Unholy Pursuits: Immortal Hungers, #1

Unholy Pursuits

Book One of the Immortal Hungers Series

Suzanne Rock

Alysanne tries to remove the dark presence inside an FBI agent’s mind, and embarks on a sexual journey that neither of them will ever forget.

Darien Lange let his guard down once, and Alysanne King stole the demon stone out from under his nose. Now he has to get it back, no matter what the cost. It doesn’t matter that the feisty redhead calms the demonic voice in his head, or that her body tempts him beyond reason. Only the stone will ensure his survival. As he tries to seduce it away from her, a connection starts to form between them. Now he must decide whether to save his sanity, or his heart.

The more Darien showers her with kisses, the more Alysanne’s heart softens to his cause. She knows she won’t be able to resist his charm for much longer. Despite the temptation, she knows she must keep the stone safe, because if the demon in his mind claims it, an unholy force would destroy everything she had ever loved—including him.

Copyright

Unholy Pursuits

Copyright © February 2016 by Suzanne Rock

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning: This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Suzanne Rock’s e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

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Chapter One

They were coming. Alysanne King couldn’t see the team of FBI agents, but she felt their presence as surely as she felt the chilly winter air on her skin. She could hear their footsteps crunching on the snow and smell the scent of masculine sweat in the air. Those agents had walked long and hard, pushing through most of the night. Soon they’d reach the clearing, and when they did, she needed to be ready.

Aly hid behind the bushes and waited. It had snowed hard during the night. Lingering flakes still dotted the air and landed on her nose. She brushed them away with her gloved hand.

It was early dawn, a time when most sane creatures would still be asleep. Not her, though. She hadn’t had a nice, normal night’s sleep since she had taken on this assignment over a year ago. What she wouldn’t give to be wrapped up in her warm bed right now instead of hovering on the edge of a clearing in the middle of nowhere…

No. Such melancholy thoughts were useless. This was the life that she chose, not one that was forced upon her. Her sister, the queen, would only be too happy to have her sit beside the throne under protective guard. Alysanne was never one for the formalities of the high court, however, especially when her people were suffering.

Instead of placating her sister, Aly defied her birthright and chose to make a difference. She liked being useful and thrived on the adventure she found as a royal guard. Her sister never understood her need to be away from court life, and was constantly trying to convince her to stay home where it was safe. Aly couldn’t sit around and be idle however, not when there was so much danger lurking around them.

Winter cold seeped into her fingers and toes, and she flexed them to stay warm. Where the hell were they? Those men should have arrived hours ago. Then again, Darien Lange wasn’t known for doing things the easy way. The hot-headed FBI leader probably had them going off on some side adventure rather than keeping them focused on the task at hand. Typical.

A year ago Aly had been assigned to watch the Paranormal Investigation Unit of the FBI, and ever since then she had been forced to watch Darien’s arrogance. He handled his men with the same bravado that brought scores of women into his bed. Aly easily saw through his slick, polished façade, but most people didn’t. His good looks and charm had both men and women hanging on his every word. It was disgusting. This time his hotheadedness was going to get himself and his whole team killed.

Aly pulled her maroon cloak around her and glanced at the large portal only a few short steps away from where she hid. The enormous gaping hole hovered in the air and swirled with the colors of the rainbow. It called to her, just like it always did. Born from Mother Earth, the portal was the source of her power. All of her people were linked to that gateway. If it was ever destroyed, then she’d be destroyed as well.

Icicles hung down from the surrounding trees, acting like prisms to the light emanating from the portal. Everything was calm, peaceful. It was a sharp contrast to the true danger the mystical door brought into this world.

Her people, the Iatros, had been guarding this clearing for centuries. Each generation had been successful in cloaking the portal from human eyes and keeping the Netherworld creatures from entering Earth. Now it was her mission to prevent anyone from passing through the portal. The job had been easy enough at first, but now things were becoming more complicated.

Bathin, lord of the deamhans, had built a stone that focused his powers and amplified them enough to cross the portal. Thankfully, his powers had greatly diminished when he stepped foot on the other side and the royal guard was able to push him back. Heaven help them all if he managed to cross over with his full powers intact. He’d bring with him a drone army and destroy every living thing in his wake.

They were able to save Earth, but not without repercussions. The battle had many casualties on both sides, and their cloaking devices were damaged. During this vulnerable time Darien and his team discovered the portal and the stone. They had started studying it, and in doing so learned that Bathin was building a second even more powerful than the last. When complete, this new stone would allow him to cross the portal with his powers intact.

The knowledge had everyone scrambling. Within days of this news, Bathin sent lower deamhans across the border, knowing that without their powers they stood little chance against the royal guard. They were instructed to pluck the wings of the Iatros, which linked them to the portal and their magik. These wings were brought back into the Netherworld to aid Bathin in his cause. He was using these wings to test and perfect the stone, she was sure of it. And in doing so, he was keeping the Iatros distracted.

Ignorant of the Iatros and their plight, Darien took it upon himself to go into the Netherworld and steal the stone. What he didn’t realize was that a bunch of humans were no match for someone like Bathin. Even weakened, it took the entire Iatros royal guard several days to push him back into the Netherworld. At best, Darien would be a minor inconvenience. At worst, Bathing would torture him, transforming him into a member of his drone army.

No good could come of humans crossing the portal. It was suicidal. She hated to admit it, but she had grown fond of the big lug over the past year and would hate for him—or any of his team—to die at the hands of a monster like Bathin. That is, if he survived the crossing. Passing into the Netherworld killed an Iatros. Only the strongest and bravest of humans survived.

The sharp snap of branches echoed off to her left. Finally.

A tall, muscular man broke through the forest and stepped into the small clearing. He stomped with those huge workman boots through the snow, heedless of the winter wonderland around him. His raven-colored hair hung wild around his head and dark bands ran under his piercing hazel eyes. At one point he might have had darker skin, but the long, cold New England winter had turned it pale. He looked more deamhan than human, his face purposeful as he trudged toward the portal.

Over here. Darien’s deep baritone cut through the cold and sent a tingle of warmth running through her body. The man was brutish and stubborn, but his mind was sharp.

He didn’t know who she was, of course. Her mission had been to be the go-between for Cai, an Iatros informant, and her queen. Unlike her court, the queen understood the dangers of the portal and had Cai infiltrate the team and gather information for the Iatros. Her sister hated sending in her spirit-mate, but there was no one else she trusted. Cai communicated the information to Alysanne in private meetings, since Aly was the only other one her sister trusted.

Aly wasn’t allowed to show herself to Darien’s team or converse with them. It was too risky. Her slanted ears and wings would look odd in the human world and she’d do more harm than good for her race. It was Cai who told her what the FBI learned about the stone and it was Cai who told her about Darien’s plan.

Unfortunately, Darien had moved too quickly. There wasn’t enough time to inform her queen or gather the guards for added protection around the portal. Darien had called the team for what everyone thought was a midnight planning session. They were all shocked to learn that they were going into the Netherworld. It was only by sheer luck that Alysanne had been around and Cai was able to get word to her.

More branches snapped as Cai and the others emerged through the trees. Her small Chinese informant picked her out of her hiding spot and gave her a frustrated look. He didn’t want to go into hell, but he had no choice, not if he wanted to maintain his cover.

She nodded to the two Iatros guards hidden on the other side of the clearing. Normally there were more, but the deamhans who had already crossed had been attacking her home, Celestial Wood, weakening their protective wards and cloaking magik. Most were engaged in a battle for their lives.

Alysanne watched as Darien approached the portal. She raised her hand, signaling the other two Iatros to stay in hiding. Their timing had to be perfect if they hoped to prevent Darien and his team from crossing.

Darien stretched out his long, smooth fingers into the thick magik of the portal. The colors rippled like water, then stuck to his finger like goo as he pulled them back. Aly felt the ripple of magik through her soul, warming her all the way to the bone.

What are you planning, boss? Cai asked as he walked up to him. Two similar looking humans, known as the twins, dropped their packs in the snow beside him. Both were large and blond, like Vikings, yet their youthful features betrayed more playful personalities.

We’re going in, of course. Darien looked around. Where’s Urian?

Another human burst through the trees. Tall and dark, Urian brushed his long ebony hair from his face with a well-muscled arm. Will you guys ever wait up for me?

Darien’s lips twitched. We’re waiting now.

Urian brushed his hand over his goatee, his blue eyes wild with emotion. What’s that odd rainbow thing?

That ‘odd rainbow thing’ my friend, is what we’ve been looking for. Darien adjusted his backpack. Victory is within our reach, my friends. He walked around the portal, his gaze fixed on the colors. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

I’m not sure we should go in there, Cai said.

Darien jerked around to face him. Why not?

Cai pressed his lips together as he took a step back. It’s dangerous.

The Netherworld’s always dangerous, my friend. At least, according to our prisoner. Darien closed the distance between him and Cai and patted him on the back. The Chinese man looked as if he was going to be sick. If anyone should be wary of the Netherworld, it would be Cai. He was the queen’s spirit-mate and, as such, held some of her power. That power would be neutralized in hell. With so many deamhans, not only would her friend become powerless, but he’d become physically ill.

Come along, my friends. Darien took a deep breath and faced the portal. Let’s get this over with. I’ll buy everyone the first round of beers at Hooligan’s tomorrow night—two beers if you’re the one who finds the stone first. He adjusted the pack on his back.

Enough was enough. It was time to make her sister proud.

Alysanne sprang from the bushes, her sword raised. The long blade glowed white from her magik. Her auburn hair blew out behind her head in ripples of waves. She spread her wings and swung the ancient sword of her ancestors before her, creating an arc of white light and blocking entry into the portal. Darien stepped back in shock, but then his features returned to cool and casual, as if he had always known about the Iatros and they were nothing new to him.

Alysanne marveled at how he could keep himself together. Normally when humans first encountered one of her kind, they cowered in fear. His blank mask was a testament to his determination and self-control, two qualities that she admired in him.

And who is this vision? His voice didn’t hold the anger she expected, but more of a playful flirtation. Did he intend to woo her out of his way like he did all of those women in those bars back home?

Alysanne steeled her jaw as anger drew up from her core. If he thought that such tricks would work on her, then he had another thing coming.

He lowered his arms and nodded to her wings. I can see you aren’t human, so you must be…

He wouldn’t know her species; no human did unless they were bound to her race through a spirit-bond. She lifted her chin as her fellow warriors came up from behind, flanking her sides. One had long dark hair, the other light. Other than different hair color, they all had similar features, the same pale skin and tall stature.

All of the Iatros were female and Alysanne was sure the three of them looked like some warped version of Charlie’s Angels. Celibate Charlie’s angels. Being part of the royal guard didn’t leave much time for recreation or relationships.

Three beautiful women. By the way Darien raised his brow and curled his lips, she could tell he was thinking of taking them all to bed. Her anger rose, burning like a fire in her belly. A new emotion emerged as well, one that felt a little bit like…

Jealousy? Was she jealous that he was looking at the other women with the same lustful gaze he flashed her? How odd. She didn’t own Darien. Just because she had watched him with Cai over the past year didn’t mean that she had any claim. Besides, why on Earth would she desire such a pompous ass?

She flexed her fingers on the hilt of the sword. You cannot pass through here. It’s too dangerous.

Darien relaxed and began to close the distance between them. Ah, sweetheart, you don’t know who you’re talking to. He flashed her a smooth, sexy smile. Danger is my middle name.

Oh I know who you are. You’re Darien Lange, chief investigator of the Paranormal Investigation Unit of the FBI—and resident hot-head.

Snickers rose up from behind Darien and he gave each member of his team a sharp look.

When he turned back to Aly, he was all smiles. It seems that you know me, but I know nothing about you. What’s your name, pretty lady?

Pretty lady? Was he serious? Alysanne tightened her grip on her sword and noticed her companions did the same with theirs. He deserved to be cut through the middle with her blade and yet… He was the one who discovered Bathin’s intentions and learned the location of the stone. He had eluded the deamhan lord’s minions and had tortured one into giving him information. Perhaps if they worked together…

No, Darien was too reckless and a liability. He’d rush into something without thinking and potentially expose her whole race to annihilation. It was better to stand guard. She was charged with keeping the portal safe, and by all that was holy, she was going to do just that.

Aly glanced at Cai, who gave a subtle indication to let them pass through the portal. Let them pass? Why? Surely Cai knew of the dangers. Did something happen that she didn’t know about? Did Darien