Night Unbound (14 page)

Sarah nodded. “If I weren't as strong as Roland, I don't know that I would have defeated him.”

Edward swore. “I came up against one, too. Just a couple of nights ago. I thought it was a fluke.”

“One skilled vampire is a fluke,” Chris said. “Five isn't. Five is a problem.”

Roland looked to Lisette. “Were you able to read their minds?”

“Yes, but I could glean little more than that they thought the other vampires beneath them and intended to kill them once they proved to be of no more use to them.”

“Sounds like Dennis,” Ami commented. “The night he captured me, I saw Dennis lose it completely and hack several of his followers to pieces with a machete.”

“Jeez!” Krysta exclaimed.

Chris sighed. “Clearly someone is amassing a new vampire army. And, based on the descriptions I was given of the fights, I suspect one of his or her goals is to capture an immortal.”

Melanie frowned. “Why would that be a priority for vampires? Are they interested in immortals' advanced DNA?”

Bastien wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I doubt vampires know about the DNA. Those I used to encounter when I thought myself one of them certainly never did. But I can have Cliff ask those he encounters outside of network headquarters some subtle questions to see if that's changed.”

Roland cast him a disapproving scowl. “You're really taking him hunting with you?”

“Yes. And will allow him to roam freely a couple of times a week so he can connect with other vampires without them instantly going on the defensive when they see an Immortal Guardian at his side.”

Marcus straightened. “You're going to let him roam freely? Are you crazy? He could tell them everything he knows. He could tell them about Ami! Any vampire wanting to get his hands on an immortal would be doubly eager to capture the only woman to ever successfully conceive a child by one.”

Seth shook his head. “He hasn't told anyone, nor do I believe he will. David and I will take turns reading his thoughts each night after he hunts to make sure, but—as I said—I don't believe he will betray us.”

Lisette watched Marcus absorb that with deep unease while the others compared verbal notes on the vampires they had come up against in recent weeks. She glanced at Ami to see how
she
was taking this.

Just then, Ami looked up at the ceiling for a long moment, then peeked at Seth with an
I hope he didn't catch that
expression.

Oh, crap. He wouldn't do it, would he?

Zach would
not
be so monumentally foolish as to follow Lisette to David's place and perch on the damned roof, knowing Seth was beneath it, itching to hand Zach his own ass again.

He wouldn't be that foolish, right?

Lisette kept her gaze on Ami.

Ami glanced at the ceiling again. A moment passed. She smiled, then lowered her head and rubbed her tummy.

Damn it! He had! What the hell?

Ami must have sensed his presence in that odd way she could. Had she spoken to him telepathically as well?

If so, how had she managed to do so without Seth and David picking up on it?

“Why would the vampires want to capture an immortal?” Marcus asked. “Why not just try to kill us as usual?”

Bastien leaned forward and braced his elbows on the table. “The vampires in the army I raised knew very little about immortals. I knew little of you myself.” Would he
ever
consider himself one of them? “I knew Roland had to be as old as I was, but I had no idea immortals could live thousands of years.”

Marcus frowned. “I'm not sure where you're going with this.”

“Vampires may not know immortals have advanced DNA or how long-lived you are,” Bastien said. “But they
do
know you're faster and stronger than they are. Some of the vampires who followed me firmly believed that drinking your blood would give them the same speed and strength, the same power. According to their reasoning, capturing an immortal and using him as a nightly donor would render the effects permanent. When I waged my war with you, I had a hell of a time convincing them to fight to
kill
instead of fighting to
capture.
”

Chris studied him. “You've never mentioned this before.”

Bastien shrugged. “I didn't think it pertinent. The vampires were all dead, save Vince, Cliff, and Joe. I didn't think their mistaken beliefs mattered.”

Chris leaned back in his chair. “Well, that could be the answer. Some vampire out there with a lust for power may be telling his followers that they can become faster and stronger if they capture an Immortal Guardian and use him or her as a blood bank. And he's choosing the humans he transforms very carefully.” He drew a picture out of the soft leather briefcase he often carried with him and held it up for all to see. “Lisette snapped a pic of the vampire she and Richart took out. I had some of my guys do a facial recognition search and came up with a former marine.”

Lisette studied the picture of the soldier. “The two Ethan and I fought last night could have been ex-military as well. They certainly had been trained in hand-to-hand combat.”

Chris nodded. “The vampire we're dealing with is still lucid and is no moron.”

“We need to identify the source of this uprising,” Seth said, “before it gets out of hand. If you come up against any of these more competent vampires, take them alive if at all possible. Start carrying auto-injectors that contain a vampire's dose of the sedative if you don't already do so.”

“Younger immortals,” David added, “should consider hunting in pairs again. For now, it's voluntary. If the situation escalates, however, it will become mandatory.”

All nodded.

“Étienne and Lisette,” Seth ordered, “read the minds of every vamp you encounter, lucid or manic.
Someone
knows who the leader is. We need to find that vampire.”

Lisette nodded.

Her brother did the same.

“Anything else?” Seth queried.

Everyone waited expectantly, then shrugged and shook their heads.

“Fine. Meeting adjourned. Safe hunting tonight.”

Lisette rose, intending to make a quick escape.

Seth caught her before she could and motioned Tracy over. As soon as Tracy reached them, Seth touched their shoulders and teleported them to . . .

Lisette looked around. “Where are we?”

“My castle in England.”

“Really? It looks different.” Almost modern.

He smiled. “You haven't been here in several decades. We've remodeled since then.”

She pretended to take in the changes he'd made in the great hall while she wondered nervously why he had brought them there.

“I'd like to apologize for tonight,” he said. “Had I not pressed you to explain your recent absence, Lisette, Tracy would not have had to reveal her secret and . . .”

Tracy sent him a wry smile. “Been thoroughly humiliated?”

He winced. “Yes. Again, I sincerely apologize.” His gaze shifted to Lisette. “I know how concerned you've been about Ami. I know you've seen her dreams and have grown as protective of her as David, Marcus, and I are. So, when you abruptly ceased visiting, I feared something was amiss. Considering my age, it should come as no surprise to you that I'm a bit old-fashioned and tend to worry a little more about female Immortal Guardians than I do males.”

Lisette and Tracy shared a look.
A little?

He offered Lisette a sheepish smile. “Or a lot. There are so few of you.”

Female Immortal Guardians were exceedingly rare. Most female
gifted ones
suffered torturous deaths at the hands of vampires before they could complete their transformation.

Seth shrugged. “Hell, for all I knew, you could have simply taken a lover and desired some privacy.”

Tracy grinned at Lisette. “That would have been
awesome.
Do it! I'll give you all the space you need.”

Seth laughed. “And I shall endeavor to mind my own business in the future.”

Guilt poured through Lisette as she forced herself to smile back. Since he seemed to expect a response, she uttered a simple, “Okay.”

“Hey,” Tracy said, “I don't suppose you'd be willing to bury everyone's memory of my dreams, would you? Or at least the subject of them?”

He offered her an apologetic smile. “Regrettably, no. I prefer not to alter someone's brain unless such is absolutely necessary. Burying memories can be tricky.”

Tracy sighed. “It was worth a try.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “You can't always judge a book by its cover, you know.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

He winked. “If you look a little deeper, you may find that there is more to Sheldon than meets the eye.”

Both women's mouths fell open.

“Are you playing matchmaker?” Tracy asked incredulously.

His smile vanished. “No. Definitely not. Not at all. And, if any immortal should ask you that, please tell them I'm not.”

Okay. That was just bizarre. Had some immortal actually accused him of playing matchmaker?

Seth drew out a pocket watch, consulted it, and put it away again. “Tracy, you're welcome to continue spending the day at David's. Lisette, if you wish to continue sleeping at home without her, you need to check in with her frequently to assure her you're safe. I don't want to take any chances of your falling into the hands of the new vampire army with Tracy being none the wiser because you're spending less time together. She's your Second. Make sure you keep her informed of your every move so she'll know if you go missing.”

Lisette nodded. “I will.”

“Excellent.” He touched their shoulders and returned them to David's place. “Safe hunting.”

“You too,” Lisette said.

He crossed to David's side. Lisette heard him mention something about Peru. Then he vanished.

“You want me to stay the day here again?” Tracy asked.

Hell no. Not after the embarrassment Tracy had just suffered. The jokes that would follow would be numerous and frequent.

But Lisette needed the house to herself. “If you really don't mind.”

“Nah. Any bullshit they can dish out, I can take.” Tracy
was
tough. “Is it okay if I go by the house and pick up a few things?”

“Sure.”

“I'll head over there in a few then.”

Lisette gave her a big hug.
I owe you one
.

Tracy smiled.
No, you don't
. She was a good friend.

Lisette called good night to the room in general and left through the front door.

Thankfully, no one followed.

When she reached her Busa, she studied the front of the house carefully to ensure no one peered out of any of the windows.

Nothing and no one. Good.

She cast a glance up at the roof and,
damn it,
there he was!

Perched in his usual spot on the roof, Zach tossed her a jaunty wave. Moonlight glinted on his beautiful wings (now healed) and silky hair.

Lisette clamped her lips shut and glared up at him as fury rushed through her. Pointing a stiff index finger at him, she then jerked a thumb over her shoulder, telling him without words to get the hell out of there and follow her.

A grin split his face.

Unbelievable.

Rising, he offered her a courtly bow and leapt into the sky.

It took considerable effort not to grumble under her breath as she retrieved her helmet, slammed it down over her head, and straddled the bike. As soon as the engine purred to life, she raced down the drive.

A full moon graced the night sky above her, unhindered by the sparse, wispy clouds that meandered across it.

Passing through the security gate at the end of the drive, she turned onto the main, two-lane road. Lisette burned up the pavement, a thousand thoughts and curses flooding her mind as the wind tugged at her coat.

A shadow passed over her, cast by the bright moon. Zach's shadow, wings spread, danced on the pavement, zigzagging across her path, almost playful in its antics.

Ten miles flashed past. Then ten more.

That should do it.

Having placed sufficient distance between them and David's place to ensure no immortal would overhear them and reduce the possibility of running into an immortal on his way out to hunt, Lisette turned onto a narrow dirt road, followed it several yards into the trees, and killed the engine.

Zach landed on the parched ground several feet away from Lisette and drew his wings in close to his back. He smiled as she removed her helmet and coat and stashed them on the bike.

Her movements, usually graceful, were now stiff with what he came to discern as anger as she turned to face him. “Are you out of your mind?” she came close to shouting.

“No,” he answered. “Why do you ask?”

She growled—actually
growled
—with fury and stomped toward him. “What the hell were you thinking?”

Zach's heart began to beat faster.

Her alabaster skin seemed to glow in the moonlight. Luminous amber eclipsed her brown eyes. Color flushed her cheeks. The full breasts beneath her tight T-shirt rose and fell with swift, angry breaths.

Absolutely stunning.

“What's the subject here?” he murmured.

“Why did you follow me to David's?” she demanded, stopping only a couple of feet away. “You keep telling me Seth has it in for you, and then you show up at a meeting you know he will attend? What the hell?”

She smelled good, too, he thought as he surreptitiously drew in her scent. “Technically, I didn't
show up
at the meeting. I eavesdropped upon it.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Don't bullshit me, Zach. Are you, or are you
not
on Seth's shit list?”

“I am.”

“Then why were you at David's? If he had sensed your presence—”

“I was there for you,” Zach interrupted, curling his hands into loose fists to keep from reaching out and touching her. There was something so . . . stimulating about seeing her like this: full of pique and energy and life. “I was there to protect you.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Your mental barriers are no defense against Seth's or David's intrusion. If they were to read your thoughts and discover you've been meeting with me in secret, I wanted to be there to prevent them from rendering whatever punishment they thought your defection warranted.”

Frogs and crickets competed in song while she stared up at him, lips parted in surprise. “You were there because you were worried about me?”

“Yes.”

More frogs and crickets.

“Zach, if Seth and David had read my mind and decided to punish me, you couldn't have stopped them. As immensely powerful as you are, I don't see how you could defeat both Seth
and
David if they combined forces. And I know they would have. David and Seth are like this.” She held up two fingers and crossed them.

Seth and David
were
close. But, after everything Zach had seen in the past year, he knew that Seth wouldn't
need
to combine forces with David to defeat him.

Something it galled Zach to admit. “It was a risk I was willing to take.”

She threw up her arms. “Why?”

“I already told you. I was worried about you and wished to protect you.”

“Well, you can't do that,” she declared, confusion flirting with irritation in her features. “You can't just—”

He took a step closer to her.

She broke off.

He took another. “I want to try something.”

She closed her mouth. Something flared in her incandescent eyes.

He had spoken the same words to her in her dream. Did she remember?

Her throat moved in a swallow. “What?” she asked, voice hesitant.

“I want to try something,” he repeated, mere inches separating them.

“Okay.”

Zach raised a hand to her face, slid his fingers over her soft, soft skin.

Her breath caught.

Dipping his head, he pressed his lips to hers.

Electric.

His heart leapt to life inside his chest, ramming against his rib cage.

Lisette's heart began to beat as fast as his.

Tilting his head, he increased the pressure, deepened the contact, and drew his tongue across her lips. She tasted
incredible
. Even better than she had in the dream.

Heat rushed through him when she parted her lips and touched her tongue to his. Looping an arm around her waist, he drew her closer. Every muscle tightened with need as she rose onto her toes and leaned into him. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, wanting more. And she met the intrusion eagerly, returning stroke for stroke.

Zach had never felt anything like it in his long existence.

Fire ignited in his veins as she slid her arms around his neck and ground her hips into the erection that strained against the front of his leather pants.

And he didn't want it to end.

Breath coming fast, he raised his head.

She stared at him, face flushed with desire.

“You didn't pull away,” he whispered.

Shaking her head slowly, she smiled. “Are you going to try something else now?”

Zach smiled and, after giving her cheek one last stroke, slid his hand down to palm her breast. Her eyes glowed a brilliant amber, brighter than he had ever seen them. He drew his thumb across a hardened peak.

Moaning, she rocked her hips against his.

Lust careened through him, making him crave more. More of her taste. More of her touch.

As if she had read his thoughts, she buried her fingers in his silky hair and urged him to lower his head again. Their lips merged, tongues stroking and tasting. Emboldened by her response, he tightened his arm around her. Curled his fingers around her braid. Pressed her closer. Kneaded her breast. Explored. Teased. And, with every touch, every lick, and every brush of her soft, full lips, he grew more desperate, wanting to rip the clothes from their bodies and feel her bare flesh against his.

 

 

Lisette lowered her arms and slid them around his waist, intending to explore his broad, muscled back, and encountered satiny feathers.

She broke the kiss, surprised, and lowered her heels to the ground. She had forgotten for a moment. . . .

“Lisette?”

She glanced up.

The need in his golden eyes turned her insides to liquid fire.

“Is it . . . is it okay to touch them?” she asked, unsure.

The beautiful wings disappeared.

“Touch
me,
” he pleaded.

And any barrier that struggled to hold her back crumbled. Giving him a small smile, she nodded. Touch him? She could do that.

Lisette slid her arms around his waist and flattened her palms on his back.

She had been so distracted by his wings in the past that she hadn't noticed how ripped he was. Rising onto her toes, she brushed her lips against his. He responded hungrily as she explored his warm flesh with her fingers.

She had always appreciated strength. And Zach had it in spades. All muscle and sinew.

“You taste even better than I imagined,” he murmured, sending a warm spiral of pleasure darting through her.

“So do you.” And felt magnificent, too. Unable to resist, she drew her hands down and cupped his tight, leather-clad ass.

He groaned. Still kneading her breast, he thrust against her.

Mmmmmm
. So good. She wanted more.
Needed
more. Would he object to her jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist? Because just the thought of opening herself to him, of settling the heart of her against his arousal, of gaining higher ground to give her easier access to his lips and tongue made her—

Zach stiffened and raised his head.

Lisette opened her mouth to protest.

Quiet,
he cautioned.

It was the first time he had spoken to her telepathically, and the warm bass-baritone invading her mind, coupled with the body locked against hers, damned near made her orgasm.

Wrapping both arms around her, Zach eased them back into the dense trees.

Cool shadows engulfed them.

Lisette looked up at him, gradually becoming aware of a new tension gripping him.

His eyes focused on the canopy above them as he tilted his head and listened.

Lisette heard nothing but the usual nocturnal sounds that abounded in North Carolina.

Lips tightening, he looked over at her bike, illuminated by moonlight, thanks to a break in the trees.

He stretched a hand toward it.

Lisette's eyes widened when the Hayabusa silently rose into the air and floated over to join them in the shadows, the tires making only the faintest sound as he returned it to the ground.

That had been some display of power.

Meeting her gaze, Zach pressed a finger to his lips.

Desire receded, replaced by anxiety.

What did he hear? What was coming? Or who?

Was it the Others, whoever the hell they were? Had they found him?

She tightened her hold on him and waited.

The golden glow left Zach's eyes as he turned them up to the treetops once more.

Minutes passed.

Lisette heard the gentle flap of wings approach. Large wings, but not large enough to match Zach's.

A shadow flitted across the moonlit ground her Busa had formerly inhabited as something passed overhead.

Time ticked by, every minute feeling like an hour.

At last, Zach relaxed and patted her back. “It's okay now. We're clear.”

Reluctantly, Lisette loosened her hold. “What was it? Or should I say
who
was it?”

“David, flying over in the shape of an owl.”

Reality slapped her in the face.

Zach, too, by the looks of him. Releasing her, he backed away a couple of steps.

“Is he looking for you?” she asked. “Does he know you were at his home?”

“No. But if he had seen your motorcycle . . .”

“He would have come down and investigated,” she finished for him.

“Yes. I thought it best to avoid a confrontation.”

A wise course of action.

Lisette surveyed their surroundings, not really seeing any of it. A multitude of questions and fears and complaints bombarded her.
What if
's and
why not
's and
how
's and
what will
's.

“Lisette?” Zach spoke softly.

She shook her head, not looking at him. “How is this going to work, Zach?”

A long pause ensued.

“I don't know,” he said at last, drawing her gaze. “I admit I'm still reeling from the discovery that you
wish
it to. Work, that is.”

The honesty and vulnerability his words expressed pierced her heart.

“Well, think on it, will you?” she implored.

“I fear I shall think of little else.”

Sighing, she found a smile. “Me too.”

He shook his head. “You're such a puzzle to me.”

“I don't know why. I'm just me.” Nothing special. Just one of the guys as far as most of the other immortals were concerned.

“Why would you risk everything to be with me?”

Lisette thought Zach a far greater puzzle. He was one of the most powerful beings on the planet, and yet he seemed heartbreakingly ignorant of his own worth. “I haven't felt like this in a very long time,” she responded, “haven't been this drawn to a man since I was mortal. Perhaps not even then.” Zach made her feel far more than her husband ever had.

She shook her head. “I can't just give that up without seeing where it can lead me. It's too rare. Too precious.”

Nodding, Zach took one of her hands and lifted it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

She squeezed his hand and smiled. “Since David has killed the mood”—he might as well have dumped several gallons of ice water on them when he had flown over—“I suppose I should begin tonight's hunt.”

He released her hand with obvious reluctance. “Shall I accompany you?” he asked as she donned her coat and helmet.

“If worry prompted that question, then my answer is I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

“Have you any of the auto-injectors that bear the sedative on you?”

She swore. “No. And I don't think we have any at the house.”

“Then I shall accompany you.”

She eyed him speculatively. “What would you be doing if you
didn't
accompany me?”

“Prowling around and seeing what the Others are up to.”

Fear rose. “Zach—”

He held up a hand. “They won't let me go easily, Lisette. I know they're still searching for me. They
must
be. I need to know where and how. For my own safety and for yours. I need to know if they've discovered my connection to you. If they know you helped me. What exactly they intend to do if they find me.”

“How can you do that without them capturing you again?” She had seen their brand of punishment and didn't want him to be subjected to it again because he worried they might come after her.

“When I'm at full strength, I can conceal my presence from them even when I'm in close proximity to them, the way I did with Seth and David earlier. They only know where I am if I
want
them to know.”

“And you're at full strength now?”

“Yes.”

“Not ninety percent or ninety-five percent,” she clarified. “But one hundred percent?”

“Yes.”

She could detect no uncertainty in his tone. “All right. Go then.”

“I'd rather you not hunt alone when you don't have the sedative.”

“It's just for one night. Watch.” Tugging out her cell phone, she dialed Tracy.

“Yeah?” Disturbed's “Droppin' Plates” blared in the background.

“Where are you?” Lisette asked.

“On the road, headed home.”

“Do we have any of the sedative at the house?”

Tracy swore. “No. I'll swing by the network on my way back to David's and pick some up.”

“Thanks.” Ending the call, Lisette arched a brow. “You see? All taken care of. It will be in my hands tomorrow night.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I'd rather you not hunt alone tonight without it.”