, Ezra will not want saving …

  Being evil and loving it.

  A tall man came storming through the doorway dressed in English finery, his dark eyes taking in the broken door before he entered fully. Ezra whipped around and smiled at Gadreel, his second-in-command.

  “Ezra, we’re waiting for your orders. Your father cannot wait much longer, you know this,” he reprimanded.

  Ezra stood up straight, schooling his features of great sympathy. “I know. You realize I would do anything for my father? How insensitive of me for making him wait,” he muttered, making his voice overly sweet. Ezra’s eyes flickered as he smiled, tilting his head.

  Gadreel took a moment then eyed him warily.

  “Drink?”

  He shook his head, an expression of confusion etched into his face. Gadreel looked to Ezra’s left and spotted the violin, making his eyes grow wide. “Ezra, the v-violin.”

  Ezra laughed and nodded his head, pouring another drink. “Yes, isn’t it great?”

  “You’re mad,” Gadreel whispered.

  Ezra tossed back a whiskey and shrugged. “Matter of opinion. To a mad man I’m completely normal.”

  “What do you plan on using it for?! Lord Moray has forbidden any use of that sort of weaponry! Even the Liorians forbid this! You dare defy your own father?” Gadreel breathed, clearly astounded by his actions.

  “Defy my father, hmm,” he expressed without emotion. “The father that raped and murdered my mother then blamed me? No, I would never do anything that displeased him,” Ezra hissed, his eyes glittering crimson. “And you, my friend, are the worst of them all. I want you all to pay; I’d rather die than help that soulless bastard. I want you all to burn … in … hell.”

  “Ezra?” Gadreel's voice wavered, going down on one knee, his black eyes wide with terror. “Think a-about what you’re doing. You’re in line for the throne, ruling over six legions! You have the chance to beat the heavenly forces so we won’t have to burn in hell!”

  “Awe yes, I love that story!” Ezra spun around recklessly, seizing the violin with menacing intent.

  Gadreel exploded back, holding out his hand in defense. “Stop this! I can help you!”

  Ezra gave Gadreel a humorous look. “Gadreel, fuck you.” he said with vigor then spit in his direction. “Have fun dancing in Hell, I hear it’s hot rather down there.” Ezra began to play the violin slowly, calmly, deliberately. The eerie, romantic tune morphed into something alive, monstrous, and quite ominous. The notes contorted into glowing, transparent serpents that slowly slithered on the ground towards Gadreel, fangs bared. The notes reflected the soul of its prey, matching Gadreel’s perfectly. Focusing hard he played every note flawlessly.

  “No! Bloody hell it’s not real! It’
s not real! It’s not!” He forced himself up and stumbled, trying to run but to no avail. The snakes attacked, feasting on his dark spirit, taking every bit of life out of him almost instantly. It was brutal, Gadreel’s screams of pain mixed with the dark melody echoed throughout the library. The ghostly serpents hissed and screeched as the last of Gadreel’s life was gone.

  Ezra instantly let go of the sound making them vanish, evaporating into thin air as quakes vibrated the floor. Pain seared through his whole body like he was being burned from within. Blood dripped from his nose as he laughed, bracing himself on the bar. It’s not real.

  Nice try.

  This is hearsay but the only defense against the art of the Periculum is to believe that it is not real, to truly believe with every fiber of your being. As the ghost-like serpents slither towards their prey, one must look at the monstrous creatures in the eye, seeing them as a delusion of the mind. Any ounce of doubt will be the death of the victim, for it’s a window to the soul. A doorway to death. The obvious reason why not one person can overcome the Periculum is because it’s bloody impossible. One can’t believe something is not real when it very much is.

  It’s outlawed because it’s uncontrollable; one wrong note will leave a trail of devastation. Killing the musician and everything within a hundred mile radius. Ezra grinned darkly, but the part about it being impossible to control was also hearsay because no one was mad enough to try. He twirled the violin, looked like he busted that myth.

  Ezra straightened, taking out a bright purple handkerchief to wipe the blood from his nose. Time to fetch the woman who was his ticket to salvation.