Death of Darkness Quotes

“It storms when you make love?”
“Apparently.”
Turning back to the large warriors in the hallway, Leah flashed them all a grin. “Well then, boys, you’d better put your rain boots on. Because monsoon season is coming.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Adira squirmed in Leah’s arms, wanting down.

Leah lowered her until her little sneaker-clad feet touched the floor.

Adira toddled away, patting the garments that brushed her head and shoulders.
Straightening, Leah watched her for a moment, then turned back to Seth. “I guess I’ll get back to work.”

Was that disappointment he felt upon hearing her words? He really was enjoying her company.

Adira turned around and toddled back. Grasping Leah’s fingers, she reached out, took Seth’s hand, and placed Leah’s in it.

Seth instinctively curled his fingers around Leah’s.

Satisfied, Adira turned and toddled off once more.

“Oh,” Leah said with a surprised chuckle. “Well. Maybe not.”

Seth was surprised, too. What was Adira thinking?

He glanced at Leah. Should he apologize? “Sorry about that.”

“No worries,” she said with another charming smile. Raising their clasped hands, she turned them so his was on top and slid her free hand over it. “Oooh. Look how big your hand is.”

How many times had he heard Tracy or one of the other mortal women he frequently encountered think Oooh. Look how big his hands are. You know what they say: big hands, big feet, big package in much the same tone as Leah’s.

Seth couldn’t help it. He barked out a laugh.

Leah’s eyes widened. “Wait. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“It sounded as if you like that my hands are so big.”

She flushed. “I do, but I didn’t mean it like you think.”

“How do I think you meant it?” he asked with exaggerated innocence.

Face red, she laughed. “Stop making me blush. I just meant I like that you’re so big. Not just your hands. But all over.” Again her eyes widened. “I mean, not all over, but—”

Laughing, he took pity on her. “It’s all right. I understood what you meant the first time.”

Smiling, she squinted up at him. “You like to tease, don’t you?”

“Guilty as charged.” Many immortals did. It helped lighten what could otherwise be a dark existence.

She caressed his hand again, sending little tingles through it. “My hand actually looks small in yours. That’s so cool.”

It did. And the sensations her soft touch inspired unnerved him a bit. His pulse even picked up.

Seth eyed her curiously. “You really dislike your size so much?” He thought it a shame. She was a beautiful woman.

Shrugging, she released his hand and let hers fall to her sides. “When someone gives you a complex in high school, it tends to stick with you.”

Adira reappeared as if by magic. Taking Leah’s hand, she again placed it in Seth’s, then moved away.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Leah nodded after Adira. “Maybe she’s hoping I’ll distract you so she can take her time looking over the toys she plans to coax you into buying before you leave.”

Seth winked. “Or maybe she just heard you say you like my big hands.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Damn it, Zach.” Étienne groused. “She’s my sister. Don’t put those images in my head. That’s way too much information.” Richart grunted. “At least you didn’t teleport in and catch Lisette giving him a blow job.” Jenna flushed, having accompanied her husband on that particular occasion. Lisette’s eyes flashed bright amber. “I told you never to mention that again!”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Seth scowled and decreed sternly, “Do NOT read her mind, telepaths. I expressly forbid it. Zach, you and David may read Leah’s mind only in the case of a dire emergency. The rest of you may not. Do so against my wishes and you will suffer my wrath.”
Leah nodded somberly. “Seth told me that many of you see him as something of a father figure.” Leaning into his side, she gave his chest a little pat. “Trust me when I say you do NOT want to read my mind and see the kinky sh** daddy does in bed.”
Eyes widened as over a dozen mouths fell open.
Seth threw back his head and laughed.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“The golden light in his eyes grew brighter as a low rumbling sound filled her head. Seeming almost to vibrate through her, it set her body aflame.

“Oh sh**,” she whispered. “That’s so hot.”

“What is?” he murmured.

“You just made this sort of low, growly sound in my head.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“That just makes it hotter.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Seth ditched his pants.
Her eyes widened.
“Don’t say it,” he warned as he knelt on the edge of the bed.
“Don’t say what?” she asked, still staring at the hard length that strained toward her.
Grasping her delicate ankles, he eased her legs apart. “Big hands, big feet…”
Her lips twitched as she met his gaze. “Fine. I’ll just think it.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Here. “ She shoved three large towels at his chest. “Get out of those wet clothes and dry off. Don’t worry,” she promised with a grin. “I’m not going to take advantage of you.”
He actually smiled then. “Would you be offended if I expressed disappointment?”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“You have a caller.”
“Leah from Little Gifts?”
“Yes.”
“She came to see me?”
“Why does she want to see me?”
David’s deep brown eyes danced with suppressed laughter. “Perhaps because she likes your big hands.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“#1 of 2 Leah munched another chip as she watched a couple on-screen race madly away from men with guns who were intent on killing them. She and Seth sat shoulder to shoulder on the sofa, both slumped down until they were practically lying on their backs. Seth had pulled the matching ottoman up against the sofa, so it really did feel as if they were lying in bed together, watching a movie.
She slid him a covert glance.
He had donned black cargo pants and a black T-shirt after his shower but had left his big feet bare. He had also left his hair loose. It now spilled over the back of the sofa in a glossy curtain, the thick wavy tresses still drying.
He chuckled at something the male protagonist said.
Leah smiled. She loved seeing him laugh. She didn’t think he did so as often as he should.
Every once in a while, she noticed his gaze would slide to her legs. Her feet were propped on the ottoman close to his. The robe she had borrowed had parted just above her knees and fallen back, leaving most of her legs bare. And that pale flesh repeatedly drew Seth’s attention.
She held the bag of chips out to him.
Smiling, unaware that the faint golden light of desire illuminated his eyes, he poked his hand in and drew out a couple of chips.
She smiled back, then returned her attention to the screen.
The protagonists had at last made it to safety. They checked each other over for wounds, something both had miraculously escaped incurring in true Hollywood fashion. Then they fell into each other’s arms, finally giving in to the lust that had sparked between them ever since their first contentious meeting.
Leah sighed as she watched them peel each other’s clothes off with eager hands. It made her want to do the same with Seth. Her body even began to respond as her imagination kicked in. “I miss sex.” The words were out of her mouth before she could question the wisdom of speaking them.
“I do, too,” Seth confessed.
She glanced over at him and found his eyes glued to the screen.
More so since I met you.
Her eyes widened when his voice sounded in her head. “Really?”
“Yes.” The actors on-screen fell naked onto the bed and began to simulate sex, their moans and groans and cries of passion filling the room. “It’s natural to miss it,” he said matter-of-factly. “Nothing to feel guilty about.”
“No. I mean, you really miss it more since you met me?”
He froze. A look of dismay crossed his features as he cut her a glance. “I said that out loud?”
“No. I heard it in my head.”
Sh**.
She grinned. “I heard that, too.”
F**k.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Tonight, when the walls started closing in on me, I figured a drive in the country might be nice because I couldn’t think of anything else to do. Then I got here, you opened the door, and I thought: Oh crap, he’s going to think I’m a total stalker.”

“Not at all.” Seth raised their clasped hands and grinned. “I merely assumed you wanted to see my big hands again.”

Laughing, she gave his shoulder a shove. “You’re such a tease!”

His heart lightened. “Admitted without shame.”

“Well, I’ll forgive you,” she quipped, “because you’re letting me hold your hand.” Drawing their clasped hands closer to her face, she cupped her free hand over them and smoothed circles over his as she assumed a comical expression of amazement. “Oooooooh. So big,” she breathed.

Seth laughed.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“He took so much upon himself to try to spare others. When she would’ve loosened her hold to look up at him, he tightened his arms around her.

“Let me hold you a little longer,” he whispered.

Nodding, she relaxed against him.

Several minutes passed while they just held each other.

“You make everything better, Leah,” he murmured.

Warmth burrowed through her chest, straight to her heart. “You do, too.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“You did it again,” she declared breathlessly as he lowered her feet to the tile floor. “You made the earth move.”
He shook his head with a wince. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t apologize. I enjoyed it immensely. And now that I know making love with you could end the drought that has stricken the area, I think it my solemn duty to nail you as often as I can.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Leah,” he whispered. Heart slamming against his ribs, he knelt beside her.
She glanced at his hand on her breast. “C-cradle robber,” she accused with a faint smile. “If I’d kn-known that was all I had to do to get you to feel me up, I w-would’ve gotten shot sooner.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Leah motioned to his body. “I have news for you, Seth. This form is far from ordinary.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“That’s the first time a man has ever kissed my hand,” she confided.
“Shameful,” David declared.
“A travesty,” Seth agreed.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Wow. You gotta come look at this guy. Seriously. He is freaking hot.”
The bell above the door at the front of the shop dinged again.
“Okay, now I’m a two-timing bitch,” Brittney declared, “because another guy just walked in and I’m totally in love with him, too.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“# 2 of 2 She laughed. “Stop cursing.”
He grimaced. “Forgive me. It’s just… I seem to be inadvertently letting my guard down more and more around you.”
“I like it when you let your guard down around me.” Her words appeared to do little to alleviate his concern though. “Is that so unusual? Don’t you let your guard down around your brethren?”
He shook his head. “I have always spoken freely with David. Ami too, sometimes. But I’ve never broadcast my thoughts to either of them without meaning to. I haven’t done that since—” He broke off, seeming disinclined to continue.
“Since your wife?” she asked gently.
He nodded.
That was telling.
He watched her uncertainly.
Did he worry she would freak out over his mentioning the wife he’d lost?
He hadn’t freaked out when she had mentioned the husband she’d lost.
“Whatever thoughts you send my way I won’t betray,” she promised.
Thank you.
She grinned when his baritone voice once more filled in her head. “That is so cool. You aren’t reading my thoughts, are you?”
“No.”
“Good.”
His lips curled up in a slow smile. “Why? What would I find if I did? What are you thinking?”
She swallowed. Did she dare tell him? “This may sound weird, but hearing your voice in my head totally turns me on.” Beneath the robe, her nipples had hardened. Other parts of her tingled. Her pulse raced. “And I’m sort of fixating on the fact that you’ve been missing sex more since you met me. Because I’ve been missing sex a lot more since I met you.”
The golden light in his eyes grew brighter as a low rumbling sound filled her head. Seeming almost to vibrate through her, it set her body aflame.
“Oh sh**,” she whispered. “That’s so hot.”
“What is?” he murmured.
“You just made this sort of low, growly sound in my head.” And it had affected her as much as stroking all of her erogenous zones at once would have.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“That just makes it even hotter.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“She tapped on the bathroom door. “Ready for clothes?”

The door swung inward.

Leah stared. “Holy crap.” Seth was naked, save for a towel he had wrapped around his hips. And his body was pure perfection. His arms and legs both bore beautiful, thick muscle. But not too thick like some of the bodybuilders she’d seen whose arms and legs were so bulky they couldn’t rest their arms against their sides and seemed to walk bowlegged. Seth was built more like a professional basketball player. Broad shoulders. A well-developed chest. Even his abs rippled with muscle and begged to be touched.

Realizing she had been staring—aka drooling—she looked up at him. “Seriously, how are you still single?”

But Seth wasn’t looking at her face. His eyes were fastened on her body.

Her breath caught when a faint golden glow illuminated his dark brown irises.

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” he murmured, his voice deeper than usual and husky with what she thought might be desire.

A thrill rippling through her, Leah glanced down. Her eyes widened.

The rain that had found its way past the awning out front had plastered her pajamas to her skin, rendering them nearly transparent.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“Shaking his head, he closed the distance between them. “Don’t tempt me, minx.”

She grinned unrepentantly. “Think it would shock your fellow immortals if I made a habit of grabbing your ass in their presence?”

Again he laughed. “Everything you do where I’m concerned shocks my fellow immortals.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“I can shape-shift.”

Leah blinked and tried very hard not to gape again. That was definitely a doozy. “Like a werewolf?”

“Yes. But it’s entirely voluntary and has nothing to do with the moon. I can also shift into the shape of any living creature I wish to, not just that of a wolf. And I’m still me,” he hastened to assure her, “when I take an animal’s form. I don’t start thinking like an animal or anything like that.”

She stared at him.

“Leah?”

“Yeah. You’re going to have to show me that one.”

He released her hand. “Is there any animal in particular you’d like me to change into?”
She shook her head. “Just… something that won’t make me pee my pants.”

He laughed.”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness

“He strolled through the store to the back room.
Leah sat at a desk, staring at a computer screen that displayed a spreadsheet of some sort. “Give me two minutes,” she mumbled, her tone distracted, “then I’ll be done.”
Seth leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. She wore glasses tonight. He had never seen her do so before and wondered if she needed them for reading and close-up work the way many humans did once they reached their forties. The frames were black, reminding him of those that had been popular in the sixties. Her long hair was pulled back in a slightly disheveled bun. The jeans and blazer she’d apparently changed into before going back to work hugged her beautiful figure.
She had, as Sheldon would say, a real sexy-librarian thing going on that heated Seth’s blood. The longer he watched her, the more he wanted to touch her, to peel that blazer off, loosen her hair, and—
“Finally,” she announced with a sigh. Closing the file, she removed her glasses and spun the chair around to face him. When she looked at him, her eyebrows flew up. “Hi.”
“Hello.”
She studied him for a moment. “Something on your mind?”
Aside from a deep desire to strip her naked?”
― Dianne Duvall, Death of Darkness