Blood Hunger (An Adult Paranormal Romance) (Deathless Night Series #1) (27 page)

     Fuck the sun. “Emma?”

   
 
Silence.

     “Emma?” he yelled a little louder this time. Still, no answer. She’d promised she wouldn’t go far. That she would only be a minute. Fear hit him hard in the chest as his worst nightmare unfolded before his eyes.

     “Emma!” He pushed the branches back a bit, ignoring the smoke and sizzling coming from his hand and arm. “EMMA!!!”

   
 
The birds sang happily in the sunshine, mocking his fear. He looked as far as he could see in either direction, but saw nothing but trees and sun-dappled grassy patches on the uneven ground. He jumped back from the light before it was too late, invisible hands squeezing his heart in terror.

     A thunderous roar reverberated through the tunnel and into the cavern, dislodging loose debris from the ceiling and waking Aiden, who came instantly at a dead run through the dusty air. 

     “Nik? Nikulas! What’s wrong, mate? What is it?” His best friends’ arms and face and part of his chest were red and blistered. Even blackened in places. And that was just what he could see through the burned patches of his clothes.

     As he watched, Nik put his head down and charged the entrance with a roar, throwing himself into the branches that disguised it. Fighting his body’s natural instinct to stay far away from the sunlight, he could only make it out far enough to expose his top half.

     Once out as far as he could go, he bellowed for Emma at the top of his lungs. He retreated only after flames broke out on his skin, just to slap them out and do it all over again.

     “What did you do to her now?” Not surprisingly, there was no response whatsoever from the deranged vampire throwing himself into the sunlight.

     During his third observation of this behavior, Aiden concluded it was time for him to step in and stop all of this nonsense. As Nik jumped back inside, staggering back into the wall and slapping out flames, Aiden tackled him before he could manage to throw himself back out there and do any further damage.

     Rolling around on the ground, Nik roared with frustration as he tried to rip Aiden off of him. But Aiden clung to him like a suction cup. “Nikulas! Stop! You’re not accomplishing anything by turning yourself into a barbecue.”

   
 
Screaming with rage, Nik threw himself onto his back on top of Aiden, trying to break his friend’s hold. “Let go of me, you fucking asshole!”

   
 
Aiden was quick to discover that dealing with a mated vampire terrified for his female was no easy task, but luckily, he was well practiced in wrestling with Nikulas. Wrapping his arms and legs around him, he hung on tight while Nik slammed him into any surface he could find, trying to dislodge him.

     So not happening.

     After a good three or four minutes of this, Aiden’s bones were bruised and his ears hurt from all of the bellowing and cursing. He decided he’d had quite enough.

     “Nikulas,” he yelled in his ear, “if you don’t stop, I’m going to rip off both your bloody legs! Then how are you going to get to Emma while you’re stuck here regenerating them?”

***

     Nik ceased immediately, knowing damn well that Aiden meant every word. He
would
rip his legs off. This he knew from experience. He’d done it when Luukas disappeared to keep Nik from going off on a suicide mission to save his brother. The bastard. It had just been one leg then, but growing it back fucking hurt like hell. And it took forever.

     They lay there in the middle of the tunnel, Aiden wrapped around him like a parasite, catching their breath.

     When Nik’s chest stopped heaving and his body relaxed a bit, Aiden finally spoke, “All right?”

   
 
“Yeah, I’m good,” Nik gritted out.

     As Aiden loosened his hold, Nik shoved him away and scooted back on his ass until he collapsed up against the wall. His face, chest and arms were black and blistered, but he barely felt it. He couldn’t feel anything except the fear running through him. He wasn’t sure if it was all his, or his fear and Emma’s combined. Just the thought of her hurt and afraid…

   
 
Blinking his charred eyelids, he tried unsuccessfully to focus on his friend. “She’s gone.” His voice was hoarse from yelling. “She just stepped outside to piss. She said she’d only be a minute. That she’d stay right by the entrance. But she didn’t come back!”

   
 
His entire body shook with fear and the effort it was taking him to sit still.  “She didn’t come back. She wouldn’t have just left. She’s not fucking stupid! She wouldn’t have left me. She’s hurt! Or something’s taken her…” He couldn’t finish the sentence. Just thinking about someone or something hurting her infuriated the invisible hands squeezing his heart in his chest and he gasped, struggling to breathe.

     Aiden tried to find an unburned area to pat consolingly, finally settling on a muscular thigh. “Don’t fret, mate. Emma’s tougher than she looks. And we’ll find her. As soon as the sun sets, we’ll head out, and you’ll be able to find her.” As long as she wasn't too far away…and still alive. “But there’s nothing to do for it now.”

   
 
Standing up, he held out a hand to Nik. “Come on then, let’s get you back together. You’re in no condition to play the knight like this.” Belatedly realizing that Nik couldn’t see his proffered hand through his burned eyes, and that he wouldn’t be able to grab it anyway, he let his arm fall back down to his side. “Do you have any more of that bagged rubbish laying around?”

   
 
Staggering to his feet, Nik pushed Aiden off when he tried to help him. “Yeah. It’s in my pack.” Hands held out in front of him, he bounced off both walls before finally careening off towards the cavern.

***

     Shaking his head at this obvious display of male pussy-whippedness, Aiden meandered along behind at a more leisurely pace.

     Oh yes, he knew
exactly
what they’d been doing while they were gone yesterday. He’d smelled them on each other as soon as he’d gotten within twenty feet of them. And he thought it was smashing.

     He smiled to himself. Yes, he was happy his obstinate friend had finally given in and stopped fighting what was meant to be. Maybe now he would stop being so bloody cranky.

     His smile faded…or maybe not.

     Especially if Nik was going to insist on behaving like this over every little thing. The only reason his friend hadn’t succeeded in roasting himself before he arrived was because of the resilience her blood provided him.

     He did hope Emma was ok though. He’d grown rather fond of the cheeky little twit.

     Emma sputtered with rage as she was unceremoniously dumped facedown out of the burlap sac she’d been thrust into, right onto the cold ground. Lifting her head and pushing her hair out of her face, she saw she was in the middle of a small clearing. Spitting out dirt and leaves, she struggled to stand up and brushed off her clothes, turning her frustration on the idiots who’d grabbed her.

     “Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t just…just…” Her anger faded right along with any thread of coherent thought as she straightened up, pushed the remaining hair out of her face, and got her first good look at her captors. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

   
 
She blinked in the bright sunlight, not trusting what she was seeing. Standing in front of her were three of the most beautiful, potently masculine males she’d ever laid her eyes on.

     Or her anything on, for that matter.

     With expressions ranging from amused to downright hostile, they blatantly returned her scrutiny, eyeing her up and down as she returned the favor.

     Dressed similarly in jeans, T-shirts, and hiking boots, each one of them was at least 6’2”, and built like they could toss cars around with ease, with the one in front standing closer to 6’7”.

    
That
one stood tall and ramrod straight. His long, black hair pulled back harshly from his chiseled face, with its strong, square jaw and broad cheekbones. His arms were crossed in front of his massive chest, muscles bulging, as he regarded her with bright blue eyes so pale they nearly looked white. They blazed at her from under the dark slashes of his brows, almost mesmerizing her with their intensity.

     Correctly guessing that he was the leader of the pack, she gave him her full attention. “Who are you? And why have you taken me?” she demanded.

     He ran those unsettling eyes up and down her slender frame once again. There was no malice in his gaze, just a calm curiosity. “Feisty little lass, isna’ she?” he said to the redheaded god closest to him. His deep voice rumbled up from his chest, sending sensual shivers across her skin.

     “Aye.” Red had blue eyes also, though the color was deeper. They reminded her of a stormy blue ocean, and just as intelligent and intense, if not as striking, as his leaders’.

     Emma bristled with irritation as they stood there looking at her like she was some sort of freak show attraction. She stiffened her spine. “I would appreciate it if you would not talk about me as if I weren’t here.”

   
 
The leader gave her a half smile, a slight dimple showing as he did so. “My apologies. What’s yer name, lassie?”

   
 
She gave him a skeptical look. “You kidnap me and you don’t even know my name?”

   
 
His smile widened slightly. “Not only are ye bonnie, but ye’re smart too. However, you truly have me at a disadvantage, as I don’t ken your name. But if you'll be a sweet lassie 'n' tell me, I will tell
ye
what we are.
”

   
 
His heavy Scottish brogue gave her a moment’s pause, but she could get the gist of what he was saying. Not seeing any harm in telling him, especially if it would get her more information about whom she was dealing with, she said, “Emma. My name is Emma.”

   
 
“Emma. That’s a bonnie name for a bonnie lass.” Uncrossing his arms, he bowed formally at the waist, the perfect gentleman.

     She narrowed her eyes at him.

     Straightening up again and giving his head a toss to throw his long ponytail back over his shoulder, he introduced himself. “They call me Cedric Kincaid. Leader o' the Kincaid pack.” Indicating the males to either side of him, he introduced them.  “This one with the red locks is Lucian. 'N' this handsome, green-eyed devil is Duncan.”

   
 
Lucian gave her a stern nod, while Duncan gave her a lusty wink and a broad grin. He was obviously the friendlier of the two.

     Wait a minute. “Pack?” Emma asked. “Don’t you mean ‘clan’?”

   
 
“No. I'm the leader o' the northwest
pack
. We’re werewolves, you see.” He smiled again, showing off strong, white teeth and long dimples in a smile that would make any girl swoon.

     He let his words sink in.

     “We…wer…Werewolves?” she stuttered. Had she misunderstood him?

     “Aye. Werewolves,” he confirmed with a firm nod.

     Emma swayed on her feet, barely managing to step back out of his reach when he put a hand out to steady her. She’d half-thought Nikulas had just been messing with her when he’d told her about the “wolves”. And maybe when she was younger, before she’d ever seen the things that she’d seen, she would’ve laughed in their faces.

     But now…well, now…She blinked until she could focus again and took a closer look at them. They stared at her as one, gazes steady and direct. Holy shit. They weren’t lying.

     “Dinna look so worried, we won’t hurt ye, lassie.” Tall, dark, and yummy informed her nobly. “You came here with Nik 'n' the daft one? Aye?”

   
 
What had he just said? Something about Nik? “You know Nik and Aiden?”

   
 
“Aye, I do. Very well. We’re old mukkers…Uh, friends,” he clarified. “We saw them pull up with ye’ last night.”

   
 
“Friends, huh?” He gave her a reassuring nod. “Then why did you kidnap me right out from under your ‘friends’ noses?”

   
 
Knowing Nik was right there in the tunnel, she had just stepped right around the corner, wanting a little privacy. No sooner had she finished her business and walked out from behind the tree she’d been using as a screen when a rough sac had been yanked down over her head from behind and she’d been scooped up and thrown over a burly shoulder. The owner of which had then taken off at a dead run. It had knocked the air out of her, and by the time she could breathe again, let alone scream, they’d been far from the cave.

     He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, looking up at her sheepishly from under long, dark lashes. “Well now, that's a funny story.” Not elaborating any further, he gave her a shrug.  “It seemed a good idea at th' time,
”
he said a bit arrogantly.

     “And what about now?” she asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Does it still seem like a good idea now?”

   
 
“Well, you dinna have to be like that about it,” he said, taken aback. Settling his weight on one powerful leg and his hands low on his narrow hips, he had the decency to look a bit guilty. “Although, I have to admit, we may have acted a bit rash. We didna really stop to think about it.”

   
 
Emma’s stared aghast at the wolf leader, and took a step closer to him, about to give him a large piece of her mind. Immediately, the other two stepped up to flank their leader, causing her to rethink that decision.

     Pissing off a group of bona fide werewolves was probably not the smartest thing to do. A change of tactics might be a good idea.

     She gave him her sweetest smile, “Well, it’s not too late! You can just take me back.”

   
 
His eyes widened and he glanced back at his companions with a look that said he clearly thought she was completely off her rocker. “No, we canna do that! Are ye mad, lassie?”

   
 
She nearly stamped her foot with frustration. “Why the hell not? Just take me back! I won’t even tell them it was you guys. I’ll just say I went for a walk! Yeah. I just went for a walk! That’s all. I
swear
I won’t say anything about you, if you’ll just take me back to Nik.”

   
 
So much for her attempt at womanly wiles. She’d resorted to pleading with them already. But she was tired. And she was hungry. And, dammit, she wasn’t in the mood for this shit. So, if that’s what it took, she would do it gladly. She couldn’t imagine what Nik must be going through after her little disappearing act.

     And she had a sister to rescue.

     Looking back and forth amongst themselves, they seemed to be considering her plea, and she dared to hope that she may have gotten through to them. But as the minutes ticked by and no one made a move to honor her request, her small flame of hope was dashed.

     Sighing heavily, she crossed her arms and gave them all a withering look. “What?” she snapped.

     Cedric looked over at Red, but seeing he would get no help from that end, he finally turned back to Emma, who had started tapping her foot impatiently.

     “What?” she demanded again. “What now?” Jeez, for a bunch of big, bad werewolves, they were acting more like timid little puppies.

     “Aren't ye worried that he'll be pissed at ye for wandering off?” Cedric asked quietly.  “I assume he told ye not to.”

   
 
Shrugging nonchalantly, she assured him, “He will be. But he’ll get over it.”

   
 
Cedric gaped at her. “Ye do ken that he's a…vampire?”

   
 
“Yes. I know he’s a vampire.” She rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh. What the hell was he trying to get at? She wished he’d just spit it out already.

     “'N' ye’re no
’
scared o' him?” he asked in astonishment.

     “No. Why would I be scared of him? He wouldn’t hurt me,” she assured him. Was that why they didn’t want to take her back?

     “Look, I’ll be fine. Just drop me off where you found me,” she pleaded. “If you really are their friend, then you have to know that he’s probably sick with worry by now.”

   
 
A dawning look of comprehension slowly came over his face. “Worry, ye say?”

   
 
“Yes!” Rolling her eyes again, she thought about how sad it was that the good-looking ones were almost always all brawn and no brain.

     Exchanging a strange look with Lucian and Duncan, he mused, “A vampire only worries aboot his human mate. We’ve a’ heard the stories, is it really true, lassie?”

   
 
Emma gave him a stony look in reply, refusing to confirm or deny his assumption.

     Cedric held up his index finger, indicating for her to excuse him a moment, then turned to the other guys. They huddled together, speaking rapidly but quietly, with only the occasional “och” or “aye” and one “Yer off yer head!
”
by Red, followed quickly by a “Haud yer wheesht!
” by Cedric, loud enough for her to hear.

     Watching them, she wondered if they’d notice if she just casually strolled away.

     Hmm.

     Taking a discreet glance around, she was almost positive they’d entered the clearing from the way directly behind her. She also didn’t remember feeling like her kidnapper had taken any abrupt turns. Maybe if she just tried to keep in a straight line, she could get close enough to the cave that Nik would hear her and could guide her back.

     As quietly as she could, and keeping a close eye on the pack huddle, she started to back away from the arguing werewolves. She got about a hundred feet away with no one paying her any mind whatsoever, so with a quick prayer, she slowly turned and started creeping forward as stealthily as she could, using the giant, mossy trees as cover. After another fifty feet, she silently thanked the gods and took off at a steady jog.

     She didn’t even get the chance to start breathing heavy before she was gripped around the waist by a muscular arm and hoisted onto a hip. “Damn it! Let me go, you stupid dog!”

   
 
She’d been so intent on escaping; she hadn’t noticed when they’d stopped arguing to watch her sneaking away. He’d let her go quite a ways, just for fun, before Cedric indicated for someone to go get her.

     Catching up to her in less than a second, Lucian, or “Red” as Emma liked to think of him, scooped her up and trod back to the group with her tucked easily under his arm.

    
“Where do ye think ye're goin, lassie?” Cedric grinned at her as Lucian dropped her at his feet for the second time. Holding out his hand, he offered to help her up, laughing heartily at her feistiness when she slapped his hand away and stood up on her own.

     “Nikulas has got his hands full with this one, I think.” He chuckled in amusement as she shot daggers at him.

     Crossing her arms defensively, she snapped, “Well, Nikulas doesn’t have his anything right now, does he? Because you STOLE me from him.”

   
 
Cedric boomed with laughter. “C'mon wee kitten, let's get going. We need to be there by nightfall.” Turning his back to her, he swung his hand around in a circle. “Let's go!”

   
 
Herding her into the middle of the group, they set off, moving farther away from the cave. And farther away from Nik. But Emma didn’t know what other choice she had at the moment. She was surrounded by three towering werewolves, and for whatever the reason, they didn’t seem inclined to let her go.