Author's Notes: I want to thank everyone who has reviewed or alerted this story. It means more than I can say that you all are enjoying this story as much as I am writing it. Now I have to thank my fanfuckingtastic beta ARedheadThing. She's the real reason that I'm writing this, because she pokes and prods and encourages. I love every moment of it. Enjoy the chapter everyone!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark Hunter world or characters. If I did, you'd NEVER see me.

Chase The Night

Chapter Three

"If you are Acheron's daughter, then why are you here? Come to view the side-show freak?" Nick hadn't moved since Ryssa dropped her bomb. Long minutes passed between them before he finally spoke. He had been aware that Ash had children, though he never made an effort to find out how many or what they were doing. He avoided Ash as much as he was able. Twenty five years of an uneasy truce had done nothing to ease the anger and hatred he felt towards his former friend. They existed together, peacefully, but Nick stayed out of Ash's way to keep that peace.

Ryssa turned back to him from where she was admiring a painting of Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. It was a nice piece of work, but it was done by Sunshine, so of course it was good. She really wasn't surprised by Nick's reaction to learning that Acheron was her father. She had expected it. If he had welcomed her with open arms, then she would have been worried. After all, they were what amounted to mortal enemies.

The petulant tone in his voice made him sound like a child. Well she had no interest into playing into his self pity party. "I don't consider you a side-show freak. Just another Dark Hunter who is a little more special. Come on, you are practically a legend."

Nick snorted at that. "Legend my ass."

"Do you not pay attention to the things that are said about you?" she asked softly.

"It's just talk, which doesn't mean jack to me," Nick snapped.

At that Ryssa arched a brow. "So the rumors I've heard all my life about you being the one who gets Dark Hunter's souls back from Artemis is just talk? No truth to it?" When he didn't say anything, she sighed and shook her head.

"Since you aren't a Dark Hunter, I don't see how that is any of your business." Nick was severely unnerved now. She knew things that weren't common knowledge. He refused to believe that Ash, one of the few people to know the truth, would just share that knowledge with his daughter.

"Of course not, I was just raised on the knees of Dark Hunters. I don't know anything about them," Ryssa drawled sarcastically, widening her eyes for affect.

"How do they put up with you?" Nick asked, annoyed over how she just brushed off his surliness.

"I'm an acquired taste I've been told," Ryssa commented nonchalantly.

"Obviously." Nick held up the coffee and pastries. "You can leave now."

"You know," Ryssa said, cocking her head to the side, "you aren't very nice."

"I'm not paid to be nice," Nick shot back.

"That much is clear."

Nick watched as she wandered into his den. Growling, he followed her. "I said you can leave."

"In a bit," Ryssa said absently.

"You don't listen very well, do you?"

"My father laments over that daily."

"I'm surprised you are even here, given how I feel about Ash."

"Why be surprised? It isn't like you are going to hurt me." Ryssa walked to the fireplace and examined the pictures on the mantle. They were all of Nick and Cherise Gautier in various poses.

Nick came up behind her, crowding into her personal space. Ryssa felt her breath catch in her throat when she felt the brush of his chest against her back. She inhaled sharply and pulled in scents of manly spice, leather, and oil. She should have been annoyed by the invasion, instead all she felt was heat and a tightening in her stomach.

"I could," Nick whispered in her ear, his voice low and deep.

Ryssa forced herself to relax. The brush of his breath against her ear sent shivers down her back. "But you won't."

"You can't know that." Nick was finding it hard to focus. He had meant to scare her into leaving. But she smelled of honey, vanilla, and sea air. It was an inviting scent, one that would cling to his memories.

Ryssa turned and raised her head to meet his eyes. She wished he would take his sunglasses off so that she could see his eyes. Their bodies were lightly touching, and her heart hammered in her chest. Never had she felt like this before in the presence of a man. No man had ever made her pulse race, her heart pound. From the way he looked at her, the twitching of his lips, the flaring of his nostrils, he knew exactly how he was affecting her.

"When I was younger, my mother told me a story when I asked about you," Ryssa said conversationally, doing her best to pretend that being this close wasn't making her head spin. "Dad was upset over something, and I was curious. She told me that when her and Dad met, Satara had her captured. Satara, being the nasty bitch she was, offered Mom to you. The best way to humiliate Dad, taking his woman. Instead of raping her and getting your revenge, you killed Satara and helped get Mom out of Kalosis."

Nick stiffened as she spoke, unwanted memories coming back. He should have done it. If he hadn't been so damn weak, remembering how disappointed his mother would have been in him, he could have had his revenge against Ash years ago. Now his daughter was bringing it all back. His voice was clipped as he said, "Is there a point to this story?"

"Just that that is how I know you won't hurt me," Ryssa said with a shrug, making her breasts heave and rub against his chest. Her nipples pebbled from the friction, and she sucked in a breath.

Nick was not ignorant of the effect, but he ignored it. He'd gotten good at ignoring a body's responses, such as the tightening in his groin at the inadvertent contact. "You don't know that, I might have changed. Maybe I'm over all that honor bullshit."

"If that was the case, then you would have hurt me the minute you found out who my father was." Ryssa turned from him and went back to her study of the painting. She felt Nick's anger at her dismissal. It was a flash of heat against her back and against her will, her body tensed. Had she misjudged him? Was her cockiness going to cost her? Then a second later it faded, and she felt Nick step away from her.

"So, what is it you want to know?" Nick asked, trying to bring the conversation back to why she was there.

"Wow, you mean you are going to answer my questions? I'm shocked," Ryssa teased.

Nick smiled despite himself. "Depends on the questions, but yes."

He found he liked her company. He had cut himself off from contact with others for so long, that the potential of conversation with someone he didn't have to hide behind half truths with was intriguing. In fact, now that she was here, he didn't want her to leave. He yearned for the contact.

Ryssa frowned due to the sudden acceptance but shrugged it off. She'd question it later. Now she was in a position that a lot of people would kill for. For years people in her circles wondered about Nick. He had completely cut himself off from people after the last battle with Noir and Azura. He talked to only a few and kept contact with the Dark Hunter world to a minimum. He became a mystery. An enigma.

Not even her father talked about him. At least not within her hearing. Ryssa asked the first question that came to mind. "Do you really hate my father?"

Nick's glare was so sharp and cutting that Ryssa cursed herself. She couldn't believe she asked that. She had planned on keeping her father out of it. It was too late to back out of it now. She refused to look away. She had nothing to be ashamed of, and it was an honest question. She felt she had a right to know since it was her father he hated.

"I don't think that is any of your business," Nick said hoarsely.

"Quite the contrary. It is my business. He is my father," Ryssa retorted quickly. "But if you are afraid-"

Nick's scornful laugh cut her off. "Little girl, I am not afraid of anything."

"And I am not a little girl."

Nick's eyes raked over her, and she felt the heat from his gaze. "No, I don't suppose you are."

Ryssa made a face as she caught wind of his thoughts. "Given your dislike of my father, I very much doubt I'll ever go to bed with you. Though, I give you points on creativity. I haven't quite thought of doing that before. Interesting."

Nick's eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses. "How are you able to do that? My thoughts are shielded."

"Answer my question first," Ryssa countered.

"Fine, I do. I hate Acheron. He destroyed my life. My mother was murdered because of him. I died because of him. I'm stuck in this existence because of him. I hate him, and nothing will ever change my mind. One day I will kill him; end of the world be damned." From the calm way he spoke you would think he was merely commenting on the weather instead of confessing his undying hatred for Ryssa's father.

She nodded. "Okay then."

"That's it? You aren't going to rant and rave and say it isn't his fault, that he isn't to blame?" Nick asked, confused by her easy acceptance.

Ryssa shrugged one shoulder. "Would you believe me if I did?"

"No."

"Then why waste my breath? Besides, I know the story. My father has always been honest with me. I know what happened, and what was said. He told me and my siblings about it to make a point. He made a mistake. Everyone, even gods, make mistakes. But it doesn't excuse him. Sorry won't make it all better, but I'm sorry that you hate him because he truly regrets what he said."

"Regrets won't change anything either."

"True," Ryssa acknowledged with a nod. "They won't. But doesn't holding on to all that hatred make you miserable?"

"It gives me something to live for."

"That is a very sad way to live," Ryssa said with sympathy lacing her voice.

Nick stiffened at her words and gave her a cold look, the chill being felt all the way to her bones. "How did you read my mind?"

Ryssa, taken back by the change of subject, sank down in a wing back chair. "I'm a goddess."

"Bullshit. There are only two people who can get past my shields."

"Guess that makes three now," Ryssa said glibly. At his growl, she sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. My talents aren't focused on telepathy so I'm as lost as you are. I'll ask Savitar next time I see him."

"Not your father?"

Ryssa wrinkled her nose. "Uh, no. For your sake more than mine."

"I'm not afraid of him."

"I didn't say you had to be. But Dad is a little unreasonable when it comes to me and my siblings. Let's not take any chances." Ryssa drew her legs up under her. "You know, this is a very cozy house."

"It isn't supposed to be cozy," Nick said out of reflex. He actually agreed with her. He'd deny it if anyone else said it, but he tried very hard to keep the warmth that was in the house when his mother lived here. It was a tribute to her. Instead of it being a house to just live in, he made it a home. It was a contradiction to the hard ass image he projected, but until Ryssa, no one had been inside the house. He never took on a Squire, and with good reason.

Ryssa slanted a look his way. "Why do you were sunglasses?"

"Because it looks cool," Nick said sarcastically.

"Take them off," Ryssa ordered.

Nick snorted. "Sorry, cher, I don't take orders."

"Please. I want to see your eyes." She wanted to see the man behind the eyes. She had to. She couldn't explain why, but she wanted to see the real him. It was all very confusing.

There was something about her voice that compelled him. The soft lilt and the slight pleading in her voice touched a part of him he believed to be untouchable. Meeting her gaze, he reached up slowly and pulled the glasses off. His eyes were closed, and Ryssa felt her breath catch in her throat when he opened them for her to see.

Dark Hunters in general had dark black eyes. Her father was an exception with his swirling silver eyes, though technically he wasn't really a Dark Hunter since he was a god and still had his soul. It seemed that Nick was another exception as well. His pupils were black with flecks of silver and red. The iris was swirling silver with streaks of red bleeding out to the whites. They were unlike anything she had seen before, and, as a goddess she'd seen a lot over the years. Ryssa could see why he'd keep them covered up; it was unnerving to watch the silver swirl around the red, which kept shifting.

"How?" she asked, with a small gesture towards his eyes.

Nick's lips quirked into a sardonic smile. "Oddly enough, my Malachi powers protect me from Stryker, though hints of his powers remain. Because of that and my Dark Hunter powers, I can't quite make myself look completely normal. My eyes are the one thing I can't conceal."

Ryssa made a soft 'oh' sound. "I can see why you'd wear sunglasses, it could be disconcerting to mortals."

"And those that aren't mortal," Nick said with a sneer.

"Well, they don't bother me," she said firmly, and she meant it. Eyes were eyes. Windows to the soul, and now that she could see his eyes plainly, she could see that he was not as gruff and harsh as he pretended to be. There was warmth hidden in the depths, along with pain and yearning.

She rose from her chair and walked over to him. Nick watched her, his back tense, unsure of what she meant to do. Ryssa curled her hand in a fist then raised it slowly, fingers trembling slightly. Nick felt the first brush of her fingertips across his cheek. Then the touch moved up, brushing aside a lock of hair that fell into his eyes. Ryssa's silver eyes were carefully blank as she gazed into his eyes.

Then she slid her hand down his cheek and across his jaw. Nick blinked as she dragged her fingers down his neck and through his hair. Ryssa smiled and pulled away. She stepped back, the small smile still on her lips.

"What was that about?" Nick asked hoarsely. His body felt like it had been set on fire. A raging torment set off by her gentle caress. He was achingly stiff, and the pressure of his pants against his dick was uncomfortable.

"I wanted to see," Ryssa said simply.

"See what?"

She tucked her hands into her pocket. "What life has in store for you. It's one of my gifts. I can, with a touch, see glimpses of the future and of the past."

"What did you see?"

Her voice turned sad. "A lot of heartache and confusion. You've reached a crossroads, Nick Gautier, and only you can choose the path. Rise in the light or fall to the darkness, only you can save yourself."

Nick shook his head. "That's cryptic bullshit, almost as bad as an oracle."

Ryssa threw her head back and laughed. "I think I've been insulted. Don't worry, I think you'll do just fine. You may try and hide it, but you've a good heart. I can see why my Dad has such faith in you."

Nick suppressed a snarl. The last thing he wanted was a reminder of Ash, not when the man's daughter had the ability to make him go hard as a rock with just a touch. The last thing he wanted was to get tangled up with another of Ash's daughters, especially his blood daughter, but it was hard to deny what he felt. Pure, raging lust.

Something in the room changed, and Ryssa felt it almost immediately. The air felt thicker, and it was harder to breathe. She didn't understand why, but she found she couldn't look away from Nick. Not when he held her so firmly in his gaze. He stalked towards her, muscles rippling with every movement. In a moment of clarity, she knew what a antelope must feel like when a lion is after it.

Tension and something undefinable raced through her body as Nick stopped in front of her, the fronts of their bodies touching. Her lips parted, and her breath came out shallow and fast as his hands came up to frame her face. She felt strength in them and warmth. Ryssa leaned into the touch, her eyes closing. Images raced through her mind. Images of Nick after he was turned, images of the future. Of them. Her body trembled as she saw him take her to his bed.

"What did you see earlier?" Nick asked softly, staring down at her face. It had softened, and when he looked at her he didn't see his enemy's daughter; he saw a woman, beautiful, and with the power to stagger him.

Ryssa's eyes flew open, and she swallowed the gasp at having him so close. Even though she knew what he was talking about, she asked, "Earlier when?"

Nick's thumb brushed over her lips, sending shivers down her spine. "In the alley, before you blasted me and took off?"

"Oh, that," she said weakly. "Nothing much."

"Don't lie to me. You saw something."

"I did, but it was nothing. Just something that startled me. I...I should go," Ryssa said shaking her head to clear it. Whatever was happening here, it was dangerous. Something was changing, happening, and if she allowed it, it would send her world into a tailspin. She wasn't ready for whatever it was that Nick was doing to her. Not nearly ready for it.

"Ryssa." Nick's voice was compelling and instead of stepping away like she ought to have, she found herself looking up into his eyes.

It was possible to get lost in those black, red, and silver eyes. They held you, like glue. Try as she may, she couldn't look away. She didn't want to. She wanted to stay lost in them forever.

Nick saw something flash in her eyes. Staring into eyes so much like Ash's should have been infuriating. Instead it was just mind numbing. Every coherent thought he had left. Every ounce of common sense was gone. His eyes trailed down her face, fixating on her lips. Lush and full, they beckoned him. He wanted to taste her.

Ryssa saw in his mind what he was going to do seconds before he did it. She had the time to pull away, to flash out of there. This was wrong. So wrong on so many levels. But it felt completely right. She held herself still as Nick's lips descended on hers. The first touch was light, tasting. He retreated, and she opened her eyes in time to see the change in his. What was curiosity turned to wanton desire.

His arms went around her, pulling her against him. She slapped her hands against his shoulders, intending on pushing him away. She swallowed a moan at how firm he felt under her touch and curled her fingers in his shirt to pull him closer. She was pressed so tightly against him and felt every inch of his hard body against hers. His lips crushed hers in a hot, hungry kiss. This time she moaned and leaned against him.

It was like drinking the most potent wine, Nick thought as he devoured her mouth. It tasted so good and went straight to your head. When she moaned, his tongue darted out, sliding against her lower lip, then dipping into her mouth. She tasted of rich coffee and sugar, and it was the most intoxicating combination. He nipped at her lower lip, pulling it between his teeth, stroking it with his tongue.

Ryssa had never been kissed like this. Nick possessed her, sent her mind reeling. Her body ached with a heaviness she had never felt before. No one had ever dared to kiss her like this, never dared to make her feel like her body was owned by someone other than herself. She'd been kissed before, light, playful kisses. It was nothing compared to this.

This was the kind of kiss that made the world explode and stand still all at the same time. The kind that curled your toes and made your head spin. It was a kiss most women would go their whole lives hoping for and never get. When Ryssa was younger, she had asked her mother what it was liked to be kissed by someone who loved you completely. Tory had said that it was heartstopping and fire in your veins. Exactly what Ryssa was feeling right now with Nick's lips crushing hers.

That realization was like being drenched in cold water. With a cry, she wrenched herself away from Nick and out of his hold. Her lips felt hot and swollen as she stared at him with something akin to horror. Nick was flushed, desire written all over him, and he didn't bother to hide it.

"Ryssa," he said, voice heavy with passion that was unknown to him. He had no idea what happened here. No woman ever made him feel like this. He had only a taste, a small sampling, and he wanted more. He craved more. He wanted to feel her flesh under him, wanted to touch and taste that softness, wanted to make her scream his name as she came.

Ryssa jumped back away from him when he reached for her. She could read his thoughts, and he didn't even have to ask her to come to his bed. She shook her head violently. "No! I can't do this. I can't. I have to go. I shouldn't be here." She gave him one confused, agonized look and disappeared before he could protest.

Nick stared at the space Ryssa had just occupied. Desire gave way to anger. He had put himself out there, told her things when he shouldn't have. She had made him feel for the first time in years. She had made him want a woman for more than just the physical release. And in a moment of trust, when he kissed her, all her words about not fearing him, about not being scared, about not viewing him as a freak were washed away. She ran like others had. Ran and left him feeling empty and angry.

The spoiled bitch. She hadn't meant anything she said. She had been playing him, and when things had gone to far, she cut out. Stupid worthless bitch. Nick's hands curled into fists as his power surged around him. His skin looked like it was bleeding, red creeping up to cover his body. Black inked over the red in ancient symbols. He would make her pay for the slight. He was the Malachi, and no one treated him like she did.

The power faded, his body returning to normal as his mind worked. Nick was more upset with himself than he was Ryssa. Hadn't he learned that he couldn't trust anyone? That everyone would turn on him, given the time and opportunity. And she was Ash's blood, which meant betrayal ran through her veins. Like father, like daughter.

Ryssa was Acheron's daughter. Through her he could get his revenge on Ash. Ash had taken what was most dear to him so he would do the same. What happened between them was proof that Ryssa wasn't immune to him. She had felt something, and that could be used against her. Nick was tired of waiting, tired of hiding his hatred. It was time to end things. And Ryssa would help him do that, one way or another.

Acheron's time was coming to an end.

Author's Notes: You have no idea how much fun I had writing these two. Literally wrote this chapter in a few hours. I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. If you did, or if you didn't, let me know. Hit that review button. I appreciate all feedback. Ciao for now!