Undying Hunger (6 page)

“God…why did he have to ever let that bastard out?” Elle mumbled. “Go back upstairs for a little while and lie down.”

Alex clenched her fist, holding on for patience. “You don’t have to mother me,” she bit out as quietly as possible. “I said I’m fine.”

“What’s wrong with Alexandria?” Markus’s deep voice sliced through the other conversations in the room, sending a spark of electricity down her spine. Alex jerked.

Elle whipped around. “That’s none of your business,” she replied, her tone razor sharp. “And I would highly suggest the more distance you keep between my sister and yourself, the better for your health.”

“Elle,” Alex hissed and attempted to tug her back. This was only going to make the situation worse. The room was already so thick and heavy with tension, all it needed was one strike of a match for it to blow.

“Alexandria…” Despite Elle’s warning, Markus strode forward.

And the fuse sparked.

“You’re either deaf or a dumbass.” Arran charged the offending male, reared his arm back, and swung, connecting with Markus’s face in a loud
crack
of bone against bone.

“Holy crap!” Alex gasped and jumped out of the way.

Guerin surged toward the fight, but Alex wasn’t sure if he meant to break them apart or get his own piece of Markus. Either way, the moment he came within striking distance, the prodigal vampire rotated onto one leg, then struck with the heel of one boot straight into Guerin’s midsection.

Alex grimaced as air burst from the male’s lungs on a
humpf
. He stumbled back, clutching his gut. Damn, that had to hurt.

“You son of a bitch,” Arran shouted, then swung once more. This time, the blow landed near Markus’s diaphragm. Markus doubled over from the impact. A second later, wheezing, Markus straightened and eyed the snarling vampires.

“Is that all you got?” With the back of his hand, Markus wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth. Growls rumbled off the warriors. “Come on then.” He lifted his chin, beckoning them. “You know you’ve been waiting for this day. Don’t hold back.” Markus opened his arms, his fingers splayed.

What was he doing? Then it dawned on her. Where was Kenric? Why hadn’t he put a stop to this? Alex did a quick search of the room and found the commander standing with his arms crossed, intently watching the events unfold. Emily stood near her mate, one hand covering her mouth. Her expression matched exactly what Alex was primed and ready to do: she was a half second from jumping between the males and putting a stop to the madness.

“Don’t play that shit,” Arran bit out.

Guerin fisted the front of Markus’s shirt. “Since when the hell have you ever been a martyr? Fight, you asshole. Where are your damn balls?”

“But isn’t this what you both wanted, a pound of my flesh?” Markus looked between the two males. “I thought I’d give you your opportunity. Let you get it out your system. Because after today”—his upper lip curled off his fangs—“you won’t get another chance.”

“Fuck you,” Guerin spat, and shoved the other vampire. Markus stumbled but quickly regained his footing.

Arran turned around, flexing his fingers open and closed, his brows drawn, lips in a taut line. Elle crossed the room to her mate’s side.

“Okay,” Kenric finally spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. “Now that we’ve appeased our beasts, maybe we can at least try to tolerate one another’s presence. Because like it or not”—Kenric scanned the room, connecting his gaze for a moment with each person—“this
is
the Enclave. The men and women in this room are all we’ve got, and dammit, we have one another’s back.”

Chapter Six

“What do you mean Seth Keller is dead?” Enrique hissed, and pitched the glass tumbler in his hand at the wall of his apartment. It shattered against the brick, spraying jagged shards onto the wood floor.

With a firm grip on the cell phone at his ear, Enrique jerked the straight-backed chair out from his desk with his free hand and plopped onto the seat. “This can’t be true,” he continued. “How do you know this?”

“From what I hear¸” his contact on the other end of the receiver said, “Seth, his lover, plus several of his colony were slaughtered several months ago…maybe even a year now.”

What the fuck?
Seth had been obsessed with tracking the alleged born-vampire, one who was rumored to walk in daylight. Seth was his best prospect for the kind of wealth and connections he needed in order to get his hands on this female. Many thought the German master had been crazy—that he was on some kind of bigfoot hunt, searching for something that didn’t exist.

Luckily for Enrique, having been in Marguerite’s service for many years before her untimely demise, he’d once or twice, when she hadn’t thought he’d been within earshot, overheard her boasting about a very special child she herself had carried. But because Enrique had valued his continued existence, he’d never asked Marguerite any questions on the subject. Besides, she’d been a master of deception, and the idea of a vampire female conceiving was implausible.

Thusly, he’d never dug around for any further details. The risk would have been too high if any word traveled back that he’d been snooping into his Mistress’s business. If Markus had learned of any indiscretion on Enrique’s part, he wouldn’t have blinked at the opportunity to toss Enrique’s ass at Marguerite’s feet for sacrifice.

Not that Enrique wouldn’t have done the same.

With Markus, though, he would have taken a different route. He’d have used the info, as he had with the male’s feelings for Alexandria, to further blackmail the gorgeous vampire for yet another fuck. He sighed. Like all good things, he and Markus had eventually come to an end.

“A master traveling with another vampire from the States,” his contact replied, snagging his attention and yanking him back to the present.

“Repeat that,” Enrique demanded. “Who did you say killed Seth?”

“I said I had heard that a new master, along with another vampire, had entered the area unannounced. Word is…” The informant paused for effect. “He, his partner, along with a couple of others, raided Seth’s home, eliminating him, in order to rescue someone the crazy bastard had been holding.”

“Is that so…” Enrique stood, his mind racing.
Kenric St. James and one of his Enclave
. It had to be.

“That’s the rumor. Whether it’s true or not, I have no way to verify. But I haven’t seen Seth in a very long time. Neither has anyone else I know.”

“Thank you for the information, Stefan. You’ve been very helpful.” Enrique tapped end call on his cell and dropped it to the table.

“My bet is”—Enrique stroked his chin, eyeing his lover who rested on his side, watching him from the bed—“Markus ran his mouth to Kenric about the possibility of a long-lost daughter, and they jumped on a plane to Europe.” Enrique unbuckled his belt, pulled it free, then shed his pants before climbing onto the bed with the redheaded man. He stroked the Calyx’s cheek and grinned. “I wonder if Seth finally got his clutches on his precious born vamp, and the Enclave came to her rescue?”

“Sounds logical,” the human replied.

“I wonder if she knows her daddy’s Enclave is responsible for her mother’s demise?” The excitement of the topic, in addition to the naked man in his bed, had his cock pulsating and rock hard. He nudged his lover’s thigh with his shaft.

“She’d have to know, since she’s living with them,” the other man said and smiled, returning the thrust.

“True. Very true, Christian.” Enrique lowered his hand and traced the dark pink circle around the human’s nipple.

Christian’s eyelids lowered. “Still, I don’t understand why she would’ve stayed after what they did.”

“I do,” Enrique said, thinking back to how protective Guerin had been of the female. “Kenric’s second-in-command, Guerin.” He lifted his brows at the other male.

“Ah.” Christian smirked. “She’s found someone in the Enclave whose bed she doesn’t want to leave.” He trailed his fingertips lightly down Enrique’s arm. “I can…understand the appeal.” He glanced up, meeting Enrique’s gaze, his green eyes bright with mischief.

“Exactly,” Enrique said. “The good thing is, she’s not going anywhere. Bad thing, she’s in the heart of the Enclave, which makes the act of extracting her nearly impossible.”

Christian grinned. “You said ‘nearly.’”

Enrique lifted the corners of his mouth, exposing his fangs. “That’s where you come in.”

Chapter Seven

“It’s been a week now.” Eve circled behind Alex. “How is it to have your sire freely roaming the house?”

Alex spun, sensing Eve’s strike, and blocked the female’s incoming arm aimed at her throat. “You give him too much credit,” Alex retorted, swiping her brow with her forearm. Training with Eve three times a week in the Enclave’s gym was tough, but so far it hadn’t been nearly enough. No one needed to tell her that her sparring skills weren’t even close to being considered eligible as an active member of the Enclave. The bruises, sore ribs, and joints relayed that message loud and clear.

“What do you mean?” Eve matched Alex move for move, making sure to keep herself at Alex’s back.

Tightening her fists, Alex mentally checked her fighting stance.
Concentrate.
She couldn’t allow Eve to gain the upper hand. Her attempt to distract her with conversation about Markus wasn’t going to work. Yet despite her best efforts, images flashed across her mind’s eye of when she’d first seen him after his release. The way his muscles had glistened and bunched while he’d pulled up on the bar in his room. The way the swirls of red and black along his arms appeared to be alive, moving with each flex and release of his biceps. Her pulse notched a little higher.

Stop it!
she chided herself.

Alex tossed her head, attempting to shake the memory from her mind as well as a few stray tendrils of hair from her eyes. “‘Sire’ is too kind of a word. You mean what’s it been like to have the male responsible for attacking me and then holding me prisoner walking around free?”

“Yeah. That.” Eve suddenly appeared in front of her.

Faster than Alex could visually follow, Eve leaped, gaining some air time, twisted, and landed a blow with her heel to Alex’s gut.

Oxygen punched from Alex’s lungs, the force of the impact knocking her back a couple of feet. Spots swirled in front of her eyes.
Damn.
With a tight hold on her midsection, Alex focused on the bright blue mat covering the floor.
Breathe.
She blinked, trying to chase away the stars.
In and out.

“Are you okay?” Eve’s Nikes appeared in her line of sight. But Alex couldn’t quite get her vocal cords to respond yet. “Alex?” Eve dropped to a crouch and glanced up at her. Alex closed her eyes and nodded. Yeah. She would live. Her pride? Not so much.

“You need to learn to expect the unexpected, Alexandria,” a deep male voice from the doorway said.

Oh dear God. Not now.

She didn’t need to raise her head to identify who stood there. The way the sound lifted the hairs on her arms and made her heart sputter told her who had been watching.

Eve stood. “She doesn’t need your input, Markus.”

Alex straightened, the ability to draw a deep breath resuming.

“After the blow Alexandria just received”—Markus approached, raking his gaze from head to toe over Alex—“I’d let her be the judge of that.”

Her stomach flipped as if she’d topped the first hill on a roller coaster and was about to go on the ride of her life. Alex crossed her arms over her chest.

“You arrogant son of a…” Eve shook her head, clamped her mouth shut, and moved in closer to the male. “We’re doing just fine without your interference,” she added.

“Yes. We are,” Alex chimed in.

“Then you won’t mind if I observe your technique?” Markus backed off the mat. “It has been a while since I’ve been out in the field. I could be rusty.” He shrugged.

Eve glanced her way, the fire in her eyes mirroring what Alex knew her own had to resemble. “I think I’ve had enough for one day,” Alex muttered.

“Are you sure?” Eve eased toward her. “Don’t let him get to you and ruin your progress. You’re doing fine. If you want to keep going, I’m here for you.”

“I appreciate it,” Alex said. “You’re a good friend. But let’s continue this tomorrow, if that’s okay?” Alex rotated her shoulder, loosening the muscle.

“Sure. We can call it.” Eve strode over to one of the chairs in the corner of the room and Alex followed. The heat from what had to be Markus’s gaze warmed her spine. Eve grabbed her towel, and Alex did the same. “Same time tomorrow night?”

“Sounds good.” Alex painted on a smile as Eve started to leave, then halted when she realized Alex hadn’t moved.

“You’re not coming with me?”

“
Uhm
…” Alex couldn’t help but glance across the gym at the tall male with his dark hair loose around his shoulders. Instead of sweats, this time he wore a pair of dark jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt stretched taut over his arms, his bold tattoos in brilliant contrast against the cotton. His presence somehow filled the expanse of the open space and set her on her edge. “Markus and I need to talk.”

They definitely had to set some boundaries.

“You’re sure?” Eve followed Alex’s gaze, concern wrinkling her forehead. “This vampire has unresolved issues. He may be saying he’s let bygones be bygones, but believe me, honey, after all I’ve heard, let’s just say I’m not convinced yet.”

“I’m not sold either,” Alex said. “As they say, actions speak louder than words.”

“You got that right.” Eve wiped her neck with the towel and headed out. “I don’t think he’d be stupid enough to try anything with you in this house. I just don’t trust that he’s not up to something.”

“I know. But I’ll be fine,” Alex said.

“Okay.” Eve nodded. “Catch up with me later,” she said over her shoulder and disappeared through the door.

From the other side of the gym, Markus followed Eve’s exit with his gaze, then turned his attention to her. “You’re not running out on me, too?”

Alex dropped her towel back on the chair and strode toward the male. “Do I have a reason to run?”

“Not from me.” Markus met her halfway, his arms relaxed at his sides.

“Good to know,” she said. “But when it comes to me and this house, you need to keep your distance.”

“A guy can’t even get in a workout?”

“Dressed like this?” Alex pointed at the boots and jeans. “Pleeaasse. You didn’t stop in here for exercise.”

He glanced down at his clothes, then up at her from under a thick set of lashes, and the stormy gaze she’d remembered as a dark void shone with mirth.

“Guilty.” He smiled, and this time the effect went straight to her knees. Alex quickly compensated and repositioned her stance.

Get a grip, girl.

“I was passing by and saw you two sparring,” he said. “I couldn’t resist coming in to watch.”

“You need to work on your impulse control,” she quipped.

He smirked. “I was serious earlier, though. You need to work on detecting the subtle clues of your opponent’s next move. Expect the unexpected.”

“Tell me something I don’t know. My ribs would appreciate me becoming a better student. Sooner rather than later.” She massaged her side.

“We could help each other, you know.”

She froze for a moment, her palm against her side. “Pardon me if I don’t jump at your offer.” Alex hit him with a droll stare. “You don’t have the best reputation for coming through on your end of a deal.”

“This is different.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time for this. My only reason for talking to you—”

“Let me help you with this,” he said, cutting her off.

“You’re relentless!”

“It’s important you learn how to properly defend yourself.” He closed the distance between them.

“On that, we agree.” She glared up at the male in front of her. “If I’d been better at protecting myself, maybe neither one of us would be in this situation.”

For a split second, an odd expression washed over his face, but it was gone so quickly she couldn’t put her finger on the emotion. Had it been regret? Fear? Probably neither one. More than likely it had been her imagination, because in its place, the cool facade Alex was so familiar with stared back at her.

“That’s something we’ll never know,” he said, his tone low and gravelly. “But we can do something about today.” He strode off the mat, and in a matter of seconds, Markus had his boots off and shoved against the wall. “Now.” He wheeled around, yanking his shirt over his head and tossing it to the floor.

Dear God…
She swallowed hard, willing her body to not react to his. He rolled his shoulders, and it was as if the tats covering his arms and pecs had a life of their own. Hypnotic, if she were to stare for too long. She forced her gaze up.

Determination gleamed in his expression. “Let’s get started,” he said, resuming his place in front of her.

“You can’t
truly
be serious,” she said, shaking her head. Markus had lost his damn mind if he thought she was going to fight him.

“Why would you think I’m kidding?”

“Because…” She couldn’t spar with him! Her mind whirled, searching for a proper excuse for her brain’s rejection of the idea. She just…
couldn’t
. Way too much contact.

“Because…” he repeated, and held out his hand as if waiting for her to plop the words from inside her mind into his palm.

“You’re a man!” The words tumbled from her lips. But not just any man. He was
Markus
. The male her head said she should hate. Yet her body responded to him as if he were Vin Diesel mixed with the swagger of Alexander Skarsgard and sprinkled with the deliciousness of Enrique Iglesias. And damn if she subconsciously wanted a bite of all that yummy goodness.

But that was the problem. She didn’t dare sample any of what he had to offer, unless she wanted to dance with the devil himself.

“I’m a man.” Markus nodded, his lips drawn taut. “Last time I checked I was, indeed, still male.”

“Then you know why this isn’t a good idea.” Having made her point, Alex marched off toward her gym bag.

“That’s exactly why this is the perfect idea.”

“You need a reality check, bucko,” Alex shouted over her shoulder. “You and I aren’t doing this.”

“Bucko?” His feet thumped against the cushioned vinyl behind her. “Since when have you ever held your tongue when it comes to me?”

She shrugged. “Maybe I’m trying something new. This is me attempting to be civil.” Alex hefted her gym bag onto her shoulder and faced him, but the expression meeting her was not what she’d expected. Markus stood, his cheeks flushed with his effort to keep his mouth clamped tight. “Don’t you dare,” she grumbled.

Laughter burst from him, ricocheting off the walls of the open space.

“What is so damn funny?” Her hands went to her hips and her bag fell.

“You.” He sucked in a breath. “My hot-tempered vixen…civil?” He tossed his head back with laughter once more. She would have found this new, relaxed side of him sexy, if it weren’t at her expense.

The temper he so nonchalantly mentioned boiled like a kettle of oil in her gut, the fire overflowing and heating her chest, her face. Before she could think better of her action, Alex charged forward and slammed her palms into his chest. “Stop it!”

Except she may as well have pounded at a brick wall for as much as he moved.

His head rolled forward, and he glared down at her. “Stop what?” he taunted her. “Laughing at you?” He smiled and chuckled. “Why should I, when you amuse me so?”

God, how this male infuriated her! “Well, then…” She smiled sweetly, holding tightly on the leash to the rage doing its best to consume her. Alex needed to make this count. “By all means, allow me to continue amusing you.”

Rearing back with her right leg, Alex swung her knee forward and upward with all her might. Straight into Markus’s groin. The large vampire gasped and doubled over, both hands grasping for his no doubt disappearing testicles.

Satisfaction bloomed like a warm brush of morning sun across her flesh.
Oh, he so deserved that.
She couldn’t stop her grin if she wanted to. And she definitely didn’t want to.

Heading for the door and a swift exit, Alex brushed past him. But before she’d taken two steps, Markus grabbed her arm.

Shit!
Alex spun, her fist ready and aiming for his jaw. She swung.

Markus blocked.

Damn him!

He pivoted. Kicked.

Alex blocked.
Yes!

She punched. Markus easily deflected her and tossed one of his own toward her jaw, but Alex was ready and knocked it away.

“That’s right,” he said. “You saw it coming, didn’t you?” He whipped around, his heel coming for the side of her head. Alex ducked, avoiding the kick, but returned his attack with her fist targeting his face. Except this time, he was ready. Markus weaved and dodged the blow. “Good,” he said. “Stay ahead of me.”

He blurred to her left, wrapping his arm around her throat. Alex’s breath hitched from the sudden contact. Instinct drove her hands to his forearm. He tightened his hold, the heat of his body clinging to her back and short-circuiting her brain.

“Think, Vixen,” he murmured at her ear, sliding his other arm up and around the back of her head, locking her in his grip. “How are you going to make me release you?”

Her pulse thundered in her head, but she wasn’t sure if it was panic or from his proximity.
Damn.
She couldn’t allow him to get the best of her. Alex searched and found the hand and elbow of the arm behind her head. Driving all of her reserves into her upper body, she pushed and loosened his hold enough to wiggle her head through the gap. She spun, keeping a tight hold on his arm, twisting it. He grunted, but she didn’t let go. Not yet. Instead, Alex delivered a forward kick into his rib cage. His head was lowered, and she released him, prepared to take him to the floor with an elbow to the back of his neck. But as she readied to deliver the blow, he wasn’t in the same spot.

An arm came out of nowhere, clipping hers up and back before impacting her chest and slamming her back onto the mat. Air whooshed from her lungs, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Hard palms seized her wrists a moment before Markus’s weight covered her.