I Kissed a Dog (10 page)

“Do they still drink human blood?” I was fascinated.

“There are different populations of vampires. Some have found a way to exist on animal
blood. Others feed off criminals. And, yes, there are still vampires that thrive on
seducing humans. A few have specialized powers like flying, mindreading, mind control,
even the ability to teleport from one place to another.”

“Is that how you got here so fast?” I asked, reminded of their unconventional travel
method.

Michael’s eyes darted to Mack, who turned to Zane.

“Well?” I looked toward Zane since he seemed to be my sole hope of an honest answer
to this particular question.

“A vampire friend teleported them here. We work closely with some of the vampires,”
Zane admitted with reluctance.

“The vegetarians and the ones who feed off the bad guys,” Michael explained, as if
my knowing that little tidbit would make their partnership more tolerable.

Curious to know more than he was revealing, I pushed through Michael’s ineffective
mental barrier. He was recalling the memory of teleporting. An attractive twenty-something
man, with black sunglasses, rested his hands on Michael and his father. In a blink,
they vanished. The next picture revealed the three of them standing by Zane’s mailbox.

“There was a vampire
here
?” The idea repulsed me. Vegetarian or not, the image of a bloodsucker was just too
much. Maybe a vampire had attacked Missy. “The zebra’s blood …”

“No,” Zane said. “Like werewolves and well-behaved mutants, human-owned animals are
off limits for vampires to hunt”

“I thought you said there were exceptions to the rules. Maybe a rogue vampire?” I
wasn’t convinced.

“We’re done with this discussion. You’re going to have to trust me, Chloe. I will
protect you. You know more than any human should. This knowledge puts you in greater
danger.”

“You can’t make up your mind, can you?” I snapped; regretting my disrespectful tone
in front of his guests.

“I think it’s best you get some sleep,” he said, his irritation obvious. “I’ll wake
you in time for our flight.”

Wishing I could teleport far away from the scrutinizing gazes of three werewolves,
one in particular, I struggled up from the sunken couch and rammed my little toe against
the coffee table’s protruding leg. Refusing to acknowledge the biting pain, I hobbled
to the bedroom door, where I tripped over a tear in the worn carpet and found myself
sailing across the room. I collided with the bed, face first.

My clumsiness was becoming quite the nuisance. Humiliated more than hurt, I dragged
myself onto the bed. Zane’s musky scent enveloping me.

“Are you all right?”

I didn’t need to look to know Zane was hovering above me. I heard the door click shut.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to challenge your pack authority. I …”

“Chloe, you’re not a werewolf. I’m not your leader. I appreciate the sentiment, but
both Mack and Michael realize you’re human. Humans aren’t even supposed to know we
exist, let alone understand our code of behavior.” He lowered himself to sit beside
me.

“You deserve to know the rest. The supernatural population is diverse; our history
is extensive, and far more complex than I could begin to explain right now. Just know
there is an unnoticed world right in the midst of yours. Other than angels and demons,
werewolves, mutants, and vampires are the largest sub-groups, though there are many
others. We go to great lengths to remain anonymous, but as you know, scores of stories
and myths about our kind exist. Though many are false, due to our meddling, some contain
bits of truth.

There are indeed humans who do know about us. Some are more sensitive to the supernatural.
Others hunt us.

Most of us try to live amongst your kind in peace, even protecting your race. But,
like humans, we have our own bad guys. Covering their tracks in order to maintain
our anonymity while making sure justice is served are top priorities.”

“Really?” I rolled over and sat up, feeling vulnerable lying down with him so near.
“I feel inadequate, lost even. This is all so overwhelming. I keep forgetting it isn’t
a dream.” A fresh wave of uncertainty threatened to drag me under.

“You’re not inadequate. It’s not a dream. I’m real. And you’re very, very real.” He
cupped my face.

The kiss was different from the others. He handled me like a fragile treasure, pressing
kisses across my cheeks, eyelids, and forehead. I clung to him like a life preserver,
afraid if I let go I’d drown.

All I wanted was him.

Sensing my need, he found my mouth and pulled me onto his lap. The electrical current
of insatiable desire, raging like a wildfire between us, exceeded any pleasure I’d
ever experienced. I wondered if a vampire’s need for blood surpassed my need for this
half-man half wolf. Somehow I doubted it.

I loosened the leather cord that bound his hair, releasing an avalanche of raven waves.
I wound my fingers through the dark mane. His hands mimicked mine, clutching and pulling
my curls as our kiss deepened.

A little moan escaped my lips, surprising me. I’d never felt so out of control.

Forgetting my virginal vow, I let my hands trail down, reveling in the sensation of
his muscular arms under my fingertips. His skin was fiery hot and smooth. The musky,
earthy scent that was all Zane wrapped around me.

“Are you sure, Princess?” He whispered; his golden eyes focused on my face.

Unable to tear myself from his gaze, I responded by scooting off his lap and stretching
out beside him. Faster than lightning, he positioned himself just above me, his hair
spilling around my face. When he lowered his mouth to my neck, I arched, winding my
arms around him, pulling him closer.

“Zane! We’ve got company!” Mack bellowed from the front room.

Zane, on his feet in an instant, commanded: “Into the closet! Go! Now!”

I was frozen on the bed, unable to obey. My body felt like melting butter, ready for
loving not running.

Then the funny rippling thing was happening all around him. Terrified to see him again
in his wolf form, I sprang toward the closet.

Crouched below several long-sleeved shirts and jackets, I reached with shaking hands
for the doorknob, but hesitated. Zane had morphed into a humongous, sable, wolf–like
creature. His thick fur spiked outward, making him appear even more formidable. A
menacing growl rippled through him, a chilling challenge to anyone
or
anything foolish enough to mess with him.

For a time-stopping moment, he was motionless like a statue. His ears twitched, followed
by another deep rumble. Slamming through the bedroom door, he shattered it into pieces.

Chapter
12
7

I heard the roars and snarls and flashed into Zane’s mind. No brick wall in sight.

Trying to make sense of the morphing images was difficult, and I struggled through
a minute of dizziness before honing in on the repulsive scene. Zane was flanked by
a smaller russet wolf and a large grey beast. With their lips curled back, the three
looked beyond intimidating.

“I knew what you were the first time we met.” A woman stepped into the werewolves’
path.

I couldn’t fathom why any sane human would face off with the feral purebreds.

For a split second, the scene vanished as a crimson haze shaded my eyes, and then
everything morphed. I was no longer watching the action as an observer.

I. Was. There.

I could see through Zane’s eyes as if they were my own.

Curious
, I shifted my vision and glanced down to confirm I was once again viewing my own
reality — inside the closet. Then, with what felt like a mental flip of a switch,
I was back inside Zane’s viewpoint ¯ amazing.

Watching the woman approach through Zane’s eyes was beyond peculiar. Everything remained
tinted beneath a reddish film. I could still identify natural colors, but his vision
was altered while he was in wolf form.

My ability had evolved from hearing and seeing Zane’s thoughts. I was now able to
hitch a ride through his senses — all of them. His fury slithered through me like
a spiraling serpent.

Before I could further explore our advanced connection, the woman took another
very
foolish step forward.

Recognition dawned; it was Detective Davis from Will’s house. The woman who’d scrutinized
Zane. As before, an overpowering need to protect him rose up inside me.

“I’m alone. Feel free to change back so we can chat,” she suggested casually, unafraid
of the ferocious wolves, who even on all fours reached her chest.

Don’t do it, Zane. Something’s wrong.
I forced my warning into Zane’s mind.

No kidding. Can you sense anyone else?

My initial reaction was no, but I concentrated harder. There was something about this
woman that just wasn’t right. She didn’t seem human, yet she wasn’t an animal.

I probed her mind. She stiffened, her eyes darting around the yard. I couldn’t see
or hear her thoughts; but was assaulted by her emotions — the primary an overwhelming
sense of confidence. There was just a hint of well-warranted fear. Everything else
seemed hazy and like jumbled puzzle inside her mind. I pulled out, troubled by what
I’d felt.

Not human, but something else. I silenced my mind and listened, knowing I might be
searching for another creature like her.

Sure enough, similar to last night at the bar, I located the energy of several unidentified
beings. They waited in the shadows by an old pole barn. I could sense their tension
and eagerness to join the group.

There are more of whatever she is. They’re hiding by the barn. What are they?

I don’t have a clue. This is something new.

“Are you trying to figure me out, wolf?” she asked, keeping her gaze fixed on Zane.
“Because you won’t.”

Another threatening rumble was his response.

Unable to control my increasing anxiety, I slipped from the closet.

What did his neighbors think about these strange happenings? I’d remember to ask Zane
more about his living arrangements, later, after this current wave of danger passed
… if it passed.

Ahead of me, the front door yawned open, revealing the three wolves facing Detective
Davis. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but she was gesturing dramatically. The
wolves continued that low throat rumble that I’d come to recognize as a major warning
signal. I was surprised the detective wasn’t minus her head or at least a limb by
now.

Crouching low, I peered out the open door.

“
You
, my dear, should have stayed in the closet,” said a pleasant but unfamiliar voice.

Bewildered more than scared, I turned to face the source of the deep British accent,
which under normal circumstances, I would have found enticing.

“You’re the vampire,” I whisper-hissed at the sight of his pallid face so close to
mine. His eyes were a shocking blue, like pools of liquid turquoise. I recognized
him as the teleporter.

“So glad you noticed.” His mouth bowed into a wide grin revealing two gleaming fangs.

“Your teeth are so white.” I couldn’t help myself. I’d never seen such polished teeth.
Maybe vampires had their own special teeth-whitening products.

“You’re the first human in five centuries to comment on the whiteness of my teeth.
They’re more focused on their sharpness,” he paused, inhaling. “I must say, Chloe,
you smell divine.”

Unsure whether to thank him or scream; I decided to acknowledge his fangs with flattery.
“Your fangs
are
so sharp,
and
you know my name. Are you friend or foe?” I figured I’d know the answer to the second
question soon enough, but his polite demeanor stirred just enough courage for me to
ask.

“My name is Alcuin. I was named after the British scholar known as the ‘Alcuin of
York.’ As for your second query, in this case, I am friend; though that could change
rather quickly depending on the circumstances.”

I exhaled; relieved at least for the moment the vampire was a friend. He remained
crouched just behind me, stirring something akin to desire, yet nothing like what
I felt with Zane.

“I find you quite desirable as well, Ms. Chloe. Should you tire of the wolf, I’m available,”
he whispered closer to my neck now.

“All righty, moving on now to the standoff outside,” I winced, ashamed of my impure
thoughts. “What’s happening? Why are they here? And,
what
are they?”

“Direct, aren’t you?” Alcuin nodded his approval. “The woman who calls herself, Detective
Davis, is a supernatural-hybrid. I’ve just recently detected their existence.”

“I don’t understand.” It didn’t help that my latest companion didn’t seem to know
anything more than I did.

“Maybe the faes have decided to get involved, or …”

“As in Faeries?” My brain had reached the shutdown point hours ago. The vampire’s
attempt to explain what he didn’t understand added to my frayed nerves. I knew that
Tinker Bell wasn’t one of the faeries he was referring to.

“Oh, my. You’ve assimilated far too much information for one day.” Sounding sympathetic,
he turned his attention back to the scene outside.

Following his gaze, I spotted four shadowy figures skulking around the pole barn.
Somehow I’d miscounted. “Zane! Lookout!” I screamed, realizing too late how ridiculous
my warning was. The werewolves would have spotted the intruders long before I did.

Every werewolf and hybrid head swung my way. I could see Detective Davis’ eyes glowing
blood red. “Uh oh,” I fell back.