Caressed by Night (41 page)

Dimitri gripped Ven’s throat, his razor-like talons sliding over his enemy’s jugular, drawing blood. With a flick of his wrist, Dimitri threw Ven back. The vampire’s body bounced off the rock, cracking the boulder’s face.

Above, thunder rolled through the heavens, lightning struck down scorching the ground, and the clouds unleashed an unrelenting fury of rain.

Ven had no time to recover. Dimitri dragged him up, his hand clasped about his throat, crushing his windpipe. Ven desperately tried
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to pry Dimitri’s fingers free, but the ancient’s grip was unbreakable. He began to kick, the toe of his boots colliding with Dimitri’s hard thighs.

Dimitri’s gaze imprisoned his. Pure and lethal, demonic, glowing white, the same color as lightning, that stare bore into him.

Ven’s chest grew tight as his soul began to burn.

“This is the end.” Dimitri spoke, but his voice was unholy and deep, a voice that belonged to the devil himself.

Ven fought with what remained of his strength, struggling in vain. Dimitri’s hand tightened and Ven’s own stomach heaved from the sound of cracking bones. Gathering the last strands of his energy, he reached for his boot, his trembling fingers brushing against the knife he had hidden. Dimitri pulled him forward, then slammed him against the boulder again. Pain exploded in his head and sprinted throughout his body. Fighting the painful sensation of his dying body, Ven slowly lifted one leg, flattening his foot against the rock. Using all the force he could muster, he pulled the dagger free, raised it above his head, and kicked away from the rock. With a loud, blood curdling cry, Ven swung the dagger down. The blade met little resistance as it penetrated Dimitri’s chest to pierce his heart.

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“Gannon,” Kerstyn sighed, defeated, “I know you're right. I know I should stay put, but she needs me.” She put up her hand, motioning for him to keep his words to himself. “I highly doubt I will be in danger if you come with me and we take the necessary precautions such as the bulletproof car and extra guards.”

“I will go get her.”

“Gannon―”

“No! Listen to yourself. You promised Dimitri, you must stay here where it is safe.”

“I will be safe.”

“You don’t know vampires. Ven is with Dimitri, but don’t you think he has people watching the building? Gabriel has taken every precaution, but someone could always slip past,” he explained.

“What am I to say? ‘Sorry, I can’t come get you, find another way home. Oh, and call the cops if Bobby is there.’”

“Yes.”

Kerstyn rubbed the nape of her neck. “I’m not like that Gannon. I can’t ignore someone in need.”

“But she―”

“She screwed me over,” Kerstyn finished. “And I haven’t forgiven her, but I can’t leaver her at some dive bar at the mercy of bikers or something worse,” she point to her canines, “all because a stupid guy came between us. How petty is that?” The muscles in Gannon’s jaw twitched, his teeth grinding so hard she thought they might break. Finally, after a silence that felt like forever, he nodded and said, “You are not to leave my side, you understand?”

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“Yes.”

“I mean it, Kerstyn.”

“As do I. Believe me, I have no desire to die.” Gannon nodded and pulled his phone from his pocket. After making some quick calls, he arranged for five cars to be brought around; four would be decoys. He also requested more guards and firearms, a lot of firearms.

“Which bar are you at?” Kerstyn asked Denise. “Yeah, I know where that is. I’ll be there in a few.”

“Fuck,” Gannon grumbled as Kerstyn snatched her jacket from the hook by the door. “This doesn’t feel right.”

“Everything will be fine, Gannon,” Kerstyn said with a smile, hoping to reassure him. It didn't help. His face was cold and sharp as ice.

He came forward, holding the door open for her. “I know I'm going to regret this,” he mumbled, following her down the hall.

They remained silent in the elevator. Kerstyn’s stomach churned with nerves as a slow ache began to spread through her chest.

Was she doing the right thing? Should she have remained in her tower and told Denise ‘tough luck’? Kerstyn shook her head. She was being ridiculous. Nothing was going to happen. She would be with Gannon and surrounded by other vampire guards. The bar was not far, they would haul ass, scoop up Denise, and be back in less than twenty minutes.

The casino was lively. Bells rang and coins fell from a machine, people were gathered around the craps tables cheering while those who surrounded the roulette
wheel groaned in disappointment when the ball fell on red. Kerstyn stayed beside Gannon, her shoulder frequently brushing his arm as they passed through the casino.

He guided her to an employee-only door and they headed to the back of the hotel. As they walked down the narrow hall, Kerstyn could not help but notice that her footsteps were the only ones producing any sound.

Vampires’ and their eerie silence.

Gannon shoved open the door at the end of the hall.

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The air had a chilling bite to it and Kerstyn quickly zipped up her jacket and secured her hood over her head. The rain was heavy, the droplets thick, like tears.

“Brace yourself,” Gannon whispered.

Kerstyn frowned. Not knowing what he was talking about, she followed his gaze and saw Gabriel stalking down the alley.

“What the hell is this?” Gabriel demanded.

Kerstyn gave a little shriek before ducking behind Gannon.

“My lady has need of―”

“She has no business leaving,” Gabriel snapped. “Take her back upstairs.”

Clearing her throat, Kerstyn took a wide step around Gannon.

Gabriel’s face was set in hard lines, shadows covered his brow, and his eyes were black holding only one emotion—rage. If she had any good sense, she would turn and run back to the suite or better yet, run far away and purposely give herself amnesia so that she would forget all about vampires and their world. Unfortunately, she was lacking in the good sense department.

“I need to pick up my friend,” she said.

“I will send someone to pick up your friend,” Gabriel replied, his voice a rough growl.

Kerstyn squared her shoulders. “No, I'm going.”

“Fuck that,” he bit out as he reached for her arm. Kerstyn jumped back. “I swear, Kerstyn, I will throw you over my shoulder and haul your ass upstairs if necessary. I gave my word to Dimitri that I would keep you safe.”

“What makes you think I won’t be safe?” she countered, tilting her chin up.

“There are too many variables if you leave. God only knows what could happen.”

Kerstyn took another step back. She was now evenly placed between Gabriel and Gannon, an arm's length from both. She glanced between the vampires and was about to unleash her who-are-you-to-tell-me-what-to-do lecture when ringing sliced through the night. The sound was so close it rattled her eardrums.

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Time stopped for a breath as she watched Gannon’s eyes turn black, his fangs punching out, and his nails lengthening into claws.

Everything around her moved ever so slowly. Gannon disappeared as her legs suddenly folded beneath her. In a flash, she was on the ground, the water seeping into her clothing, but she didn't notice. She blinked, slow, lazy as she tried to clear her blurring vision. Why could she not see? She tried to lift her hand to rub at her eyes, but she could not move. She could feel nothing. Nothing but…cold. Yes, she was cold and tired. So very tired.

Her eyes closed for a brief moment only to peel back to find Gabriel leaning over her. He had a hold of her shoulders and was shaking her, though she could not feel the motion. He was saying something. Kerstyn wanted to tell him to speak up, but her voice wouldn't work. She gasped for breath trying to speak, but her lungs were beginning to burn. She fought to focus, she struggled to keep her eyes open, and she was determined to bring her senses back.

“I’ve called for an ambulance,” she heard someone say. The voice was soft, distant, male, but did not belong to Gabriel or Gannon.

Who needed an ambulance?

“She doesn’t have that kind of time,” someone else said, his voice a little closer.

“Where's Gannon?” yet another voice asked.

“He went after the shooter,” the first one answered.

“I hope he brings back the fucker’s head.”

Kerstyn was slightly relieved to hear Gabriel’s voice; at least he was someone she could recognize. Feeling as if she could relax, she closed her eyes.

“No, Kerstyn. Focus,” Gabriel barked. “Stay awake. You must stay awake.”

She mustered a groan and opened her eyes. He was wiping rain from her face. So gentle, his touch was so gentle. Strange, she never thought the big, bad blond could be gentle.

“We’ll see if there's a doctor or a nurse in the casino,” one of the men said and she could feel the ground beneath her vibrate as they ran toward the hotel.

Gabriel lifted her, tucking her tightly against his chest. She expected to feel heat and, God, she needed some warmth. Her body was
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so cold. Gabriel opened the door to a black limo and placed her inside.

She was glad to be out of the rain.

“Th-th-thank you,” she rasped, her throat sore, her voice shaking.

“Save your energy,” he ordered.

Kerstyn wanted to sit up. She wanted to reach for the knob of the heater, but could not move. Then, with stunning clarity, she realized what had made that loud sound. A gun. It had been a gun. Someone had been shot.

Fear and adrenaline sparked her blood and pain unlike anything she could ever imagine slammed into her, setting every nerve on fire.

Her scream curdled his blood. He had failed. He had given Dimitri his word and he failed. Kerstyn was going to die. There was nothing any human could do for her.

Slamming his fists on the roof of the limo, he let loose his fury, his talons like nails cutting the ballistic steel, his punches denting in the top of the vehicle.

He had sworn on his life that he would protect her. The gunman had been at the end of the alley, barely visible around the wall.

Gannon had taken off after the bastard and Gabriel hoped Gannon would reduce the son of a bitch to strips of flesh.

Shoving himself away from the car, he cursed Fate for being a sadistic bitch. Again he would helplessly watch as an innocent died because of him, because of his weakness. His wife had been tortured, raped, brutalized, and murdered because he was too weak to save her.

The same would happen to the woman in the photo if he could not find her and now Kerstyn lay on the verge of death, her blood pooling and glistening on the leather seat of the limo.

His dead heart wept for Dimitri. He loved Kerstyn with every cell in his body and Gabriel knew the pureblood would not want to live without her. The world would lose two amazing people because of him.

Gabriel roared, the sound vibrating the buildings surrounding him, his cry of anguish, shame, and fury reaching the heavens. Falling to his knees, he stared unseeing at the ground.

“Nothing can be done,” he began to chant as pity and self-loathing weighed down upon him until he felt like he would crumple beneath their pressure. “I gave him my word. I told him I would protect
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her with my life and be honored to surrender my immortality so that she may live.”

Gabriel’s head snapped up as his vision focused. There was one thing he could do, though he was loath to perform such an atrocity. He slowly came to his feet, his hands shaking as he fought with himself.

I can change her. I can give her my blood.

Turning back to the car, he entered the limo.

“Fight, Kerstyn. You need to fight.”

“G-Gab…w-what is―”

“You are dying, but I need you to fight, Kerstyn. Fight off death.”

Sitting on the floor beside her, his hands trembled as he cut the blood and rain soaked jacket from her with his nails. The ruined garment fell to the floor with a sloppy thud.

Gabriel’s stomach rolled in revulsion as he thought of taking her blood. When he had been changed, he vowed he would never force this cursed life upon anyone and yet, here he was. Leaning over a dying woman, telling her to battle the angel of death so that she may be strong in her next life. The harder she fought for survival, the better chances she had as a vampire.

He swallowed hard. If he did this, she would be a bastard, an outcast, a blemish on vampire society, like him.

But she is Dimitri’s mate. That has to trump the ancient laws,
he thought, trying desperately to justify what he was about to do.

“D-Dim-itri.” Her teeth chattered as her body went into shock.

Her eyes rolled back as she fought for every breath.

She would need a lot of blood and, unfortunately for her, tonight was a full moon. Her transition would begin almost instantly and Gabriel prayed she would survive. For a reason unknown to him, females rarely survived their transitions, their race dominated by males.

Gabriel leaned down and tilted her head to the side. Brushing her wet hair aside, he nervously licked his lips. It had been so long since he had fed directly from a human; never had he gained enjoyment from the act.

He was an abomination, just like every other vampire that roamed the earth. He prided himself on not being a pure animal, a beast that took what it wanted, blood. He believed sharing his blood with no
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