EnemyMine (22 page)

“Bastard,” she grated and yanked on his shirt, pulling him
forward. Without preamble, she sank her fangs into his throat. She drank deep
until she heard the door open.

Company has arrived.

Knocking the unconscious man aside, she made it to her feet.
She retrieved her sword, fingers shaking. These Shepherds were in their normal
attire, dressed to impress in Stetsons, flaring dusters and boots. She stared
down the barrels of the guns the men aimed at her. The throbbing in her chest
worsened, the bullets buried deep inside like solid weights that shifted with each
breath. A spasm in her heart was the last thing she wanted to feel, but she
felt it just the same. Being shot wasn’t necessarily a death sentence. She had
the healing pools her coven had created to speed up the process. But a wound in
or around the heart, like the one she could feel now, could destroy her.

“
Phase out
,” Leigh thought frantically. “
We have
to go. You can’t do this alone
.”

Maybe Leigh was right, maybe not. “
I have no other choice
.”

Another bullet struck her, lodging in her thigh. Sadie staggered,
trying to remain standing. The sword felt so heavy—too fucking heavy. She knew
it was the blood loss. With each agonized pump of her heart she was losing what
was essential to her kind, the very thing they needed to live.

She wanted to spin around when she heard Leigh whispering.
The foolish girl had to get out while she still could. A well-placed shot to
Sadie’s injury-free leg took her down. The floor was unforgiving as she
collapsed against it, knocking the breath from her body.

“
As I will it, so it shall be
,” Leigh said softly.
Sadie gasped when magic flowed from Leigh and slammed into her a second time,
answering Leigh’s call as a member of the coven, aiding Leigh in weaving the
spell she’d created. “You will not breathe.
You
can’t
breathe
.”

Sadie watched, dumbfounded, as the men dropped their guns
and clawed at their throats. Their eyes bulged in fear, their mouths opening
and closing. But there was no sound, there couldn’t be.

Not if they couldn’t take the breath necessary to formulate
words.

Blessed be, Leigh was more powerful than she had ever
imagined. If she’d known how strong she was before, things could have been a
lot easier.

Why didn’t she tell me? Why did she keep something like
this from the coven?

The poor bastards sank to the floor, twitching as they
suffocated. Sadie went to her hands and knees. Standing didn’t just hurt—it was
agonizing. After she had her sword in hand, it took several attempts to get it
into its sheath. She didn’t worry about cleaning the blood away. If the sword was
ruined, she’d have another made. Right now she had to find Trey, free him and
phase to the healing caverns.

“Let me help.”

Leigh wrapped her arm around Sadie’s waist, aiding her as
she rose. Her legs were like water wobbling beneath her, and the gunshots to
her thighs burned like a son of a bitch. Gazing down, she saw the blood
covering her chest. Blood loss was another thing a vampire could survive, but
if she lost too much she’d slip into a coma until she was reawakened with a
feeding.

“There might be more of them,” Sadie wheezed, leaning on
Leigh and hating herself for it. “It’s not safe for you to go downstairs.”

“I’m in better shape than you,” Leigh replied, her lips
curving into a small smile. “You might need me.”

“Why?” So many questions in one word, but Sadie knew Leigh
would understand.

“I don’t like magic.” Leigh supported Sadie’s weight as they
started down the stairs. “I just want to be normal. Magic takes that away.”

As a vampire, Leigh would
never
be normal. There were
too many changes in her life, too many differences. The puzzle pieces started
coming together, allowing Sadie to see the big picture. “And you’re afraid your
power will make you stand out?”

“Won’t it?”

Yes, it would. If the coven found out that Leigh was capable
of such things they’d extort her ability. Each member of the coven had a
purpose, and it was well-known that when a gift was revealed it was used as
often as possible.

“I won’t tell them about Trey if you don’t tell them about
me.” Leigh intruded on her thoughts. “Deal?”

“Deal.” Sadie lifted her head and looked at the powerful
vampiric mage. “But we’re going to talk about what you can do. You need someone
to help you understand the magic inside of you.”

Leigh nodded and lowered her gaze, staring at the stairs and
watching her feet. “It’ll be nice to have someone to talk to.”

When they made it to the basement floor, Sadie was relieved
to discover all the men on watch had come upstairs to intercept her. She didn’t
have the strength to fight anyone else. Hell, she couldn’t even walk. A couple
of steps and she saw the cage. Trey was inside, resting on his side. She would
have run to him if she’d been able, ripping the silver bars from the atrocious
thing that kept him trapped. Sadly, she relied on Leigh to get her there.

“Lean against the bars,” Leigh said and helped her get her
balance. “I’ll get this open.”

Sadie wondered what other trick Leigh had up her sleeve and
groaned when she saw a key hanging on the far wall. Shepherds might be smart
but in this situation they were damn stupid. Leigh retrieved the key, shoved it
into the lock and opened the door. Trey didn’t stir, nothing more than a large
mass resting on the cold floor.

Leigh kneeled over him, touching his shoulder. “He seems
fine. I don’t see any injuries. But jeez, he’s huge. I’ve never seen anything
like him.” She looked at Sadie, her gaze going up and down Sadie’s
bullet-ridden body. “I can’t move him by myself. If his weight isn’t issue
enough, he’s too big for me to carry. You’re going to have to help.”

Sadie staggered when she moved, trying to enter the cage.
Unable to do more, she went to her knees and inched toward him. Her heartbeat
slowed, a warning that if the bullet in her chest remained where it was for
much longer she wouldn’t make it out of the building alive.

Reaching out with a trembling hand, she touched his hair.
The strands were lush and silken, so dark against her skin.

“I can’t,” she whispered, studying the shifter she wanted so
much it broke something inside her. “One of the bullets hit my heart.” Lifting
her eyes, she met Leigh’s concerned stare. “How weak are you?”

“Too weak to provide for you,” Leigh confessed with a sigh.
“I should have taken more blood tonight. I didn’t know that I’d need it.”

Sadie touched Leigh’s arm, attempting to convey a sense of
comfort. “It’s all right. You did what you could. Thank you.”

“You need to feed from him.” Leigh sounded determined, her
rubbery backbone suddenly reinforced with steel. She brushed Trey’s hair out of
the way, allowing a full view of his neck. “His blood will be stronger than
mine. If you take what you need we can get him to the car. I’ll drive him home
and you can phase to the caverns to heal.”

“It’s not that simple,” she snapped, canines elongating and
nose flaring, drawn to the temptation of Trey’s lifeblood. Remorse assailed
her. The tone she’d used with the girl was all kinds of wrong. If it weren’t
for Leigh, Trey would have remained caged, the Shepherds would have killed her
and horrible things would have happened.

“Why not?” Leigh cocked her head to the side, speaking
softly. “He’s yours and you’re his. You were willing to die for him. What’s the
worst that could happen?”

Starvation, anyone?

Goddess, the thought didn’t appeal to her. It was the third
way a vampire could die—the most painful way imaginable. And it only happened
when a vampire was stupid enough to mate with a shifter. Her body would slowly
break down, making Leigh’s frail form look like a cover model’s in comparison.
She’d slowly rot on the inside until there was nothing left. Most vampires went
mad before they died on their own, the bloodlust turning them into mindless
creatures.

“You’re going to die either way,” Leigh informed her drily.
“You’re too weak to phase. If you don’t drink from him nothing you’ve done
serves any purpose. He might escape but then again he might not. We don’t know
if anyone else will come. Do you really want to leave him unprotected? Is it
worth the risk?”

“Damn you, Leigh.” Her eyes burned with tears. “
It’s.
Not. That. Simple.”

Trey had made it clear he detested what she was. A vampire,
a parasite. Yes he’d probably fuck her and allow her to drink as he did but
there would be no emotion. No love would sustain them. Now she was totally
fucking doomed, caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Then I’m going to make it so.”

Leigh reached over Sadie’s back and removed her sword.
Before Sadie could argue, Leigh pressed the blade against Trey’s throat. It was
a thin cut but blood flowed from his skin. Sadie’s hunger crashed into her. Her
body needed blood—demanded it—and it was from the man she’d wanted to taste for
so long she had wet dreams about it.

“Drink,” Leigh ordered. “Take what you need so we can go.”

Sadie tried to fight the impulse, to stem the raging lust
coursing through her. Trey smelled delicious, his woodsy scent calling out to
her. In her current state she feared taking too much. Thankfully Trey wasn’t
human. He would regenerate the blood she consumed within a day, his body
reviving itself in hours. She could take enough, not only to phase but to help
him to safety. Maybe there was something the coven could afterward do to assist
her, to make the hunger less painful. Perhaps it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

Stop thinking or you won’t be able to do this.

Resigned to her fate, she dipped her head and laved her
tongue over his skin, cleaning away the thick red line that had risen to the
surface. Her moan of pleasure couldn’t be helped. Salty and male, his blood
didn’t just call to her, it sang a haunting chorus. She didn’t want to
experience sexual desire in front of Leigh but she could feel a rush of wetness
from her pussy, the way her womb clenched.

How embarrassing would it be to orgasm at the first real
taste? As she fed from Trey as she’d fantasized about? Her fangs pulsed, her
stomach clenching in need. With a prayer to the Goddess that she didn’t make a
fool of herself, she opened her mouth and went for Trey’s jugular.

With a soft pop, her teeth sank into his warm flesh. His
blood—hot, spicy and sweet—entered her mouth. He groaned in ecstasy even while unconscious,
lust stirring in him from her bite although he wasn’t fully cognizant of what
was taking place. The first swallow was the most divine, spreading through her
like a forest fire, sending an electric, zinging tendril up her spine. Her
weakness started to fade, her strength returning with force. A mortal could
never have this effect on her, nor could any other. His blood in her body felt
so good, so right.

There was no worry for the future.

There was only here. Only now.

Only Trey.

Chapter Seventeen

“Fucking Shepherds,” Nathan grumbled as he inspected his
temple. The skin was crusted over, meaning healing was under way. His fingers
prodded the length of the graze, not too thick but an eye-opener nonetheless.
Just a few more inches and he’d have been a goner. Talk about second chances.

Backing away from the bathroom mirror, he turned off the
light. The pack members who were not searching for Trey had spread through the
house, a few of them taking a guard rotation outside. The pride that had
arrived earlier remained in the kitchen, ready to back the pack up if
necessary. The felines didn’t want to help but Kinsley wasn’t taking no for an
answer. Typical cat behavior in Nathan’s experience. Unlike wolves who came
together, feline shifters preferred to live in their own way.

Goddamn pussies.

He walked from the bathroom, being as quiet as possible, and
watched Emory escape into the bedroom Mary was resting in. Nathan scrubbed a
hand across his face. Emory’s mate had fallen asleep thanks to the sedative Doc
insisted she needed. She might have hidden her face from view but everyone
could scent her fear and pain. Coming from a loving pack, Nathan didn’t
comprehend how a family member could betray her much less try to kill her. Then
again, her family had no remorse and viewed his kind as demons.

Utter bullshit.

As he walked past the large entertainment room, he glanced
at Diskant. Ava was in his arms, covered by a plush blanket. The pack had taken
up the empty seats in the room, all of them silent, although they did
acknowledge him with nods or by peering in his direction. After all the
excitement, as well as sharing what she knew of her kidnapping, it appeared Ava
had fallen asleep as well.

Everyone, it seemed, was running on fumes.

Time for some fresh air.

He exited the house through the garage and walked onto the
paved area next to the fire station-turned-home. Finally alone, he closed his
eyes and lifted his chin, taking a deep breath.

The packs sent to the Shepherd compounds would be checking
in soon, spreading the news of their success or lack thereof. Shortly after
they were informed of Ava’s kidnapping and the attack on Diskant’s home, the
pack Alphas launched into an offensive across the United States. If they
succeeded in their attempt, Shepherds would have to leave New York. The loss
would be too devastating to stay. They’d have to regroup, move their remaining
numbers and find a safe place to recover. That, in turn, would give Diskant
more time to prepare for their return.

A cool breeze skittered across his face. The dawn would come
in less than an hour, bringing the world to life. Shepherds could attempt to
destroy shifters but they’d never succeed so long as each day came and went.
The sunrise was a reminder that life didn’t stop at death, it continued using
different players.

One step led to another. He wasn’t sure where he was going.
He just continued along, nodding when he saw a guard in the distance, aimless
as he strolled back and forth. The purr of an engine got his attention. As he
lifted his head, he noticed a souped-up black Camaro driving down the street.
It slowed as it approached, the tinted windows making it difficult to see
inside. He stopped when the vehicle pulled up to the curb, protective instincts
awakening, rousing his wolf.

The motor stayed running as the car stopped. The driver’s
side door flew open and a fragile-looking female with long brown hair stepped
out. Something jarred inside him, creating a stirring in his chest. She opened
the passenger side door and vanished inside. When she reappeared, she was
helping a man climb out.

Holy shit.

Trey.

He rushed toward them before he realized he’d moved. Trey
was off balance, his head falling to his chest. The woman managed to keep him
upright, although she strained under his weight, swallowed by his much larger
body. Before she could lower him to the ground, Nathan caught him.

“Sadie?” Trey slurred drunkenly.

The female had shut the door and started to bolt for the
driver’s side of the vehicle when Nathan lashed out and grasped her forearm.
One touch, one simple sample of her skin against his and the wolf inside him
jumped to the forefront, very much alive and aware. His heart started to race,
his blood pumping through his veins. He’d asked for this very thing earlier,
wanting it beyond reason, and apparently someone saw fit to answer his request.

“What are you doing?” the brunette gasped, her gorgeous blue
eyes frightened, as though she felt the connection between them as well. She
pulled back, trying to wrench free. “Let go!”

She was insane if she thought she was getting away. No way
in hell. Not when he’d finally found her. This was a second chance—an enormous
change in his almost short-lived life—he wasn’t going to take for granted.
First he had to know her name, to know the identity of the female destined to
become his mate. And she was his mate. He’d heard the rumors, the way it was
when a male found the one female destined for him. The recognition was unlike
anything he’d felt before, something immediate and unshakable. The muscles in his
body went taut, his cock hardening into a steel bat. Her scent was like no
other, calling to him on a primal level, bringing his wolf to life.

“Who are you?”

She glared at his hand, trying to break loose. “That’s none
of your business.”

“I’m not letting go until you tell me.” He kept Trey upright
with his free arm, adjusting the man so he had a firmer grip on her wrist. Her
skin was soft, her bones small and delicate.

“Hurry, Leigh,” a drained feminine voice called from the
car. “I have to phase. I can’t wait.”

He leaned over the car and looked inside, stunned by what he
saw. It was the vampire who’d saved Ava when Shepherds attacked Dougan’s Bar.
She’d saved the Omega’s mate without question, putting her own life in danger.
Only she didn’t look as intimidating or lethal as he remembered. Her skin was
deathly pale and she was bleeding all over the place. The black leather seat
was drenched with streaks of red.

“I have to go.” Leigh was no longer demanding, she was
pleading, rotating her wrist in his hand.

“Where are you taking her?” He had to know. If he let the
delectable female walk away—if he could find the strength to do so—he had to
know where to find her. His wolf roared in betrayal, fighting for control. Left
with no alternative, he called on his Beta nature, combating the anger with
calm. He knew his irises were shifting color, becoming amber.

Leigh’s face paled even more as she looked at him, the blood
draining from her face. It was then that he knew she wasn’t familiar with his
kind, of their tendencies, of the way they changed physically when their beasts
took over.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“If you want to leave,” he said quietly, “you will.”

“You don’t understand. There’s no time for this. Sadie
wanted me to help find him.” She looked at his other arm—at Trey—showing an
amazing amount of bravado. “We got him out but she was harmed during the
escape. It’s a mortal wound if left untreated. I have to go. She won’t seek
healing until she knows I’m safe.” Turning to Nathan, her eyes begged him to
listen, to let her leave before something horrible happened. “We brought him
back. We’ve done
you
a favor. Don’t repay the gesture like this.”

“Leigh,” he murmured, surrounding himself in her scent.

She was so sweet, so damn beautiful he couldn’t tear his
eyes from her. He wanted to ask questions, to learn who and what she was. Sadie
was a vampire, so in all likelihood Leigh was too. Although a majority of
shifters loathed them and their blood-drinking ways, he felt his cock pound at
the thought, imagining her teeth sinking into his skin. He’d welcome her
bite—over and over again.

She seemed frantic when she glanced over her shoulder at the
car. “Now that you know my name, will you please let go?”

“Only if you promise to return. I want your word.”

Her blue eyes bulged and her plush little mouth dropped
open. “You want
what
?”

“I want you to promise you’ll come back. That we’ll finish
this conversation.” He couldn’t believe he was going to let her go. Something
told him not to, that it was a mistake. But the stronger voice—the influence of
the man—knew she would hate him if he let her friend die. “Give me your word,
Leigh.”

“I can’t do that!” She didn’t try to pull away now, she
yanked her arm forcefully. He frowned at how weak she appeared. If she was a
vampire, she would have at the very least weakened his grip or torn free.

“You can and will.” He didn’t bend on what he wanted, and he
wouldn’t. There was no guarantee she’d return but judging by her actions her
word meant a great deal to her. Likely she wouldn’t break a promise. At least,
he
hoped
she wouldn’t.

She stopped fighting and seemed to be doing a mental
calculation. “Okay, fine,” she said after a moment, nodding. “I promise to
return within…three months. How’s that? You have my word.”

Three months? Is she crazy?

“That’s not going to work, imp.” He shook his head, feeling
a smile tugging at his lips. Yep, he was definitely mated. When grown males
started using cheesy endearments without giving a shit, it sealed the deal.

“You didn’t give a timeframe. You asked me to come back at a
later date.” She stood tall, facing him, challenging him to say differently.
“I’ve done that. I’ve given my word. Let go. Right now.”

He was going to argue when Trey slumped, forcing him to let
go of the female. The agony of being shot paled in comparison to the misery he
felt when he released her, losing the skin-to-skin contact. He wrapped his arm
around Trey’s waist, forcing the wobbling man upright.

“Thank you,” she murmured and rushed around the front of the
car.

“Three months,” he called out, his heart racing, the wolf
within demanding he stop her while he could. “If you make me wait, I’ll find
you and tan your little ass.”

“Three months,” she repeated, yelling the words back. She
glared at him as she climbed into the vehicle. “And you wouldn’t dare.”

After she closed her door, she engaged the locks. Turning in
the seat, Leigh faced the woman in the back and motioned with her hands. In a
flash, the vampire Leigh was speaking with vanished. There one moment, gone the
next.

Holy shit.

He watched as Leigh put the car in gear. With her hands on
the wheel, she turned her head. Their gazes met and held for several seconds.
He imagined all the things he planned to say and do to her. All the ways he’d
show her pleasure. If her skin was pale all over, they’d be a contrast of
colors. The images were cut short when Leigh severed eye contact, pulled away
from the curb and the car sped away.

Pack members appeared from around the corner, lifting their
gazes as their nostrils flared. One look and the shifters came at them in a
run. Zach was the first to reach them and wrapped one of Trey’s arms around his
neck. After Trey was steady, Zach rushed him toward the garage. It was apparent
Trey had been hurt and that something was wrong with him but Nathan couldn’t
move, anchored to the spot.

It had finally happened. He’d found his mate. Her image was
scorched in his brain: features so delicate, her body so frail. Why was she so
thin? Was she ill? Was there something wrong with her? He didn’t know but he planned
to find out.

Three fucking months.

Three months was too long to wait. He knew her scent, had
memorized it. When the pack didn’t need him, he’d start searching in the city.
A foolish mission, he knew. She could very well reside outside of the limits, in
another area. If anything it would help pass the time until they were reunited.

“Leigh,” he whispered, rolling her name off his tongue,
immediately wanting to do so again. It had been one hell of a night, so it was
only fair things took an upward swing. Ask and you shall receive. A mate—
his
mate
—had appeared in his life when the world had gone to shit. Who would
have thought it possible?

Certainly not him.