Slayer's Kiss: Shadow Slayer, Book 1 (17 page)

Kara nodded, mulling it over. “That’s kind of sad. It’s like two classes of citizens.”

Gavin frowned. “Not at all. I hope to have my own son one day. He won’t live forever, but four or five hundred years would still be worth it.”

“Four or five hundred years?”
Her mouth gaped. “Yeah, I’d say that was worth it. How long do the highborns live?”

He gently pinched the curve of her shoulder. “Until their heads are no longer attached to their necks.”

Of all the things she’d learned, this was the toughest for her to comprehend. Even witches topped out at a hundred years or so. What would living forever be like? Would she even want to? Hell, why was she even worrying about it when her own mother hadn’t even made it to retirement age?

“Are you all right?” Gavin asked.

“Hey, we were talking about you, remember?” Anything but talking about how she felt at the moment. “So…no children, no mom and dad…”

Gavin looked into the distance, his gaze traveling over the mountaintops toward some unseen destination. “No. No mother or father, but…” He squeezed Kara’s hand tighter and glanced over at her. “I have a brother.”

“Really? Are you close? Did you grow up together?”

He helped Kara over some stones in their path and kicked aside the low-lying branches brushing her ankles. “I like to think we would have been close if we’d stayed together, but it wasn’t possible. He’s here now though, and that’s all that matters. I’ve been given my brother back and a second chance. He’s the only family I will ever have and I mean to make the best of it.”

She heard the passion in his voice and realized she wasn’t the only one who’d missed out on an average childhood. Maybe they all had. “That’s great. I’m happy for you, Gavin. Abbey is the closest thing to a sister I have.”

“You were never adopted?”

Kara cleared her throat. Gavin didn’t know her well enough to know she didn’t discuss her childhood. Ever. “No. Almost, once, but she died. I don’t have family and from what I’ve seen out there, I’m probably not missing much.”

Gavin glanced over at her with a quirked brow. “You have us now. Whether or not that’s a good thing is something you’ll have to decide for yourself.”

Chapter Twelve

An hour into the hike, Kara knew they were being followed. It wasn’t like being on the streets of San Diego where she could sense only evil. Here, she could feel the presence of Demiáre and vague impressions of intent, good and bad. “Gavin, I hate to tell you this, but I think somebody’s watching us.”

Gavin placed his hand on Kara’s lower back to guide her over a small stream, leading her around the slippery, moss-covered rocks to find surer footing. “I certainly hope so, or somebody’s ass is going to get handed to them when we get to town.”

Despite Gavin’s best efforts, Kara slipped on the last stepping stone and buried her shoe in the cold, clear water. “Crap! If you were going to fly us here, couldn’t you have landed us closer to civilization?” She stopped and stripped off her soggy, brown leather flat. She wasn’t a klutz. The damn thing didn’t have enough traction.

“I could have, but I wanted to spend time alone with you.”

Kara’s heart pounded as she drained the water out of her shoe and placed it back on her foot. “Why?”

He grasped her hand and pulled her down yet another vegetation-choked path. “To answer your questions. To prepare you for meeting your people.”

“Oh.” The disappointment in her voice was unmistakable. But what did she really expect? That he would take her up against a tree and show her what she’d been missing? He was so beautiful. Every inch of his six-and-a-half-foot frame was hard-muscled perfection and she’d never been beauty-queen material.

They walked into a clearing with tall grass and a small pond. Gavin stopped and took Kara’s hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. “The women here aren’t what you’re used to, princess. I hope when you see them, you’ll understand my choices. I hope you’ll understand I’m doing what’s best for you and our clan.”

Kara felt Julian’s presence only seconds before he descended into the meadow, black hair blowing about his face and silver wings extended. He landed beside them and smiled at Gavin. “Yes, you’re all about
clan
, aren’t you? Is that why you took Kara through the jungle instead of bringing her directly to me?”

Gavin’s corresponding smile was just lips stretched over teeth. “Here she is.” He bowed in a courtly gesture and stepped away. “Let’s go.”

When Gavin turned on his heel and started making his way to the other side of the clearing, Julian glared daggers into his back. Even indignant, her lover was gorgeous, with brilliant, black-diamond eyes and virile strength. Seeing him again, Kara couldn’t believe she’d had a man like him an hour before. If she wasn’t still in shock about the whole life-changing fallen-angel revelation, she would have enjoyed running her fingers along the smooth planes of his wings and inspecting the grooves where they disappeared into his back.

“Stay close to me, love.” He linked her arm through his and pulled her in the direction Gavin had gone.

Kara was a woman who could take care of herself and would have yanked her arm back on principle alone, but she was nothing if not pragmatic. When it came to traipsing through the jungle on what appeared to be an island of supernatural creatures, she didn’t mind a tour guide. Besides, if they got lost, she’d have a buddy to keep her warm at night. “What took you so long?”

“Why, did you miss me?”

She couldn’t get enough of his scent or his smile. Her heart got warm and fluttery just being near him, and it wasn’t a sensation she was used to. “Just wondering what happened.”

His jaw flexed. “Gavin was cloaking your energy and his. It’s a lovely little trait that runs in his family and can make him a true pain in the ass. I had to search for you by sight.”

Kara bit her lip. “Oh. I guess he wanted to be extra safe.”

Julian snorted. “Yes, I’m sure that was it.”

“How much farther?”

He ducked his head to place a quick kiss on her cheek. “We’re already there.”

They pushed through the vine-covered tree limbs Gavin had disappeared into and stepped out into a valley. Small houses dotted the green pastures and seemed to be arranged around a central square where a large bonfire burned. Larger, more extravagant homes were nestled into the surrounding mountains. Men bustled about everywhere, cooking meat over open pits, filling pitchers with amber liquid, carrying heavy platters of fruit to long, rustic banquet tables.

The men who weren’t involved in cooking were scattered around, talking and laughing in small groups, and farther in the distance, other men practiced their skills, launching arrows into targets, grappling hand-to-hand and exchanging strikes with their swords.

Kara’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t find the words. If you added kilts, these men would look like they belonged in the hills of Scotland hundreds of years ago, not on a tropical island in the present day. Many had cords around their necks with pendants, like Julian and Gavin, but with the balmy weather on the island, there wasn’t a shirt among them.

Gavin took up his spot on the other side of Kara just as dozens of armed men came through the trees behind them as if they’d been escorting the trio all along.

“There wasn’t time,” said the one in the lead, a tall sable-haired man with a thick beard obscuring his features. He was clad in nothing but brown leather pants and had a bow in his hand with a full quiver strapped to his back.

“Sorry, my lords.” He looked to Gavin and Julian apologetically. “Lord Aiden said it might be weeks before the lady came.” Then his eyes met Kara’s and he smiled so wide, not even his furry beard could hide it. “Hello, lady.”

“Hi,” she replied, unconsciously pressing herself closer to Julian’s side. The men looked completely awestruck. She didn’t think warriors were supposed to lose their cool like that.

Gavin motioned toward the man. “Kara, this is Liel. He’s captain of the guard.”

Liel stepped forward and glanced at Kara’s fingers as if he was waiting for her to offer them. She reluctantly allowed him to bow and kiss the top of her hand, but she felt ridiculous when he held on, hovering over her like a bee pollinating a flower. She had to admit though, scruffy and all, he still smelled pretty damned good. They all did.

“By Brakken’s bow, she’s a fine-looking woman.” As if suddenly realizing what he’d said, a mortified expression flitted across Liel’s face. He dropped her hand. “I belong to Riana.”

Kara smiled and nodded. “Good for you.”

“I don’t,” a black-haired man said, stepping shoulder to shoulder with Liel. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

“Nor I,” said a brawny warrior with a long coffee-colored braid down his back. This one wore a leather vest and had small throwing knives strapped to a wide belt at his hips. “I’m at your service, my lady.”

Their enthusiastic comments broke the dam and suddenly all the warriors on patrol were spewing words, talking over each other, eager to tell Kara just how available they were. She felt Julian stiffen at her side and heard the low growl rattling his ribs.

“Enough,” Gavin barked out first. “Kara Reed is our guest, getting to know our clan for the first time. You’re not helping her to feel at ease in our midst.”

“No disrespect intended, my lord,” the braided man said, his face shadowed with brown stubble, “but she smells like she’s gotten to know one of you
very
well. It’s only right that if she’s started looking for bondmates, we be allowed to present ourselves.” He stepped forward with a lusty smile and calculating eyes and dropped to one knee. “Kara Reed, my name is Rik. I was one of the men assigned to watch you and your city. I feel as though we’ve already met, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day I could offer myself to you.”

He’d been watching her?
Kara felt Julian’s claws extending from his fingertips as he started to pull away from her to confront the other man.

Gavin turned swiftly and put a quelling hand on Julian’s chest. “No, Julian, it’s the law. He’s done nothing wrong in letting Kara know he desires her.”

Kara could only see Julian’s broad back and shiny black hair, but she heard the lethal intent in his words. “Hear this:
I am the law
. Under penalty of death, no one will touch this woman while she is in our care. Is that understood?”

The men stepped back and looked at one another, seemingly baffled Julian had made the edict, but the other warrior’s smile was dangerous as he rose to his feet. “Yes, my lord,” he said slowly, bowing low.

“Come,” Liel said to his men. “The lords have this lady safely to camp. Let’s get on with our duties.” The men turned and disappeared into the dense growth, but not before Rik cast Kara a final, scorching glance.

She waited for the sounds of the guards’ footfalls to fade. “I’m assuming you both knew he was watching me.”

Gavin sighed. “We have scouts around the city just to be sure nothing comes your way that you can’t handle.”

“For how long?”

“Pardon?” Gavin asked.

Her hands flew to her hips. “How long have you all been watching me?”

Gavin looked to the horizon then back at Kara. “Not long, princess. If we’d known where you were, we would have come for you sooner. I can have Rik moved to another post if you’d prefer.”

“Kara—” Julian began, his features drawn in concern.

She stopped him with a flick of her hand. “No, it’s fine, Julian. If what I’ve learned so far hasn’t sent me packing, a few more admirers aren’t going to keep me from finding out the truth. But if I see that guy flying outside my window or going through my underwear drawer,
Gavin
,” she said pointedly, “I’m going to make pigeon soup out of him.”

Julian chuckled, the bright sun catching the dimple on his cheek as his claws retracted.

“What?” Kara asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “I’m just glad you didn’t take him up on his offer. Rumor has it he doesn’t bathe. And he
hates
cats. And little old ladies.”

Gavin laughed. “Most of the men here kick puppies for sport. You’d better stick close to us.”

When Kara and her two escorts turned back toward the village, to her horror, all the bustling activity was at a standstill and people were beginning to make their way over. She’d escaped the jungle only to be caught in a receiving line extending back to the square. The men lined up eagerly for the chance to fawn over her hand and make subtle comments as to their willingness to be her playthings.

What the hell kind of island was this?

After she’d been introduced to the entire group, Gavin instructed them to continue with dinner preparations. “I’ve never seen them make such a fuss in all my long life,” Gavin grumbled, looking to Julian. “We should have sent word ahead so the men could have tried not to make such asses out of themselves.”

Julian smiled. “It wouldn’t have helped. I’ll be the first to admit she’s irresistible.”

Kara hated to change the subject, but if it was possible, she was on flattery overload. “That didn’t look like several hundred men. More like a hundred, I’d say. And where are the women you keep telling me about?”

Gavin turned toward her. “The rest of the men live in the outlying villages with human camp companions. Those tend to be the men who’ve given up vying for one of our females’ attention and satisfy their urges elsewhere. Demiáre females don’t like to have human women around, so it’s better for everyone if we give the men who are rarely chosen jobs outside the square.”

“Oh.” Kara’s eyes were wide, soaking it all in. “That’s…interesting.”

Julian put a protective hand on her shoulder. “And five of our females have opted to live in different cities on the mainland. Between them, they have about a hundred men, but we send replacements when needed to make sure they’re well protected.”

“And Olivia’s here on the island?”

Julian cocked his head and gave Kara an odd look. “So Gavin’s been busy filling you in. He told you she’s expecting a child?”

She nodded. “Congratulations. I mean, I know it’s not yours, but it seems like it’s pretty exciting for you all.”

Julian’s nostrils flared. “Thank you. We are excited. Did he tell you much about Demiáre breeding, then? How it works?”