Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles) (7 page)

I turn my head and instantly regret the loss of contact. I want to kiss him again, but I know if I don’t stop this now, he’ll lose control. Or I will. “Stop. You have to stop.”

Breath ragged, he rolls off of me and throws his arm over his eyes. I’m still shaking. The power is back on, but too wrapped up in Keller’s kiss , I have no idea when that happened. That’s terrifying. About a bazillion
what ifs
flash through my mind and none of them paint me in a pretty picture.

I see clearly now, though. I’m more certain than ever that Keller hadn’t been faking his weakness before. Almost immediately, dark circles appear under his eyes, his cheekbones become more pronounced, and his chest sinks a little.

This worries me. Knowing the inner workings of every being in the occult world is something I pride myself on. Knowledge is power and I have it in spades. Blood gives vampires energy, provides them with the nourishment they need to have super human strength, to live longer than any being should. Blood. Not flesh. And definitely not one measly kiss. I internally strike the measly part, though I won’t ever be sharing that tidbit of information with the man who seriously needs to open a kissing booth.

What does this say about us? I don’t understand it. Was I mistaken when I said my blood wasn’t special? I remind myself my blood played no part in what happened—what is happening—to Keller. “What’s wrong with you?”

Sluggishly, he drops his arm to the bed and turns to me. Dark eyes study me with so much intensity I squirm. I wish he would stop looking at me that way. Like he’s searching for a kink in my armor, looking for a way to crawl beneath my skin.

“I win,” Keller says, his raspy voice so full of conceit I consider shoving him off the bed.

He wins. Not sure what to say to that. I try to recall the particulars of our bet, but everything before the kiss is a bit hazy. I decide saying nothing is my best option at this point.

“Vampire got your tongue?”

I try not to laugh. I fail. “Good one.”

He coughs. I sober.

“Seriously, what is wrong?” A part of me knows—understands what’s happening to him. The rest of me sweeps that information into a tight little corner. “I get that you need to feed. And soon based on the looks of you. But…” How to say this? “A moment ago you seemed to have the strength of ten men. Now you look as if you’re two breaths away from the morgue.”

“That bad, huh?”

I nod.

“I want you something fierce, Josie. Want you more than I’ve ever wanted another.”

His words echo my thoughts from mere seconds ago. For a moment I forget to breathe.

“The thought of taking someone else’s blood doesn’t appeal to me in the least. My stomach cramps with the thought.” His eyes grow darker as he continues, “I’m here for a reason. To watch over you, protect you, arouse you, satisfy you.” He drags a lazy finger down my arm, smiling when I shiver. “I’m here to claim you.”

Alarms sound inside my head. They’re louder than the horn section in a marching band. I jump off the bed, dash to the dresser and pull two short blades out of the top drawer. “Claim me? As in your mate?”

“Yes. No need to stab me.”

So he says. I move close enough to do just that. “Nope. You’re wrong. I don’t belong to anyone.” This vampire is delusional.

Keller closes his eyes. “You do. You belong to me. It’s fated.”

Gripping the handles tightly, I say, “I think a lack of plasma has affected your brain. I don’t believe in fate.”

Keller smiles, showing a line of straight white teeth, and I curse my heart for flopping around in my chest like a fish out of water.

“Neither did I,” he says. “But that was before.”

I’m almost afraid to ask. You know, curiosity killing the cat and all that. “Before what?”

“Before you.”

Before I can respond, Keller hisses, leaps out of bed, and falls to his knees. I drop my blades and grab his elbow to help him up. The fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “What is it?”

“They’re coming,” he rasps out.

Face grim, Keller clenches his jaw tight enough for me to make out the sharpness of his bones. I don’t doubt him for a second. He shrugs off my hold and stumbles to the window. I’m right behind him. I flatten my back against the wall. He does the same on the other side.

The night is dark with cloud cover and flickering lights. At first I don’t see anything. The snow is coming down so hard I wonder if I’ve somehow been transported to Antarctica. I’m about to tell him to go back to bed when I notice several darker spots littering the snow-covered street about ten blocks down. The spots are moving, albeit slowly. I’d imagine any being, human or otherwise, would have a very hard time navigating in this weather. I squint, trying to make out the forms. Tall men with long black coats blowing in the wind walk in a single-file line. Warlocks. Some of them hold leashes in their hands. On the ends of those leashes are demons. Fantastic. A bunch of bloodthirsty magick worshippers and their hell-spawned dogs.

I flash my eyes toward Keller. He won’t be any help. Not in this condition. He can barely stand, let along fight. Looking back out the window, I count at least twelve heads. I’ve taken on worse. I’m a Huntress and a damn good one. I can do this. Still, it would be nice to have an extra pair of hands. Maybe I can kiss Sir Fang again. The only way that will work is if we’re lip locked through the entire fight. Interesting idea now that I think about it. I shake off the ridiculous thought and begin my preparations.

I shove away from the window and grab a pair of knee-high boots from under a pile of clean clothes. After digging out a pair of mismatched socks, I peel off my sweats and pull on my fighting jeans. They’re already stained. A little dog slobber won’t matter.

“What are you doing?” Keller looks from the window to me and back to the window again. ‘

“Suiting up.” I lace my other steel-toed boot. “How much time?”

Keller narrows his dark eyes. “You’re planning to fight them.”

I strap on two sheaths, one to my right thigh, the other to my left ankle. “How much time?”

“Ten. Maybe fifteen minutes. There are too many and I—”

“I’m not about to let them come in here, gut me like a stuck pick, and drain my blood. Even though my blood won’t do them any good, I’m not gonna lie down and hand it over.” I load the sheaths with two five-inch blades and slide another beneath my waistband. “I’m not made like that, Keller.”

Pacing, hands clasped tightly behind his head, he says, “I need blood.”

“What? Is that a news flash?”

He nails me with an angry glare. “For once your sarcasm isn’t appreciated. I can’t protect you when I’m like this.”

Pulling my hair to the side, I braid it tightly and fasten it with a band. “Don’t need your help. I’ve got this. Why don’t you hole up in the bathroom and I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come—”

Keller disappears. I turn and smack my head against his. “What the hell, Irish?”

“I’m your mate and I will protect you.”

The look in his eyes is frightening. I’m not scared for my safety, but I see something I’ve never seen in him before. Something Sage hinted at once when she spoke about her brother. Keller O’Leary is capable of things I don’t even want to imagine. “We’re not mates.” I think I spoke aloud but I can’t be sure.

“We are.”

That answers that.

He reaches for the door, flicks the lock.

“Where are you going?”

He whirls, teeters, and leans against the door to regain his balance. “I need blood, Josie, and I told you I wouldn’t take it from you unless you willingly gave it to me.” His lilt is strong with anger. He runs a hand through his hair, causing it to stand straight up. “I see that’s not going to happen tonight. I will do whatever I have to do to protect you, whether you think you need me to or not.”

My fingers itch to smooth his hair back in place. “So what? You’re gonna flash your ass to a blood bank and come back all lickety split like to play hero?”

“No,” he says wearily. “I can’t be gone that long. They’ll be here soon. I’ll take what I need from your neighbors.” Keller turns his back to me and opens the door.

Excuse me? Either Keller just fell off the crazy train or my ears aren’t working quite right. No way in hell is that going to happen. My neighbors are citizens of Nashville and, therefore, fall under my protection. He’s more than half starved and the possibility that he’ll be able to stop himself from completely draining his victim is slim to none at best. I sprint across the room and slam the door closed. I wedge myself between Keller and the door, barring the only exit aside from the window. If he wants to attempt a three-story jump, I’ll have to tackle him. I’m not opposed to the idea. “I can’t let you do that.”

He lifts a brow, then rests his chin on the top of my head. “There is no other way. You may be able to fight them. You might even win, but more are coming. I can feel them, Josie. Trust me on this.”

I take a moment and have a heart to heart with my gut. Instinct tells me Keller’s right. This is only the first wave. I’ll admit I’m a little proud they’re sending so many to take me down. I’m known as a badass of epic proportions around these parts. Good to know my reputation stands. I won’t go as far as to say I need his help, but I will admit I can use it. I take a deep breath and know I’ll immediately regret the words that are about to come out of my mouth. What choice do I have?

“You can have my blood.”

Keller lifts his head and backs up two steps, shock and something else I can’t quite explain evident in his expression.

“What did you say?”

I stand straighter. “I said you can have my blood, but if you try pulling any of that aphrodisiac shit on me, I’ll stake you to the wall.”

-7-

The Vampire Bites

Keller tensed.

You can have my blood.

Josie’s words echoed in Keller’s mind. He hadn’t been drunk since he’d been turned. He was drunk now, though. Drunk on five life-altering words.

The walls seemed to close in on them, pulsing, squeezing out the rest of the world and allowing no room for interference. This wasn’t the way he had planned their first bite at all, but he’d do it if it meant protecting Josie. Not only do it, he knew with absolute certainty this bite would predict his future—their future. The first taste would lead to more, and he looked forward to the endless days where he would spend hours doing nothing but sinking into her heat, pleasuring her while she screamed and begged for release. He would take her to the precipice over and over again until, finally, he would allow her to fall. Powerless, or perhaps unwilling to control his thoughts, his gaze went hot.

As if she sensed his mounting desire, Josie widened her stance and went into protection mode. She cleared her throat and said, “My blood. My terms.”

Unable to speak, he nodded, eyed the vein pulsing erratically just below her ear.

“Not my neck.” Josie reached back and pulled the knife from her waistband. The sharp metal shined brightly, reflecting off the overhead light.

He laughed until she slid the blade across the inside of her left wrist. Blood welled, dripped, called to him like a siren’s song.

The scent—her scent—wrapped wickedly around him. Keller felt his cheeks hollow, his gums ache, his erection swell.

Seemingly unaffected, Josie thrust her arm toward him in a hasty fashion. “Wasting time here. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Drops of bright red blood stained the worn carpet, a warning and an invitation. Keller moved then, but resisted the overwhelming urge to take her vein. Not yet. Her pleasure came first. A first bite came once and once only. He had to make it count. Sliding his palm over her cheek, he cradled the back of her head and dipped in to kiss her softly, shifting so that his legs straddled hers. Josie stood ramrod straight for a full five seconds, then, as if she lost her will to fight, sighed and returned the kiss. Keller lingered before brushing his mouth over her cheek, across her ear. He pressed his lips to her neck, inhaled.

“Don’t,” she whispered, her breath shaky.

Though he heard the lust that roughened her voice, felt her heat as she leaned into his thigh and pressed her core against him, he said, “I won’t.” Many considered the neck to be the most intimate of spots. Keller wasn’t sure he agreed. Intimacy came in the form of emotions, the connecting of souls. He nipped at her shoulder. “Has another fed from you before?” Whether she said yes or no shouldn’t matter. Regardless, Keller braced for the answer.

“Never,” she stated, her voice sharp with denial.

Relief and immense satisfaction washed over him. He would be her first. And if he had anything to say about it, his bite would be the only bite she experienced from here on out. Keller smiled against her shoulder, reached for her left hand. “It won’t hurt.”

“I’m no stranger to pain. I can take it. Just hurry up.”

“I won’t hurt you,” he said to clarify his statement. Keller lifted his head, searched her eyes, saw the mock bravery and appreciated her all the more for it. He figured they had about five minutes left. Five minutes of bliss before the warlocks tried to take what belonged to him. Five minutes before he destroyed them. “And I won’t hurry. I plan to savor this.”

“Yeah,” she said. “You do that. Let’s be clear on something here.”

“What’s that?”

“This is a one-time only deal.”

Keller licked his lips, tilted his head. “Perhaps.” A flicker of doubt entered his mind. One taste would confirm that Josie was his true mate. What if he was wrong? He shook his head, pushed the thought away as if it were poison. He wasn’t wrong. Not about this. Lifting her wrist to his lips, Keller licked her wound closed with one long, slow caress of his tongue. Refusing to swallow, he clenched his teeth. She had her terms. He had his.

Brows furrowed, Josie asked, “What are you doing?”

“This.” Keller dropped to his knees and before she could say another word, lifted her shirt and pierced the sensitive skin of her waist. Blood coated his tongue. Keller carefully swallowed once and all coherent thoughts fled. Nothing mattered but this moment. Josie sucked in a breath, released it on a moan. She clutched his hair in her hands. Gripping her hips, he pulled her blood into his mouth, drank as if his life depended on it and instantly grew lightheaded from the amount of pure power entering his body. Muscles contracting, his heart slammed against his ribcage. He heard every stuttered breath Josie took, every flake of snow that brushed against the window, every jumbled thought that ran through her head. Energy buzzed his system like a high-voltage explosion. This was not a normal feeding. This was a fusion of souls.