VampireMine (12 page)

Leigh didn’t love Nathan. She yearned for someone else.

In another time and place, Sadie would have fought Nathan if
he tried to stake a claim.

It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right.

Life seldom was.

“No! Get away from me.” Leigh’s defeated cry seared Sadie’s
soul. “No!”

“Shh, baby,” Trey soothed, wrapping his arms around her. It
was then Sadie realized she was trembling violently. “I’m here.”

He was there but at what cost?

Her attention drifted to Nathan and Leigh.

Nathan subdued the fragile vampire easily, trapping her
small form against the wall. The Beta was cautious but determined, snaking his
hands around Leigh’s wrists. Even if Leigh tried to phase, she couldn’t. The
fledgling was strong but hadn’t yet developed her powers. For the first time
Sadie was glad Leigh hadn’t fine-tuned her abilities. Leigh had no idea what
kind of danger she was in. In her current mental state she couldn’t be reasoned
with. There was nothing left to do but take care of her, keeping her from
inflicting harm on herself.

“Tell him not to let her go.” She sagged against Trey,
emotionally battered. “She’s scared and hurt.”

No, it was more than that.

The poor woman was maimed—her soul torn apart and bleeding
out.

Weakness sapped the last of her strength.

She sank into Trey’s arms, closing her eyes.

If Aldon tried to find them, he couldn’t.

Even if she’d lost Leigh’s trust forever, everyone was safe.

For now.

“Don’t you dare let her go,” Trey snapped, holding Sadie
close. “If you do, she’s gone. You feel me? Hold her tight. Do not let her
loose.”

Leigh howled at the order, kicking out at Nathan’s shins,
tears streaming down her face. When that didn’t work she attempted to ram her
knee into the Beta’s crotch. Nathan moved out of the way, dodging the blow,
then moved in close. That riled the banshee up even more. She thrashed so hard
she caused the nightstand to shake—wailing all the while—and the tiny
knickknacks on the top rattled.

Damn the woman.

She’d already made enough noise to raise the dead. If
Diskant found out the unstable female had lost her shit a second time he’d kill
her for sure.

“For fuck’s sake,” he hissed, wishing she’d shut the fuck
up. “Keep her quiet.”

How in the hell the Beta kept his level of control, Trey
would never understand. Nathan calmly placed one of his hands over Leigh’s
mouth, keeping the other locked around her wrist. Using his much larger body to
his advantage he pushed his weight into her and caged her against the wall.
Leigh didn’t give up, curving her fingers into balled fists.

“You want to tell me what set her off this time?” he
whispered in Sadie’s ear. “What happened? Why’s she so angry?”

“
It’s a lot of things, actually,
” Sadie responded
telepathically. “
Give me a minute to catch my breath. I’ll talk to her.
”

“I don’t want you talking to her.” And he didn’t. Not one
small iota. Right then he really pitied Nathan. A crackpot for a mate? How fair
was that? “The bitch is fucking crazy.”

“She is not a bitch. And she isn’t crazy.” Sadie tried to
shove away from him. “Don’t be a dick.”

Whatever. The insane woman was Nathan’s problem.

Satisfied Leigh wasn’t going anywhere, Trey slid an arm
beneath Sadie’s ass, lifted her from the ground and went to shut the door. He
stopped when he saw Ava standing right outside the room, her arms folded over
her stomach.

His good humor faded. Sadie tensed against him, going
impossibly still.

Shit.

“Ava.” Sadie tried to wriggle free, letting him go. “It’s
not what it looks like.”

“This is my home,” Ava said, crossing the threshold. She lowered
her arms and closed the door, eyes on Sadie. “You stay here, you abide by my
rules. That one,” Ava’s gaze drifted to Leigh, her irises no longer blue but an
eerie hue of green, “needs to learn her place.”

Double shit.

Leigh had just brought out Ava’s dark side.

Nathan whipped his head toward the Omega’s mate, panic in
his expression. “Ava—”

“Quiet.” Ava cut the man short, striding toward the wall.
“If I can’t get the message through her head then Diskant will. Is that what
you want?”

Sadie dropped her weight, ready to defend her friend. Trey
caught her before she could break away, wrapping his arms around her waist.
When she tried to yank free he sent a clear and direct thought to her.
Do it
and Diskant will come in here, rip Leigh’s head off and send you packing.
Watch, listen and stay right where you fucking are.

“You’ve suffered, I get it.” Ava stopped a few feet away
from Leigh, resting one of her small hands on her burgeoning tummy. “Life’s a
bitch like that. But you’re not in Kansas anymore. There are no red slippers
here. You can’t click your heels and go back home. As far as Diskant’s
concerned, you’re better off dead than alive. He doesn’t think you’re worth the
trouble or the risk. And I’m not going to argue with him over it. Especially if
you’re going to act like this.”

Trey wasn’t sure if he should keep his arms around Sadie or
bolt for Nathan. Both were furious, the tension in the room so thick you could
cut it with a knife.

Ava didn’t back down, gauging her opponent, standing calm
before the storm. Ironically enough Leigh had finally gotten hold of herself.
No longer did she fight against Nathan, her attention was riveted on Ava. Maybe
if they were lucky for a fucking change the vampire finally grasped what kind
of position she was in.

“This,” Ava said, gazing down as she rubbed her belly, “is
more important than anyone else in this room. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep
my son or daughter safe, even if it makes me a monster.” Lifting her head, she
whispered, “I feel for you. You’ve been dealt an unfair hand. If things were
different I’d try to help you. But I won’t risk my child. It’s never going to
happen. It’s best you know that now.”

“
You don’t know anything about me.
” Leigh’s thought
ricocheted through Trey’s mind. His chin darted up, his senses on alert.
Everyone’s faces told him they’d heard her as well. “I want to leave,” Leigh
informed them. “Let me go.”

“I’ve been listening to your thoughts since you arrived. I
know everything about you,” Ava informed Leigh, a frown tugging at the corners
of her mouth. “Like where you come from. Who your parents were… We share that,
actually. My parents died when I was young too.” Ava joined gazes with Leigh.
“I know everything you’ve thought about since you phased here. I know what
you’re afraid of. What you’re trying to avoid. I know what you’d try to hide,”
Ava shook her head, “not what—
who
—you’d try to hide.”

After a pause, Leigh’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh yes, I would,” Ava whispered, nodding. “Do I have you
attention now?”

Tears seeped down Leigh’s face. She closed her eyes and
nodded.

What the fuck was Ava talking about?

What had Leigh so shaken?

“Good, you’re finally listening,” Ava said. “You’re going to
do what I say from here on in. You won’t argue. You won’t try to run. You’ll do
whatever you’re told, whenever you’re told. I’m warning you.” Ava’s irises
changed from green to yellow. “If you cause us harm—if you vanish without a
trace or stir up any shit—I’ll hunt Brett down and kill him myself.”

Leigh’s eyes flared open and she screamed into Nathan’s
hand.

“
What the fuck?
” Sadie snarled in Trey’s head,
clawing at his arm. “She can’t do that!”

“Can’t she?” Trey didn’t blame Ava for protecting her unborn
child. In a smooth motion he captured Sadie’s forearms and brought them to her
breasts, trapping her hands, keeping her back pressed against his chest. “She’s
the Omega’s mate. She can do whatever she wants.”

“I’m going to tell Nathan to let you go now.” Ava took
several steps back, inching away from Leigh and Nathan. “I expect you to calm
down, pull yourself together and behave while you’re in my home. And a small
word of caution? Don’t do this again. There won’t be any second chances.”

Nathan cautiously removed his hand from Leigh’s mouth.
Across the distance Trey could see the Beta’s fingers trembling in rage. Leigh
slid to the ground and Nathan followed, whispering soft reassurances as he
crouched before her. Sadie didn’t stop struggling to get free, wriggling like a
worm on a hook, her fury directed at Ava.

“You’re pissed. I get it,” Ava said, turning to Sadie. “But
I meant what I said.”

“I think I made a mistake saving you in that alley,” Sadie
snarled, her words laced with acid. “I should have left you bleeding out on the
ground. I should have left that gaping hole in your fucking head.”

“Maybe.” Ava didn’t take the bait, remaining neutral. “Maybe
not.”

“I won’t let you hurt her.”

“How exactly will you stop me? Do you think you can kill me
and take your chances with the pack? For the sake of argument, say that
happens. Where will you go? To your coven? Are you going to ask them for help?
Do you think they’ll give it to you?”

Ava raised a hand and snapped her fingers.

“That’s right. You don’t have a coven anymore.” Lowering her
arm, Ava whispered threateningly, “Leigh’s not the only one I’ve been listening
to. I’ve been monitoring your thoughts since you walked through my door. Don’t
underestimate me because I used to be human. I’m not a vampire and I’m not a
shifter. I’m something in between. That makes me a lot more dangerous.”

Without another word, Ava walked to the door and slipped
from the room.

“Get your hands off me,” Sadie roared as soon as Ava slipped
out of sight.

Trey let her go, feeling numb. He watched from the sidelines
as she shoved Nathan aside and went to her friend. Sadie held Leigh as the
woman sobbed, running a comforting hand down her back. Nathan turned to Trey,
obviously torn. The poor bastard didn’t know what to do.

Welcome to the club.

The Omega’s mate had prevented a catastrophe but her
involvement came with a price. Not only were they faced with enemies at the
gates, they now had them right inside the doors.

Damn you, Ava.

So much for a welcoming his mate and her friend with open
arms.

Time for damage control.

“Open up. I mean it.”

Sadie tried to ignore Trey’s firm knock at the door.

He meant it? Really?

What-the-fuck ever.

Funny how adrenaline could take a vampire from dazed to
strong. She’d felt wrung out until Ava had shown up, started some shit and left
Leigh a total mess. Then Sadie’s protective nature had kicked in, her
determination to shield the young vampire kicking into overdrive. She’d managed
to put Leigh on the bed and force the men from the room, screaming at them to
go.

They’d argued, naturally, trying to stay right where they
were.

Too bad she wasn’t in a pleasant mood.

A nice little scuffle had ensued. The men were gifted, she’d
give them that. They were strong and hearty. But she had centuries of practice
on them. Turns out she only needed a bit of motivation to put them on their
asses. Something she should have done from the start. She’d been stupid to put
her trust in Trey. He’d turned on her once and—in classic asshole style—he’d
done so again. She’d thanked him properly, of course, as she’d escorted the
loser and his sidekick from the bedroom.

Nathan had retreated with a bloody nose.

Trey had been graced with a blow to the family jewels.

Served them right.

“That’s your final warning, darlin’,” Trey warned, his voice
a steady growl. “I’m going to let myself in if you don’t open this door right
now.”

“You want me?” she snapped, moving from the bed. Watching
Leigh bawl like a baby had put her in a fighting mood. If Trey wanted some of
that action, she was willing to oblige. “Here I come.”

She sneered when she burst from the door, got a lock on his
face and decked him in the chin. He staggered back, taken unaware, bringing his
large hands up to cup his face. Energy dripped from her, the need to expend her
anger into something else—someone else—so strong she couldn’t deny it.

Hell, she didn’t
want
to deny it.

“First,” she huffed, advancing on him, “I’m going to kick
your worthless ass. I’m going to work you up and down this hallway like a
fucking mop. Then, when I think you’ve earned it, I’m going to cut off your
balls and feed them to you.”

He lifted his arms into a defensive pose as he moved, trying
to get out of her range.

Dumbass. Didn’t he know he she was faster? Apparently not.

She clipped his chin a second time and brought her leg
around. A swift kick swept him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, landing
with a loud thump.
Idiot.
She went for broke, launching her body over
his. She let her fists guide her, setting her feet shoulder width apart and
kneeling down, pummeling him for all she was worth.

He’d brought this on himself. He’d known the score. He was
more than aware of what she’d do if he scorned her a second time. He hadn’t
listened. Nope. He’d taken Ava’s side instead, falling in line like a good
little puppy.

How do you like me now?
She slammed her fist into his
mouth.
Fucker.

“Don’t piss me off,” he snarled, capturing one of her hands
before it could connect with his jaw again. “You have a right to be mad but
I’ll only put up with so much.”

He didn’t just say that. Not after everything she’d given
him.

“You’ll only put up with so much? Sweet thing, I’m going to
make you eat those words.”

She moved faster than he could see, springing away from his
grasp. Her only regret was she wasn’t as fast as she should’ve been. In another
time and place she’d have wiped the floor with his sorry ass. If she’d been
able to feed on others she’d have taken blood from another source and beat the
shit out of him like he truly deserved. Trey had no idea what she could do.
He’d only seen her drained, not at full speed.

One day, I’ll show him. Then he’ll understand all I’ve
sacrificed.

He came at her, arms extended. He thought he was going to
catch her?

Ignoramus.

Her vision caught the movement, centuries of agonizing
training kicking in. She shifted her weight, unaware she’d done so. His fingers
swiped her arm but slipped away as she moved. He was more than foolish for
taking her on. The egotistical shithead was out of his head.

Fool.

A simple glide and she sidestepped out of his reach a second
time. She brought her arms to her chest, curling her fingers to taunt him. “Is
that the best you’ve got?”

He thought he could bring it? If he kept up like this, she
could go all night.

She caught a shadow in her peripheral vision.

Someone had decided to watch.

She didn’t turn, eyes attuned to Trey. She’d make sure the
dumbass served as a reminder of what she was—of who she’d been to her coven—a
protector and vampire warrior in her own right. She hadn’t survived all these
years by being slow or stupid. A part of her hoped Ava was watching. Her
beliefs wouldn’t let Sadie harm the woman while she was pregnant but once Ava’d
delivered her baby all bets were off. The horrible woman had hurt Leigh in the
worst way imaginable. There was no excuse for that.

Aldon be damned.

Trey rushed her but she dodged carefully away. All she
needed was an opening. She didn’t want to kill him—that would kill her—but she
could make him suffer. She’d draw this moment out and make it last, taking his
blood even if it meant spilling it and not drinking it. It was no less than he
deserved. He’d hurt her so many times in so many ways. Even after she’d given
her body to him, offering herself on a plate served with a side of
fuck-me-over-pretty-please.

She should have known that wouldn’t be enough.

Men—whether they were shifters or not—always wanted more.

“I hate you!” she screamed, aiming a punch at his head. But
she knew it was a lie. She didn’t hate him, far from it. If only she could.

You’re so fucking weak! Grow up.

She kept swinging, uncaring where the blows landed.

After all this time she was tired and emotionally exhausted.
Without the welcome venom of outrage to give her strength she was ripped open
and bleeding out. She couldn’t keep going. Not anymore. Everything finally
managed to catch up with her, taking her down several pegs. It shouldn’t have
bothered her so much. Eventually everyone had a breaking point. She just hadn’t
thought Trey would be the reason she’d finally found hers.

There was no choice but to accept her fate.

She’d made the decisions to bring her to this point in time.

Damn it. Damn
him
.

At that point it was only about hurt and despair, loss and
fury. She wasn’t in control anymore, left to the mercy of the man she wanted to
pummel. He would reduce her to nothing. Even worse? With a bit of praise or
sweetness she’d let him. What good was immortality if it left her so weak? What
was the point of living if this was all she had to look forward to?

The walls fell away, leaving her naked and painfully aware
of herself.

He could see her now—scarred, battered and bruised.

Who gives a shit? He doesn’t care. Why should you?

“Hate you,” she breathed, pumping her fist into his chest,
trying to convince herself it was true. “So much.”

“I know.” Trey didn’t fight, accepting each slam of her
knuckles into his hard pectorals. “I don’t blame you. Let it out. Let it go.”

Let it go?

All the pain she’d locked up unleashed, her misery swinging
wide open. Her knuckles ached, the muscles in her arms felt heavy as she tried
to lift them. She kept swinging, breathing past the agony. Her target was the
invisible phantom that kept her from finding any measure of happiness. The
shadow of her heart offered a glimpse of what she wanted most only to take it
away time and time again. Goddess, she couldn’t let him win. Not like this, due
to her lack of emotional integrity. He’d taken too much. She couldn’t give him
this too. Not if she expected to look at herself in the mirror. Her pride was
on the line.

How could he respect her if she didn’t respect herself?

“I’m sorry. I wish you knew how much.” He caught her hands,
holding them tenderly. She held her breath, trying to find the strength to pull
away. “Turn all that hate into something else. You don’t have to be the strong
one anymore. You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here. I’ll keep you safe. You
have me.”

“Have you?” Anger, warm and welcome, revived her. Yanking
free, she yelled, “How could I? I never had you.”

“You’ve always had me. I was too stupid to admit it.”

“You son of a bitch!”

She took another swing and he took her down, capturing her in
his embrace, using his size and strength against her. She screamed, letting
herself go, accepting the inevitable. He had her now. The fight was over. To
make sure Leigh survived she had to surrender. Her life wasn’t the only one at
stake. And—even if she loathed it—she wanted Trey. She always had.

He knew it too. He’d always known.

That was her ultimate degradation.

“How did I come to this?” Goddess, she sounded pitiful. “I’m
a fool.”

“No you’re not.” He snaked his fingers into the hair at her
nape. Pulling her head back, he forced her to look at him. “Don’t ever say that
again.”

It was hard to see him now, her vision blurred by tears.

For a moment she thought she gleaned sympathy and dread in
his expression.

“Foolish,” she repeated, running on empty.

“Never,” he rebuked her. “Never, Sadie.”

But she was. Eventually he’d know it as well.

She broke down, crumbling in on herself.

There was nowhere go. No safe place to run.

She’d finally hit rock bottom.

And it was all her fault.

It felt as though something unlatched in Trey’s chest. He
watched Sadie’s face blaze triumphant in rage only to scatter to ashes in
defeat. She cried, her tears like ragged blades ripping into his soul. He
wanted to give her what she wanted but he didn’t know how. She’d said she hated
him and he believed her.

Why shouldn’t she? He’d given her no reason not to.

“Let her cry it out.” Diskant emerged from the shadows.
“It’s what she needs.”

“Is it?” Trey asked quietly, trying to hold his mate and
figure out what the fuck to do. Diskant was one of his oldest friends and the
Omega was mated. Perhaps he did understand. Needing some kind of answer, he
started babbling, “I’ve failed her every single time she’s turned to me for
something. I thought she’d understand how important she is after I claimed her.
I thought she would understand how I feel.”

“She’s a woman,” Diskant replied as though it explained
everything. “They’re prone to mood swings. Trust me.” He stepped into the
light, a scowl on his face. “I know what Ava did. I understand her reasoning,
even if her actions were harsh. I came to apologize.” He looked at Sadie,
furrowing his brows. “I think it’s a bit too late for that.”

Trey felt like lashing out but kept his temper in check.
“She told you what she did?”

“Not exactly,” Diskant answered and peered over his
shoulder. After a moment, his attention returned to Sadie. “The connection I
have with Ava… It’s changed.”

For the first time Diskant was revealing what Trey
suspected—that Ava and Diskant communicated in some telepathic form. They’d
tried to hide it but Trey was around them too much not to notice. Everyone knew
Ava could hear the thoughts of humans. Many suspected she could enter the minds
of shifters too. Now Trey knew for certain. Ava had a powerful ability. No
wonder Diskant always knew so much. He remembered her telling Diskant she’d
been listening to Sadie’s thoughts as they’d approached the house.

That was how she’d sensed their arrival.

She’d been eavesdropping.

“She told you what she was doing and you didn’t tell her to
stop?”

“She didn’t tell me shit,” Diskant spat, angry. “The only
reason I’m sharing this is your mate is the same. We’re both in the same
fucking boat.” He huffed, shuffling his feet. “Ava doesn’t know her mental
shields have weakened in the last few weeks. I can hear her even when she tries
to block me out.” His jaw clenched, shoulders tense. He studied Sadie
differently, glowing yellow eyes combing over her form. “I didn’t know you’d be
paying us a visit. When your mate is in better shape we’ll have to find out how
much she knows about Ava. We need to understand what’s going on.”

“You think she’ll tell you? Now? After what Ava’s done?” A
growl crept up Trey’s throat. “If Sadie knew what Ava had planned do you
honestly think she’d have left Leigh here? Do you truly believe she’d have come
to us and not taken the woman somewhere else? Ava just fucked everything
sideways. She’s done damage that might not be repairable.”

“Ava didn’t want to confront the woman,” Diskant chided.
“Not until she broke down a second time.” Diskant’s vibrant gaze swept to Trey.
“Not cool, by the way.”

“Not cool? Are you serious? You’re coming at me with not
fucking cool?” Trey cracked his neck, trying not to succumb to the fury of his
wolf. “I’ll tell you what’s not cool. Your female threatened a woman she
promised to welcome to her home. She threatened Leigh and gave her no way out.
How’d you think Sadie would react? My female isn’t a weak-minded bitch. She
doesn’t want to rock a jock or whine for attention. She’s a fighter. Ava lit a match
that started a fucking fire.”

“Be that as it may, we’ve got shit to sort.” Diskant shifted
his weight, taking a step closer. “You’re in no frame of mind to think through
things clearly. Good thing you have me.”

“Oh fearless Yoda,” Trey snapped, broken as Sadie cried.
“Guide me.”

Show me the fucking way, you son of a bitch.

Ava had fucked things up in the most colossal way. Before
her interference things had been peachy keen. Leigh had lost it but Sadie could
have calmed the vampire down. Now? Trey knew he was fucked, fucked and fucked.
Sadie hated him. She’d said so very clearly. All of her hurt and pain had come
at him hard and fast, the impact slamming into him full force.