The Darkness Within (Demon Elite Death Squad #1)

RAYNE 3

Rayne wakes the next morning with a strange, lingering warmth in her chest, as if she’d carried the night’s memories into her dreams. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Her thoughts drift back to the bar, to the intensity of Blade’s gaze, the way he’d looked at her like she was the only person in the room. And then, there was that kiss—a kiss that felt like the world itself had stopped, that she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since.

It was strange, feeling so connected to someone she’d just met. But with Blade, it had felt… inevitable. Like somehow, she’d known him before, even though she knew that was impossible. A part of her felt foolish for letting her guard down so quickly. She’d always been cautious, ever since she was a little girl, moving from one foster home to the next. She’d learned early on to rely on herself, to keep her heart protected.

She sighed, rolling over and glancing at the old, framed photo on her nightstand. It was a picture of her as a child, standing in a park with a woman who had taken her in for a few short months. Those few months had been a rare stretch of happiness, a time when she’d felt safe, even loved. But it hadn’t lasted. It never did. Life had taught her that nothing stayed, that people always left. But with Blade, she felt something different—a strange sense of permanence, like he wouldn’t be someone who walked away.

The thought of him made her stomach flutter, a warmth spreading through her that she tried to ignore. There was something about him that felt dangerous, like he was wrapped in shadows. And yet, she’d felt safe with him, in a way she hadn’t felt with anyone else. Maybe that was why she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still close, watching over her, even now.

She was about to get up and make herself some coffee when she heard a knock on her door. The sound startled her, she glances at the clock—it is barely eight in the morning. Frowning, she makes her way to the door, peering through the peephole. Her heart skips a beat when she sees him standing there, his tall figure unmistakable.

She opens the door, her surprise evident. “Blade? How did you—”

He smirks, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “I told you I’d see you again,” he replies, his gaze intense as he looks down at her.

Rayne shuts the door, crossing her arms as she tries to regain her composure. “But how did you find me?”

Blade’s smirk fades, replaced by a seriousness that sends a shiver down her spine. “There are things about me you don’t know yet, Rayne. Things I need to explain.”

She takes a step back, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution. “What things?”

He closes the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’m not like other men, Rayne. I’m a demon, part of a group known as the Elite. We’re tasked with hunting down rogue demons who pose a threat to both humans and our world.”

Rayne blinks, “you are joking, right?” she asks as she processes his words, but before he responds, Blade reaches out, his hand cupping her face as his thumb brushes her cheek. The touch is gentle, but there is an intensity in his gaze that makes her pulse quicken.

“I know this is a lot to take in,” he continues, his voice a low murmur. “But I need you to understand that being with me means stepping into a world you never knew existed. It’s dangerous, and it’s dark. But I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She swallows hard, her mind racing with questions. What the hell is going on, Demons? Is he on something? But all rational thought flees when he leans down, capturing her lips in a kiss that is both possessive and tender. She melts against him, her arms wrapping around his neck as he deepens the kiss, pulling her closer until there is no space left between them.

Without breaking the kiss, Blade guides her backward, his hands tracing down her sides, igniting a fire within her that leaves her breathless. They stumble into the living room, and he lifts her, setting her down on the couch as his body presses against hers, the weight of him grounding her in a way that made everything else fade.

His lips trail down her neck, his hands exploring her curves as he maps her body with a reverence that makes her heart ache. She shivers as he whispers her name, his voice thick with need. Every touch, every kiss, felt like a claim, as if he were marking her as his in ways that went beyond the physical. Rayne’s breath catches as Blade pulls back slightly, his eyes darkening as he takes in the sight of her. Wordlessly, his fingers find the hem of her shirt, she lifts her arms, letting him slip it over her head. The fabric falls to the floor, leaving her exposed, and for a moment, she feels vulnerable under his intense gaze.

But then his hands are on her, warm and steady, tracing the curves of her body as if he were memorizing her. He takes his time, his eyes roaming over her with a reverence that makes her heart race. She reaches for his shirt, and he obliges, peeling it off to reveal a body sculpted by years of battle, toned and powerful. Her eyes widen as she takes in the intricate tattoos that adorn his chest and arms, swirling patterns that seem almost alive, as if they hold stories and secrets within them.

His skin is marked with symbols she doesn’t recognize, but somehow, they feel familiar, like they are a part of him that speaks to her on a level she can’t quite understand. She runs her fingers over them, feeling the ridges and curves, marvelling at the way they seem to pulse with a faint, otherworldly glow. The tattoos wrap around his torso, curling over his shoulders and down his arms, each one telling a story of battles fought, of victories won, and of a life lived in shadows.

“You’re beautiful,” she whispers, her voice filled with awe as she looks up at him. She feels her cheeks flush, the words escaping her before she can stop them, but she means it. There is something raw and captivating about him, a dangerous beauty that makes her want to lose herself in him completely.

A soft growl escapes Blade’s throat as he leans down, capturing her lips in a kiss that is both tender and possessive. He pulls her closer, their bare skin pressing together as he wraps his arms around her, lifting her and carrying her to the bedroom. He lays her down gently, his gaze never leaving hers as he removes the rest of her clothes, leaving her fully exposed beneath him.

He pauses, his eyes roving over her body, drinking in the sight of her as if he were committing every inch of her to memory. His fingers trace a path along her collarbone, down her arms, and over her waist, each touch sending a spark of electricity through her that leaves her breathless. He explores her curves with a slow, deliberate care, his hands and lips worshiping every inch of her, savouring her with a hunger that feels as endless as it is intense.

Rayne closes her eyes, surrendering to the sensations that wash over her as he kisses his way down her body, his lips trailing fire over her skin. She shivers, her hands clutching at the sheets as he moves lower, his mouth worshipping every inch of her, leaving her gasping for breath. He takes his time, each kiss a promise, each touch a silent vow that binds them together in ways she can’t yet comprehend.

When he finally moves to join their bodies, she feels a rush of anticipation that steals her breath. He looks into her eyes, his gaze intense, as if asking for her permission, for her trust. She nods, a soft smile gracing her lips, he slides into her with a tenderness that belies the fierce possessiveness she’d seen in him. Their bodies move together in perfect harmony, each movement deepening the connection between them, sealing their bond with a passion that felt as ancient as time itself.

For Blade, the moment was a revelation. He had never felt so exposed, so completely vulnerable, and yet he had never felt so alive. The feel of her beneath him, her warmth surrounding him, was like nothing he had ever known. She was everything he hadn’t known he needed, a light in the darkness that had filled his life for centuries. He marvelled at the softness of her skin, the way her body responded to his touch, the way she looked at him as if he were the only thing that mattered in the world.

As their bodies move together, the last of his walls crumble, the last of his defences fall away. He presses his lips to her skin, kissing her shoulders, her collarbone, her wrists, every inch of her that he can reach. He wants to make sure she knows, to make sure she senses the depth of his desire, the intensity of his need. She is his now, and he is hers, in ways that go beyond the physical, in ways that he knows will bind them together forever.

Rayne senses herself slipping away, losing herself in the pleasure that surges through her, the feel of him filling her completely, grounding her even as it makes her soar. She wraps her arms around him, pulling him closer, her fingers tracing the lines of his tattoos, feeling the power and strength that lay beneath them. She feels safe, held, cherished, and as they move together, she knows that she will never be the same.

When they finally collapse together, their breathing ragged and their bodies tangled, Blade holding her close, pressing his forehead against hers as they lay in the afterglow. For a moment, neither of them speaks, both lost in the moment, enjoying the connection that has been forged between them.

After a time, Blade pulls back slightly, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face as he looks down at her. His gaze is tender, but there is a gravity to it that makes her heart race.

“There’s something I need to do,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “A way to keep you safe, to make sure that no matter what happens, you’re protected.”

Rayne looks up at him, trusting him completely, even though she didn’t fully understand. She nods, giving him her silent consent, he leans down, pressing a kiss to her neck, just below her ear. She gasps at a sharp sting, followed by a warmth that spreads through her entire body, a feeling of completeness that settles deep within her soul.

When he pulls back, she touches the spot where he had marked her, feeling a strange sense of comfort and belonging. She is his now, in every way that matters, and as she looks up at him, she knows that she will follow him anywhere, face any danger, as long as he is by her side.

Blade holds her close, his arms wrapped around her as he whispers words of reassurance, explaining what it means to be marked, to be mated to a demon. He tells her about the Elite, about the world he came from, about the dangers they will face together. But none of it frightens her. Because as long as he is with her, she knows she will never be alone.

Together, they lay in the quiet, their hearts beating as one, each aware that they had just taken a step that would change both of their lives forever.

Blade takes her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers as he holds her gaze. “You now have my mark. A way for me to protect you, to know where you are, even when we’re apart. It’s something demons do with their mates.”

Rayne’s eyes widen. “Mates? You mean…?”

He nods, his expression softening. “Yes. Demons like me, we see in black and white. But when we find the one, we’re meant to be with, the one who completes us, we see in colour. That’s how I knew you were different. From the moment I saw you, everything changed.”

She stares at him, the weight of his words sinking in. She’d felt it too, that inexplicable connection, the way the world seemed to tilt when he was near. “But… I’m just human. How do I fit into this world of yours?”

Blade brushes a strand of hair from her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. “You fit because you’re mine. And now, you’re part of this, whether we like it or not. Being with me means you’ll face dangers you’ve never imagined, but it also means you won’t be alone. I’ll protect you, Rayne. Always.”

She searches his eyes, finding a steadiness there that calms her fears. She knows this is crazy, that she should be running away. But something in her tells her that she is exactly where she is meant to be. She’d spent her whole life searching for a place to belong, for someone who made her feel safe. And now, she realizes she’d found it—in the most unexpected way.

“Okay,” she whispers, squeezing his hand. “I trust you.”

Blade’s expression softens, he leans down, capturing her lips in another kiss that seals the promise between them. As they hold each other close, Rayne knows there will be questions, dangers, and unknowns. But she also knows that with Blade by her side, she is ready to face them all.

Her body is still humming from the intensity of their connection, from the way he had claimed her and made her feel like she was his in every sense of the word. She felt an inexplicable warmth coursing through her, a feeling of completeness that settles deep in her chest. But as the minutes pass, a new sensation begins to stir within her—a gentle thrumming, almost like a heartbeat, pulsing through her veins. It is subtle at first, but as she focused on it, the feeling grows stronger, more tangible, as if she were tethered to something, or someone, far beyond herself.

She touches the spot on her neck where Blade had marked her, tracing the faint outline of his bite with her fingertips. It’s warm, almost like a gentle current, pulsing in time with her heartbeat. But there is something else, something beneath the surface—a faint awareness that seems to reach out, as if she can sense Blade even now, as if their souls had been fused together in a way that defies explanation.

She looks up at him, finding him watching her with a mixture of tenderness and intensity. “I can feel it,” she murmurs, her voice barely more than a whisper. “The mark—it’s like I can sense you, even when you’re not touching me.”

Blade’s gaze softens, he reaches up, brushing his fingers over her cheek. “That’s the bond,” he explains, his voice a low murmur. “When I marked you, it created a connection between us. It’s more than just a physical mark—it’s a link that ties our souls together. I can feel you too, Rayne, no matter where you are.”

The weight of his words settles over her, there is a flutter of awe in her chest. She has never imagined anything like this, never imagined that someone could be so connected to another person. But as she gazes into Blade’s eyes, she knows that this is real, that the bond between them is something deeper and more profound than she has ever known.

“It’s… it’s strange, but it’s comforting too,” she admits, her fingers still tracing the mark. “Like I know I’m not alone anymore, like there’s a part of you with me now.”

Blade nods, a small smile curving his lips. “That’s exactly what it means. You’re not alone, Rayne. You never will be again.”

She feels a surge of emotion at his words, a sense of belonging that makes her eyes sting with unshed tears. She had spent so much of her life feeling isolated, like she was drifting through the world without a place to call home. But now, with Blade beside her, she feels grounded, tethered to something solid and unbreakable.

As the pulsing sensation in her mark continues, she finds herself admiring the way it makes her feel—not just connected to Blade, but almost stronger, as if his presence were a shield that wraps around her, protecting her from the darkness that lurks beyond. She can feel his warmth, his strength, radiating through the bond, and it fills her with a quiet confidence she had never known.

“What does this mean for us?” she asks, looking up at him, her eyes searching his for answers. “How does this change things?”

“It changes everything,” Blade replies, his tone serious. “You’re part of my world now, Rayne. The bond we share isn’t something that can be broken. It means I can protect you, even when I’m not with you. But it also means you’ll feel what I feel. You’ll know when I’m near, when I’m in danger.”

She swallows hard, the implications of his words settling over her. “And you’ll feel me too?”

He nods, his expression sombre. “Yes. That’s why I need you to be careful. I can protect you, but there are things in my world, things that are dangerous. And now that you bear my mark, those things might come for you too.”

Rayne takes a deep breath, steadying herself. She knows there is danger, that being with Blade means facing things she can barely comprehend. But the thought doesn’t frighten her—not as much as the idea of losing him, of being separated from the warmth and safety she feels in his arms.

“I can handle it,” she vows, her voice filled with quiet determination. “I don’t want to be afraid, Blade. Not if it means being with you.”

He looks at her with a mixture of pride and concern, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he leans down to kiss her again, soft and tender, a promise sealed between them. “Then I’ll be with you, Rayne,” he murmurs against her lips. “Every step of the way.”

As they lay together, Rayne can feel the bond between them pulsing stronger, a living thing that ties their fates together. She knows there will be challenges, knows that the world Blade speaks of is filled with darkness and danger. But with him beside her, she is ready to face it all, to embrace the unknown and find her place in a world that is as terrifying as it is beautiful.