Kindred (Kindred, Book 1) (35 page)

“I never doubted you would join us. I had not, however, expected you to be so captivating, so entirely enchanting.” When I didn't say anything in return, he gave me one more of those devastating smiles, lighting up the room in the warmth of its glow. “I shall leave you now, as my Nafrini calls, but it is with the utmost regret.”

I found my voice, somehow the thought of him dropping everything to run when called by his vampire gave my voice the strength that it had only just now lacked. “I have more questions. About what I am, what I can do.”

“And you shall have answers, my little Kiwi. Tomorrow, I could not stay away any longer, than deny who I am.” He nodded his head again, in that slow measured movement, a ghost of a kiss on my lips and flickered out of sight, the warmth of his hands and mouth still lingering against mine.

It was difficult to think of anything else as I waited for sunset to arrive and the chance to talk to Michel. I decided to head towards
Sensations
early, making my arrival there right on dusk. There was a vamp I didn't recognise on the door, a big guy, similar in build to Bruno, but with a crooked nose - that didn't make him lose any of his handsome features, but instead just dirtied them up a bit, like he could be a bad boy if he tried and you let him - and rosy red lips. His hair was in a mass of dark curls, cascading down his back, he was dressed in the obligatory black, tight jeans and an even tighter top. His muscles bulged everywhere. And I mean everywhere. There appeared to be a sudden influx of damn fine looking men in my world all of a sudden.

He had a strong
Sanguis Vitam
signature, level two I'd say, but he was reining it in, keeping it in check. I had no doubt this guy could be intimidating, but instead he just levelled his big baby blue eyes on me and inclined his head in greeting.

“
Evening, Lucinda. I am Jett, it is a pleasure to meet the Master's kindred.”

Well I'll be. A polite vampire. “Hi Jett. I haven't seen you around before.”

“I am new to the family. Michel has kindly taken those of us willing, in Jock's line, under his protection. He has my undying support as does his kindred Nosferatin.”

Oh, well that made sense. Although Jock had not been under the Durand line, he had an accord with Michel, making him a close ally at the very least. And because of Michel's higher power level, a subject to Michel's power at the most. As Jock had been killed, all of those vampires under him were now masterless, having to find their own way in the supernatural world without the protection of a family. Some of them, like old Jett here, would have been strong enough to branch out on their own, but political wheeling and dealing that is the vampire world, would have undoubtedly made Jett choose to align himself with Michel. Michel was powerful now, rather than step out on his own and have to perhaps combat Michel in the future for the snub his declining Michel's offer would have been, he chose the politically correct road. Join forces and keep Michel happy.

So, the family had grown. Why did that scare me ever so slightly?

“
OK. Well, welcome to the family, I guess.” He nodded and opened the door to the club for me.

It was early, so there weren't too many people around, but Shane Smith was manning the door to the private area where I could feel Michel was, so I headed on over, taking a cursory glance around me. It never pays to
not
notice your surroundings when you're a vampire hunter. And despite being Michel's kindred Nosferatin and all and the hubbub that created, making all the big bad vampires offer up their undying whatever, I could never let my guard down. It just wasn't in my nature anymore.

Shane's face broke into it's usual unguarded smile. “Hey, Luce. How're ya doing?”

I couldn't help it, I smiled back. Part of me wondered though, if Shane wasn't as stupid as he appeared. He had the uncanny ability to make a hardened vampire hunter lower her guard with just a smile. What had I just been saying about that not being in my nature any more?

“
Good thanks, Shane. How about you?”

“
Never better. The boss has given me a promotion.” He said it with such pride, as though this was something he had been coveting for some time and Michel had just given him the moon. He said it as though he would do everything in his power not to let the faith in him, the boss had shown, down.

“
That's great, Shane! What's the job?”

“
Liaison to all the new vamps joining the family. I'm to help them settle.”

Oh dear, poor Shane. He had no idea what he was up against. Some of those new guys would have his guts for garters, no two ways about it. The desire to climb the ladder in the Durand line would be too great and what better way to show the boss they had what it took to be at the top of the heap, than prove their domination over another. Shane was a prime target. Why had Michel put him in that spot? Was he testing him? Was he tired of him and just wanted the problem that was Shane and his non-existent power level, solved by someone else's hand other than his own? I only hoped Shane was a whole lot more clever than I had been giving him credit for all along.

“Well, that's, um, super, Shane. Good luck with that.”

He just beamed at me and punched the code in the door that lead to Michel's quarters.

I walked down the plush hallway with a soft smile playing on my lips. Shane just did that to me, plus I was about to see Michel, how could I not be smiling?

I had barely stepped inside his office, where I had felt his presence and sensed his
Sanguis Vitam
softly humming, when I felt a hard unforgiving hand go around my throat, almost crushing it and my feet suddenly leave the floor as my body was hoisted in the air and thrust hard against the wall at my back.

Oomph.

What the fuck?

My stake was out and pushed against the chest of the vampire that held me in an instant. If I hadn't have been able to focus properly and see just who that vampire was, I would have slid the stake home without a second's pause, without any hesitation at all.

His grip lessened, I'm guessing in response to the tip of that very sharp silver stake and I slid down the wall to land on my now extremely shaky legs, his hand still at my throat, the swirls of amethyst, violet and magenta battling in his eyes, his fangs flashing in the light of the room.

“
What are you doing?” I croaked.

“
You smell of another,” Michel's voice growled. “It is all over you. You reek.”

Charming. I stink do I? “Well, you're the one adding to the Durand line,” I said, trying to pry his fingers off my throat. He didn't budge, at least I could swallow though. Oh, and breathe.

“This is not one of mine. I do not recognise the scent.” His voice hadn't altered, it thrummed with unbridled menace.

Huh? “I haven't been near any other vampires, other than Jett at the door and Shane inside the bar. You're mistaken.”

He growled and I swear it sounded like a Taniwha or tiger or some other particularly big and scary and nasty wild animal.

Suddenly I couldn't swallow after all.

“I..I don't know who it is. I swear I haven't been near another vampire, Michel. Now. Let. Me. Go!” I had raised my stake back up to his chest, pushing the tip of it in through the fabric of his jacket, but not piercing his skin.

“
Would you kill me and in turn yourself, Hunter?”

“
If I had to, yes.” I hadn't hesitated, not even flinched.

We stared at each other then. Michel searching my face for an answer he wasn't going to get. I was scared and angry, my throat hurt like a bitch and I was damned if I was going to let him see any of that.

He slowly released his hand from my throat, I fought every instinct and desire I had to touch where he had nearly crushed me and just met his gaze and lifted my chin. His eyes travelled to the marks he had left on my neck and I saw him hesitate, as if noticing for the first time that he had hurt me.

“
Someone has marked you,” he said quietly, rigidly. “It is an intentional mark. They mean for me to notice it.” His hand reached up and touched my neck then, tracing the bruises already forming there, his eyes still blazing, but not holding the menace of before. “I could have killed you. I wanted to.”

My mind was reeling, he wanted to kill me? I had never seen that one coming and now the realisation of the world I had just married myself into, was slamming against my mind. What the hell have I done? Pushing that daunting thought aside, I tried to focus on the immediate problem. I hadn't been in contact with any vampires other than Jett and Shane today. I actually hadn't been in touch with anyone, I'd stayed inside my apartment all day, catching up on laundry and housework, even a vampire hunter has chores. The only other being I had seen was Nero.

Nero. He had held my hands, kissing both them and me before he left. It didn't make sense, but somehow I knew that Nero had done this, had not been able to resist the urge. Could Nero fake vampire scent? Was it one of his powers?

Michel was watching me intently, he knew I had figured something out, hell he could probably sense my emotions. What was I feeling? Initially fear, anger and uncertainty. Now it was more like confusion, resentment and unfortunately, I can't deny it, awe laced with respect. Nero, you naughty, naughty boy.

Michel cocked a delicate eyebrow at me. Oh great, this was going to be fun. Not.

“
Um, I had a visit from Nero today.”

Michel stilled, didn't say anything but the implication of his rigid stance and continued raised eyebrows said
go on.

“
He wants to train me. Help me to develop my skills as a Nosferatin.” I figured that was the least threatening thing to open with, mustn't upset the already borderline homicidal vampire. His fangs were still out after all.

“
Why now?” Oh goody, short sentences. Maybe Michel was picking up that habit from me. He doesn't miss much though, cutting right to the crux of the issue with those two simple words.

My throat was well and truly burning now, swallowing was damn near impossible. I could feel hot tears trying to pool in the corner of my eyes. Damn it all to hell, I was going to have to be the one to give in, wasn't I?

I reached up to my throat and managed a half croak, half whispered, “Ouch.” Pathetic? Me? Nah.

He couldn't help it, I knew he was fighting it, but his lips quirked at the edges slightly and gave himself away. He reached up and placed one hand behind my head, cupping my neck, the other began tracing the bruises at the front and sides.

“Lower your shields,” he said softly.

The rush of tingling his healing touch gave me came thrumming into my neck, I felt the ache lessen and my throat expand again, but it didn't stop there. He sent a wave of pure desire through me, hot and sharp and oh so sweet, making me gasp and collapse against his chest. I tried to raise my shields against the onslaught of hunger and need I was now forced to feel, but his
Sanguis Vitam
fluctuated, practically slapping them away, with a simple flick. He was proving a point, or trying to mark me himself, either way I was completely at his mercy.

I had forgotten just how intoxicating his power could be, when he wanted to, he could turn me into a puddle of molten goo begging for release. I hadn't had to think about it lately, just before we'd joined he'd been somewhat behaving himself and after we joined, his power had no effect over me at all. Only when I allowed him to, like now, by lowering my shields. I swore to myself that I would rather be in excruciating pain for eternity than ever let him behind my walls again.

His mouth came down and claimed mine, kissing with a ferociousness I hadn't seen before. “You are mine,” he growled against my lips before sending a spike of longing through me that made me whimper out loud.

His hand was still clutching my neck, the other now moving up and down my side, around my back, down to my rear and then back up to my breast. His touch, which normally would have sent uncontrolled shudders through my body anyway, simply burned me now, when coupled with his power stoking the flames. The longing and desire had morphed into a fervent need and ardent hunger so hard and strong I could hardly breathe.

I was clutching him and whimpering and moaning and making all manner of extremely unladylike demands, yet it wasn't enough. If I didn't get closer, didn't have all of him, I knew with a certainty that I would die. I was prepared to sell my soul for another kiss, murder a legion of innocents to feel his touch, and denounce all that is holy and light just to be near him.

Every nerve ending was so raw, screaming out to be satisfied, my world had shrunk to just the two of us and he was denying me what I needed to breathe, to stay alive. The longing and need were interlaced with rejection and abandonment, but still didn't stop me from wanting more. My body begged, my mind implored and my words pleaded.
Please, please, please, please, please, please.

Finally, somehow, he must have realised that what he was doing was wrong, or at the very least managed to get some of his anger under control and decided I'd had enough punishment for the day. Because this was definitely his punishment, even if it hadn't been my fault, that Nero had marked me without my knowledge or consent, to a vampire the result was where the punishment laid and I had come to him smelling of someone else. His power level slowly diminished. The fervent desire and longing, need and hunger he had evoked within me, washing away, until finally, all that was left was rage. My rage, no one else's. It was all me and I threw it out at him as hard and as fast and with as much strength as I could muster.