The Darkness Within by Charisma Knight Read Free Book Online

Vukasin warned.
    “Don’t you ever put your paw in my face again, wolf!” Quinton spat.
    “Dumbass, if you speak her name too many times, she’ll remain in this realm in flesh and blood. Guess who takes her place in our realm?”
    Quinton’s hand connected with his forehead. “Shit!”
    “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t foresee us winning this fight.” Vukasin crossed his arms. Suddenly, the pair were pulled into a realm they had never seen before. A tall man clad in black awaited them.
     

Chapter Eight
     
    An old man appeared in flesh form before the vampire and the wolf. “So—you are the gentlemen who have captured my granddaughter’s heart.” Robert walked around them, eyeing them up. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”
    Quinton scratched his head. “Sir, it is great to meet you, but why have you brought us here?”
    “Althea’s dilemma is of no surprise to you,” Taylor confessed as he continued pacing back and forth. “I’ve been around a long time, and never have I seen any of my family linked with darkness they way Althea is.”
    Vukasin frowned. “So, we weren’t wrong. Althea’s been taken over?”
    “Not fully, the process has just began. The darkness within her formed the day she assaulted her husband.” Taylor ’s facial expression changed. “It angers me how it was so easy for him to use and abuse her without a thought. The demoness fed off her emotions. My baby girl was once swathed in self-pity and despair.” Taylor cringed. “There was a point in her life where she hated herself.”
    “I’m sorry, sir, but I cannot help to think he got what he deserved. I understand she didn’t go about things in the right way, but just the same, he reaped what he sowed.” Quinton held his head high. “Unfortunately, we were both powerless to come to her aid at that time.”
    “Don’t blame yourselves. Althea’s power to travel between the realms only strengthened once she freed herself from Rufus. Unfortunately, the witch slipped in and took advantage.” Taylor sighed. “Althea will have to take care of her. The incubus is of more concern to me. You see, if he seduces her, the witch grows stronger, and Althea will have to take her place.”
    “We know,” Vukasin stated drily. “Just tell us how we play a part in this. What can we do to help her?”
    Taylor shook his head and placed a hand on Quinton’s shoulder. “I don’t see you boys surviving this fight. I am so sorry.”
    Quinton glanced at Vukasin. “I don’t care what it takes. Althea’s best interest is what’s important. You agree with me, wolf?”
    Vukasin nodded. “As long as she’s all right, I can go to my grave with a happy heart.” He bowed his head. “I’ll miss her, just the same. But—I just wish—“
    Taylor squinted. “What is your wish?”
    “Honestly, I just wish we could find a way to stay with her, forever. That’s the only thing that eats at my heart. I thought we’d be with her for a long time.”
    “We’re in love with your granddaughter, sir,” Quinton stated. “Gods help us, we love her to pieces. She’s the one who created us. We couldn’t bear to think of our existence without our Althea.”
    Taylor nodded while stroking his chin. “Well, that’s what I wanted to hear. It’s nice to know my granddaughter has two strong suitors that will aid her in time of need. For that, I thank you both.” Something twinkled in the old man’s eyes. “You never know, maybe you both will receive a second chance.”
    Vukasin shrugged. “A second chance? At what? We’re nothing but companions conjured by your granddaughter. She needs the love of real men, not a wolf and a vampire.”
    “Now you’re selling yourself short, I’m afraid. What makes you think you haven’t earned the right to become real men? Have some faith. You never know what the universe may conjure.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Instantly, the vampire and the wolf were taken to Althea near a large, gray castle in a