Authors: Rebecca Zanetti
Provoked (12 page)
“Yes.” Kane settled back in the seat, somehow keeping her close. “There’s some sort of shielding spell—very powerful. Once the shielding wears off, she’s like a beacon.”
The pilot, his hands working the stick, turned around. Silver eyes took her measure. “I’m Dage.”
“The king?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“Yes. Thank you for agreeing to help us.” His gaze returned to the snow outside.
So the king went on dangerous missions. Interesting. Or maybe he’d come since his brother was in trouble. Well, Amber understood family. “Ah, I heard you found my grandmother?”
“Yes.” Conn’s gaze raked over her. “The storm is still over Utah and Hilde’s being treated by Realm doctors at wolf headquarters. The doctors are watching the head injury closely, but she’s strong. And stubborn.”
“That’s an understatement,” Talen muttered. He flushed and then leaned back with an apologetic smile. “I, ah, video-conferenced with her about safety and protocol. She, ah, didn’t care to listen.”
Dage flashed a quick smile Amber barely caught.
Great. Her grandmother was causing havoc already. “Does she, ah, know . . .”
“Yes.” Conn leaned forward. “Your granny is well aware of demons, vampires, and Kurjans.”
“Then she has some explaining to do,” Amber murmured. How could her grandmother keep such information from her for so many years? If the demons were eventually coming calling, Amber should’ve been told. Head injury or not, Hilde was going to come clean.
Wind gushed against the helicopter, sending the machine spiraling to the side.
“Sorry,” Dage muttered.
Kane exhaled loudly. “All three of you out in this storm isn’t wise. You know that.”
“We’re family,” Conn said simply.
Kane shook out his wet hair. “I thought you were heading to Ireland.”
Conn nodded. “I leave in the morning to help my mate out with a small problem the witches are having.” He shrugged. “Nothing big—someone misusing magic. I’ll bring her home after that.”
Amber fought a yawn. “How does somebody misuse magic?”
Conn gave her a gentle smile that somehow made him almost seem approachable. “Witches use quantum physics to alter matter and make spells. If somebody misuses quantum physics . . .”
“They might blow up the world.” Even at the dangerous thought, Amber’s eyelids grew heavy.
“Exactly,” Conn said softly. “My mate is an enforcer for her people, so she deals with such threats. With me by her side, of course.”
With the large vampire in front of her, most likely. Amber nodded.
Kane smiled at his brothers. “Thanks for coming.”
“Sure.” Talen kept his gaze on Amber, making her heart beat faster.
A strong arm banded around her shoulder. Kane’s scent surrounded her. He leaned to whisper in her ear. “Take a rest, sunshine. We’ll continue training once we get safely home.”
Amber nodded, her brain all but shutting down, but not before catching an odd look that passed between Talen and Conn. What was that about?
Warmth from Kane’s body seeped into her skin, into her bones. After the fear of the day, after having her mind messed with several times, and after a night of amazing sex and no sleep, she went under just enough to relax.
Kane kept his voice soft. “She’s had no training and we need to step it up. While she’s promised to help, I don’t want her anywhere near danger. We’ll take turns training her, but nothing too intrusive. I mean it.”
“We’ll do what we have to do,” the king countered from the front of the craft.
“No. We’ll train her the right way,” Kane said calmly.
Amber giggled, half-asleep. “I thought he was the king.”
Kane started. “He is.”
“Then why are you the one barking orders?” she mumbled sleepily.
She wasn’t sure whether it was Conn or Talen who burst into laughter. Either way, it was a nice laugh to fall asleep to.
J
ase hadn’t been tortured for some time. In addition, fresh female blood had been provided for him every day. He’d even received new shorts. For whatever reason, the demons had altered their approach. So when his door finally rattled, he gazed up with more curiosity than dread. What were the bastards up to?
ase hadn’t been tortured for some time. In addition, fresh female blood had been provided for him every day. He’d even received new shorts. For whatever reason, the demons had altered their approach. So when his door finally rattled, he gazed up with more curiosity than dread. What were the bastards up to?
Two beefy guards dragged him through the same labyrinth of tunnels as last time but continued past the meeting room. Several hallways later he was shoved into a dimly lit room smelling of spiced oranges.
His eyes had become accustomed to dimly lit rooms. The door shut behind him, and he surveyed the plushest bedroom he’d ever seen. A red velvet duvet covered a bed large enough for several vampires. Pillows in sensual colors—ranging from purple to midnight—scattered across it. A dresser lay to the right, a fully stocked bar to the left.
A painting of a naked woman, strapped down for a man’s pleasure, adorned the entire wall above the bed. All four limbs were stretched tight, her body hair free and finely toned. On her face sat an expression of anticipation melded with fear. Definitely not one of Brenna Dunne’s works.
Willa stood near the bar in a long red negligee that revealed more than it covered. Black sparkles adorned the hem and rode up the slit for one leg.
Her hair was down and long, and midnight blue makeup enhanced her immortal eyes.
Against his will, his body sprang to life.
The lights were low and a dark melody hummed from the speakers. Nothing lighthearted or full of love . . . the song was haunting and sexy . . . almost as if claiming the inevitable.
He stepped into the room, his bare feet smashing the thick carpet. “Seduction won’t work on me, demon.”
Her dark gaze dropped to his groin, and she licked her lips. “Your body says otherwise.”
“My body has been without a woman almost four years.” He stalked into the room, heading for the bar. If she wanted to play games, he’d join in. “And you don’t count.”
She nearly purred, running her finger around the rim of a crystal goblet. “Have you ever made it with a demon, Jase?”
“No. I’ve never made it with a snake, either.”
She pouted her full lips, anger swirling in her eyes. “You don’t have to be so mean to me. It’s not like I have much of a choice in this life, either.”
Maybe not. Five years ago he’d have felt sorry for her . . . probably would’ve come up with a way to rescue her. These days he couldn’t even rescue himself. Sympathy for a demon was no longer an option. “Fucking me isn’t a choice that’s open to you, either.”
“How about you fuck me?” She gestured toward the painting depicting the BDSM scene. “I have more toys under the bed than you can imagine.”
Damn if his cock didn’t swell more. “No.”
A slight probing filtered along his brain and slid down his spine. He mentally shoved back.
She faltered, her eyes narrowing. “You have some serious power.”
Not as much as a demon. Well, not as much mind power as a demon, but enough to combat a seduction of his brain. Some time ago he’d been able to harness the elements. Gathering his strength, he shot liquid into oxygen.
Nothing happened.
Surprising that sorrow could fill him after so long of a time. He reached for a decanter of scotch, pouring a shot and gulping the harsh liquid down, knowing the entire time it was a bad idea. No way was his system prepared for booze.
Turning, he flashed his fangs at the demon. “Stop the attempts at seduction. You help me get out of this hellhole, and I’ll keep you safe for life.” Even if he couldn’t, Dage would. Chances were, even if Jase found freedom, he wouldn’t last long. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to last long. Going back to his old life wasn’t possible. The Jase Kayrs they’d all known had been as good as dead for years.
He faced the demon, forcing all expression off his face. “Your people can’t break me. You know that, they know that, and this is just a new tactic.” No, they hadn’t broken him. Broken things could be rebuilt—they could eventually be fixed.
He was beyond that.
“I don’t want you broken.” Her tongue darted out to lick liquid off the glass. “I want you to save me. To save us both.”
If he did, he’d finally win. “I’ve given you my best offer.”
“No.” Her dark eyes flashed and she gestured toward the bed. “Your best offer happens there, for all time.” Pleading and a dark vulnerability turned her eyes the softest of purple. “I’ve read your file and everything we’ve ever compiled about you. You don’t have a woman waiting for your return, and you’re not promised to anyone as a mate.”
A mate? Shit. He wasn’t complete enough to go solo much less give half of himself to someone else. “There will be no mate.”
“So take me.” Tipping back her long hair, she swallowed deeply. “We both get saved, and you can go on your own way afterward.”
For almost two seconds he considered her offer. Why not? No way would he ever mate. The woman was sexy and in trouble. Somewhere deep down, in a place the demons hadn’t touched, maybe a trifle of nobility remained. He could save her before checking out.
Reality smacked him in the head.
With mating came responsibility, and he couldn’t handle it. Not even with someone he didn’t give a shit about. “No. I won’t mate a demon.”
“If you don’t, I’ll destroy you.” Her voice lowered, those eyes glowing with a new light. Insanity? Desperation?
He couldn’t read people any longer. The bitch was probably nuts. “Good luck with that.”
Instant pain flowed through the center of his brain. As if the sides completely divided, neurons flared like heated knives to rip through gray matter. Darkness cut across his vision.
Gravity claimed him, and he hit the floor with an impact that had his jaw snapping shut.
Unconsciousness came as an explosion behind his eyes. Finally.
Amber waited next to the elevator, her mind swirling. Kane had all but deserted her, leaving her with his pretty niece, Janie. With her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, the twenty-year-old looked like she should be playing volleyball on a Mexico beach during spring break—and not someone who was supposed to save the world.
Until you looked at her eyes.
Dark blue, serious, full of intelligence, those eyes spoke of a truly old soul.
Amber forced a smile. “I can’t believe there are real vampires.”
Janie shrugged. “Sure, you can. You just don’t want to believe it’s so easy to believe there are vampires.” Her grin was all imp.
Amber couldn’t help but smile back. “That’s quite a statement.”
“Yeah, I’m known for that.” Janie jammed a finger against the DOWN button again.
Amber glanced around the alcove set into an Oregon cliff. Janie had led her around a big lodge and back alcove to a hole cut into the rocks. “So you have an entire headquarters underground.” How weird to be going into the earth. Grandma Hilde wouldn’t like living underground. Amber’s heart began to beat quicker. Was her grandmother all right?
“Underground is safe. Sometimes if you listen really closely, the earth will whisper her secrets to you.” Janie ran her hand along the rock wall. Then she turned and grinned at a stoic vampire standing guard next to the elevator.
At least, Amber assumed the guy was a vampire. At six and a half feet tall, his light brown eyes were reminiscent of a predator peeking around a tree just before striking.
Janie started. “I’ve completely forgotten my manners. Amber, this is Max. He’s my bodyguard and one of our top hunters.”
Max looked like a killer. “Ma’am,” he said, a smile softening his broad face.
Amber nodded, fighting the very real urge to step closer to Janie.
Max turned his attention to Janie. “My Sarah tells me you aced the MCAT’s last week.”
Amber paused, turning toward the young woman. She’d heard of the difficult test students had to pass in order to be considered for certain medical schools. “You’re going to medical school?”
Janie snorted. “No. I just took the MCAT’s for fun. Sarah’s my teacher and Max’s mate.”
Obvious pride filled the vampire’s deadly eyes. “Sarah’s a sweet one, she is—smart as anything, too.”
The obvious affection the soldier had for the mysterious Sarah made him almost approachable. But the gun at his hip and the hard set of his face would frighten anybody. The elevator door opened, and Amber sighed in relief while jumping inside.
The door shut, and Janie pressed a button somewhere in the middle of a bunch of round, unlabeled buttons.
Amber frowned. “Why aren’t there labels?”
Janie grinned. “On the very distant chance that an enemy found our elevator, we wouldn’t want them to find their way, now, would we?”
“No,” Amber said weakly. Of course, she couldn’t find her way now, either. On the very real chance she needed to get free of the vampires, she wouldn’t know which buttons to push. “Are you sure my grandmother is all right?”
Janie’s face lit up. “Better than all right. She’s awesome. Man, you should’ve seen her ignore my dad when he called and lectured her about safety protocols. I sat in on the call. It was hilarious.”
“Now, ah, your dad is Talen, right?”
“Yep.”
The scary soldier wasn’t somebody who should be ignored. “Oh my.”
“Yep, and he’s been really cranky lately since my mom and brother went back East to assist the feline nation with some inoculations.” The door opened and Janie led the way into a spacious gathering room sporting a pool, several dartboards, and a big-screen television. “But don’t worry. Hilde had my dad eating out of her hand within seconds. Charmed the heck out of him.”
Now that would be something to see. “Um, will Kane be along at some point?” He was the only person Amber knew.
Janie shrugged. “He’s always in the lab—unless he’s hunting werewolves.”
Amber started. “Kane hunts werewolves.”
“Sure. And by himself sometimes, which really makes Uncle Dage mad. But Kane says he needs the solitude once in a while.”
The man sought solitude by chasing werewolves. Amber swallowed loudly. “Um, why doesn’t the king stop him?”
Janie grinned. “Stop Kane? You’re kidding, right?”
Good point.
The door opened and a stunning woman with long black hair swept into the room. She wore a white smock over what appeared to be tattered jeans and a R
OLL
T
IDE
, B
ABY
T-shirt. She flashed a smile. “Hi. You must be Amber. Do you mind if I take blood?”
OLL
T
IDE
, B
ABY
T-shirt. She flashed a smile. “Hi. You must be Amber. Do you mind if I take blood?”
Amber stepped back.
Janie laughed. “Amber, meet my Aunt Emma and the queen of the Realm. She’s married to my Uncle Dage.”
While beautiful, the woman couldn’t look less like a queen. Amber forced a smile. “Um, you want blood?” Okay, she hadn’t gotten the full scoop on vampires yet, but hadn’t Kane said they only took blood during battle or sex?
“Yes. I have a lab just down the corridor,” Emma said.
Janie shook her head. “Okay. We were going to play a game of pool and get acquainted. Manners, Auntie Emma. Manners.”
Emma lifted her chin, thoughts scattering across her face. She lifted a pale hand to smooth tendrils of the dark hair out of her deep blue eyes. “Oh. Um, yeah. Sorry. It’s nice to meet you, Amber. Do you have any questions about the Realm?”
She had so many questions she wasn’t sure where to start. “Ah, well, why do you need blood?”
Emma glanced at a fine gold watch on her thin wrist. “Well, rumor has it you’re a demon destroyer, the first we’ve found, and I’d like to check your blood. Also, since you slept with Kane last night, I’d like to see if there’s been any change in your physiology.”
Amber tried to swallow and ended up in a coughing fit.
Janie clapped her on the back. “Really, Emma. Manners.”
Emma groaned. “I apologize, but I don’t have time for manners. We need to find Jase. And, um, Kane didn’t tell me, so don’t worry about that. Dage smelled him on you, or you on him, either way, Dage let the secret loose.”
“He smelled me?” So vampires were advanced in more than strength and speed.
“Sure.” Emma tapped a calfskin-smooth boot on the floor.
Amber frowned.
Following her gaze, Emma gestured with both hands. “The boots are fake. No worries. No animals were harmed in the making of these very gorgeous, often used to kick Kane, boots.” Tucking her arm through Amber’s, she started for the door. “Dage said you lived in some sort of commune . . . eco-village. Very cool.”
Amber stumbled toward the door. “Are you sure you’re the queen?”
“That’s what they tell me.” Emma quickened her pace. “About sleeping with Kane, don’t worry that he changed you. Chances are since the brand didn’t appear on his hand, and he didn’t try to mate you, you probably won’t be changed in any way.”
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