Haven (11 page)

“Carina, that is not—” Thomas objected.

I threw him a one-fingered salute to shut him up and targeted Adrian. “How long have you been a freakin’ monster snack?”

Adrian squirmed in his seat, still massaging his leg.

I took a slow breath to quash the urge to pummel my treacherous friend. “You know, life was simple a couple of days ago. Exercise, eat, work, return some calls, hang out with friends, argue with my brother, go shopping. Normal girl stuff. Then my birthday happened and now left is right, down is up, dead is alive, and
friends
,” my eyes daggered Adrian. “Are
enemies
.”

Adrian glanced at Thomas. That one look spoke volumes.

“How long?”

“Long enough,” Thomas replied.

“Long enough,” I mimicked him. “What does that even mean?”

No reply.

Fine.
I pushed ahead. “How many of them are you doing, Adrian?”

His hands fisted. “Rina, please, you don’t understand.”

I scowled. “You’re right. I don’t. How many. Tell me.”

He slumped in the seat. “It’s not like that.”

“You doing Thomas? Tessa? Stella? Those huge, linebacker monsters? Who’s such a good fuck that you’d lie to me? Don’t even try to deny the sex. I know you, remember? Or I thought I did.”

“Babe, please—”Adrian started to reply, but Faith’s gasp cut him off. Eyes wide, she focused on the shadowy corner behind his chair.

“What is it now, Faith,” I grumbled, unfazed this time. So many wrong things were happening all at once, what was one more? Tough thoughts, but I still jumped when a pale hand snaked out of the shadows and slid onto Adrian’s shoulder.

~ * ~

The darkness itself solidified into a pale, young man with straight black hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Dressed in black, he looked about my height and age, though my gut said much older. And undead. A small gold ankh dangled from a gold chain around his neck. Delicately boned for a man, I nonetheless sensed the power in his slight body.

I stared into his dark, glittering eyes—pure black, as if the pupil had swallowed the iris—and swayed, trapped by his hypnotic, snake-like gaze.

Come to me, his eyes commanded, or did a voice say it in my head? Regardless of the origin of the compulsion, my legs moved me forward.

A swish of cold air announced Alexander’s arrival at my side. His strong, cool fingers braided with mine, breaking Snake Boy’s hold on me. Speaking of holding
, Alexander is touching me.

I raised our joined hands. “How is this possible?” No crazy energy spikes erupted and I still breathed like a pro.

“We’re mitigating the effect of your connection,” Thomas explained from the couch.

“We?”

“In terms you can understand,” Tessa continued. “We are holding back the wave.”

“For the moment,” Thomas cautioned.

“Okay, thanks, I guess. So, are there any more invisible vampires in the room? Because apparently
when you ordered everyone out, there were exceptions. How many more surprises do I have to deal with?”

Thomas’s green eyes narrowed. “This is it,
cara mia
. We near the end.”

My stomach clenched at his words. I squeezed Alexander’s hand and returned my attention to the monster in the corner. He massaged Adrian’s shoulders while Faith stared at him in horror, frozen in place and in need of rescue. I moved in her direction, but Alexander pulled me back.

“What’s wrong, Youngling,” the dark vampire taunted Alexander. “Afraid I will take away your new little trinket?”

I stiffened. “Did you just call me a toy?”

And he’d called Alexander, Youngling. Apparently, my new guy is the baby vampire on the block. I filed away the info for another day, another conversation. Assuming, of course, we made it out in one piece. No guarantee of that, given the powerful, creepy vampire in the corner. I glared at Mister Creepy, refusing to let him see how much his unblinking stare unnerved me.

Adrian opened his eyes, head resting against the vampire’s torso. “Jonas. Rina. Please don’t.” He gazed up at Jonas like a lovesick puppy.

My irritation ramped up another notch. “Don’t what? What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you act so whipped.”

Jonas quirked one dark brow. “There was no flogging. Not tonight, anyway.”

I threw him a disgusted look. “Okay, I get it. You’re lovers. So what? But looks to me like you had way more than a little bit of sex tonight. Look at him. Were you trying to kill your snack? Or is it always that kinky with you two?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?” His reply confused me, but I received no clarification. The already frigid temperature in the room dropped further. I shivered and Alexander wrapped his arm around my waist. It felt nice. Natural.
I like it.

Too bad I had a mere millisecond to enjoy it.

Jonas snared Faith with his gaze. “Do not move.” His voice reverberated around the room, the power in it snapping at my skin like sharp static. A small cry escaped Faith.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled and sprang forward. Alexander caught me, trapped me to his body. “Let go.”

He shook his head, tightening his grip.

“Little witch, do not pry where you do not belong.” Faith whimpered at Jonas’s words.

I struggled against Alexander’s hold. “She’s not a witch, you idiot. Leave her alone, you’re hurting her.”

His dark eyes locked on mine. “So?”

Evil vampire. “So, stop it, you freak.”

His lips twitched. “Make me.”

I stilled in Alexander’s arms. “With. Pleasure.”

“Release her, Alexander.” This from Tessa.

Alexander complied and whooshed to the bar. I stalked to the corner with no idea how to fight such a powerful creature. Maybe I’d kick him in the head. I could probably
pull off a roundhouse over Adrian and the chair.

No kicking. Free her with your power,
a musical voice sang through my head. Tessa. Clearly
Thomas wasn’t the only
one with the mind-talking ability.

“That’s cheating.” Jonas heard Tessa, too. Did all vampires have access to my head?

No,
Jonas replied in mine. But he did.

“Stay out of there,” I snarled. I spun toward Tessa. “What power?” I tired of hearing about this mythical power I didn’t feel. Not helpful at the moment, therefore irrelevant.

Tessa scrutinized me. “She feels nothing, Thomas. You did your job all too well, my dear.”

“Indeed.”

I frowned. “Enough with the power talk. And
you
. Release Faith.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Make me,” he repeated.

My fists clenched, fury battling with fear. “Why are you doing this? We already know you’re big, bad, and scary. What are you trying to prove?”

“Rina.” Faith’s whisper drew my attention.

“Black as night, full of light, a universe inside,” she intoned.

Her robotic tone chilled my skin. “Faith?”

“Eyes gone black and glowing with power,” she continued. “It’s there for the taking. Use it.”

“Yes,” Jonas agreed. “Use it. If you dare.”

My lips twisted in an unfriendly
smile.

Adrian cursed, tried to drag himself out of the chair, and failed. Jonas moved Adrian and the chair aside with one smooth, effortless push. I took the invitation. The way cleared, I attacked. I was adequately
trained, but with his unnatural speed and agility, he easily
dodged and deflected my every punch and kick. And never once retaliated.

The bastard is toying with me.

I stopped my futile attack. “You suck,” I panted, hands on my thighs.

He arched a brow.

I rolled my eyes and jerked my head at Faith. “Well?”

I expected him to ignore my request and taunt me some more with his super powers. Instead, he released her with a regal flick of his wrist. Faith swooned. I made a run for her, but Alexander beat me there and caught her before she hit the floor.

I pointed to the couch by the door. “There, please.” In other words, as far away from Jonas as possible.

Alexander placed her there gently, removed his jacket and covered her. A rush of gratitude ran through me at his thoughtful act. I smiled my thanks at him, but he failed to respond in kind, his face contorted in a scowl. He bared his fangs and hissed at something behind me.

I pivoted, but too late.

Jonas rushed me in a blur of speed. He took our bodies airborne then slammed me onto the bar. One cold, iron hand gripped my throat, the other shoved against my stomach. He unleashed his power and a thousand electrified needles pierced my skin. My eyes rolled up in my head.

“Damn you, Thomas,” Alexander roared. “Let me help her.”

“No.”

“Get out of my way.” Alexander’s voice lowered with aggression.

“Do not interfere, Youngling.” Jonas’s power charged the room, jolting me like some horrible supernatural Taser. I spasmed in his grip, red tinting my vision.

The power hit Alexander and tossed him across the room into Heaven’s door. The walls shook from the impact. Every glass object behind the bar clanked and rattled. Alexander crumpled to the floor, unmoving.

Thomas, help me!
I screamed.

Jonas’s face neared mine. “That’s cheating.”

He trailed his knuckles down my cheek and an image flashed in my mind. His head lowering, lips pressing against mine in a soft, gentle kiss. My eyes widened.
A memory?
No. I didn’t know this lunatic. No way would I kiss this monster. It had to be a trick.

“Are you sure?” His thumb slid over my lower lip.

Unease churned my stomach.

“Jonas, please. Don’t hurt her,” Adrian pleaded. I’d forgotten he was there.

“Worry not, lover,” Jonas replied to my friend. “It won’t hurt. Much.”

But in my head, he taunted me.
I lie. It will hurt. A lot.

A burst of terror-fueled adrenaline torpedoed me. I struggled with everything I had, but his power drove me down, sinking me deep into the black well of his eyes until I surrendered, the resistance melting from my muscles. His electric power crackled over my skin in triumph. My head throbbed, threatening to explode.

Jonas expelled a derisive snort. “She is lost to us, Thomas.”

“Perhaps it is you who have lost your touch, Jonas,” Tessa called from the couch. Was she blithely sitting there this whole time?

“She is of no use, Tessa. She cannot help our cause.”

“You do not know that. We have yet to open her.” Thomas relaxed on the couch, unfazed by my cries for help. Was Alexander still out cold on the floor?

Yes.
Jonas replied to my thought with a thought.

Faith?

Asleep. More or less.
Jonas considered Thomas. “Yes, yes, by all means, let us have a deeper look inside. Though I am not optimistic of the outcome.”

“I do not condone your methods this night,” Tessa cautioned. “And I am sure Maurizio would not, either.”

“He has left it to my discretion,” Thomas interjected. “You had your chance, Tessa. Your gentle caress proved inadequate.”

“You dare.” Her power pulsed through the room. “With a bit more time—”

“No,” Thomas cut her off. “We do it now. Our way.”

I didn’t like the sound of that.

Thomas joined us and they each took an arm.
Oh, hell no
. I knew where this led. Been there, already experienced that. Didn’t want a repeat performance.

I locked eyes with Thomas. “Please, don’t.”

He brought my hand to his lips. “What is closed must open.”

“But you said never without my permission. I don’t give it. I say no. Don’t.”

“Did I say that?” He nuzzled my wrist. Jonas mirrored his action with the other.

My heart hammered. “No. Tessa, make them stop.”

“Please, stop,” Adrian pleaded.

“Sleep,” Jonas commanded and Adrian passed out.

My throat constricted around a scream. “Alexander?” I croaked.

Jonas’s lips curled back from his fangs. “The Youngling cannot help you. Just as you cannot help yourself.”

“So it is left to us,” Thomas added.

“To us,” echoed Jonas.

Foreboding frazzled my last nerve. I addressed Thomas. “But why? Why now? Why like this?”

Tessa joined the men. “Little star.” She stroked my forehead. “There is much to tell, but little time, my darling. If you open alone and far away, they fear you will be lost forever.”

Her lavender scent surrounded me, but pain still spiked my head like a thousand stabbing knitting needles. “Are you saying if you’re not around to help that I’ll go crazy when my memory returns?”

“Yes.” Jonas nipped my wrist. Shocks sizzled my skin where he teased it and I shivered.

“Or die. For your power unlocks along with your memory.” Thomas expelled a breath over my wrist, his power like chilled water bathing my arm.

An angry growl heralded Alexander’s arrival. He towered over Tessa, pressing forward, but she stopped him with a dainty hand to his chest.

“Desist, Youngling,” she commanded, voice sharp. “Do not force us to restrain you once more.”

He backed down, arms crossed, handsome face lined with worry.

My eyes flicked to Jonas. “Do you have to bite me for this to work?”

Jonas nodded.

“But why?”

“Enough questions.” His teeth grazed my skin.

My heart pounded a chaotic rhythm
in my chest.

“Carina,
cara mia
.” Thomas’s lips hovered over my frantic pulse. “Blood is power. Blood is control. It must be done.”

“Enough talk,” Jonas grumbled.

I gave Thomas wide, watery eyes.

He kissed my wrist once, twice. “As it was done, so shall it be undone. As one.”

“As one,” Jonas echoed.