“Colorado. In a residence facility outside Boulder.” He ran a gentle hand over her arm. Her
healed
arm.
“I slept the whole way? Even from the plane to here?” Her mind spun as she stretched against him. Her body felt
fantastic
. “Your blood provides a serious whammy.” Too bad her heart ached from the vision.
“Thank you.” He flattened a hand against her tummy. “Tell me about your dream.”
Dread flushed through her. “I don't remember it.”
“Liar.” The room tilted and she ended up under a vampire. He dropped a gentle kiss on her mouth. “I want to know what frightens you so, love.”
She couldn't tell him. He'd made no secret of his intent to love and protect her, a path that might destroy him. Past failures already haunted her, and she was a woman who learned from her mistakes.
This
vision she'd heed. “How is everyone else?”
“Fine.” He settled himself more comfortably at the apex of her legs, and she fought a whimper.
A sudden thought occurred to her. “Why aren't you reading my mind?”
He lowered his head to run his heated mouth along her neck to nibble on her ear. “You have shields up. Even when you're asleep.”
Her hands crept down his back to clench his tight ass on their own volition. “Couldn't you breach my shields?” He'd won their last psychic contest of wills hands down.
“Yes.” His palm spread over a breast before he rolled the nipple between his fingers.
She arched into him, her mind spinning for a moment. “So why didn't you?”
He pinched and she fought a moan. Then he grasped the back of her thigh and pushed her leg up, opening her for him. “Because I respect your privacy?” His heated palm reached around to clench her hip.
Oh God. “Is that why?”
His hand slid under her ass to squeeze. “No.” He nipped at her jaw until reaching her mouth, sliding his tongue between her lips to tempt her with pure male.
Her head spun when he deepened the kiss and it took a moment to refocus as he began to wander that mouth down to her breasts. “No? What do you mean, no?”
He sighed, raising up until his silver gaze slid through the darkness to pin her in place. “I didn't breach your mental shields because you're too fragile right now.”
Fragile? Bullshit. “I'm not fragile.” He needed to learn she was strong enough to protect him, maybe even stand beside him someday. She tried to lower her leg, but his broad hand clasped her thigh and held it in place.
“Yes, you are. You've recently been marked and now you've been shot. I could damage you if I ripped open your shields.” He sighed. “Though I'd hoped at some point you'd trust me enough to take them down.”
The damn king had a sweetness to him he'd certainly deny. One that she was going to miss. “I'm done talking, Dage.” She reached for him, so full and hard.
He growled low when she took him in hand and began to lightly run her fingernails along his length.
She smiled. “So. Are you going to use this or what?”
Grabbing her hand, he manacled both wrists above her head. “Nice distraction, love. Though I've had enough of this bullshit.”
The crass language from the king sent an alert through her system. “Ah, doesn't duty call? Shouldn't we get to work?” She tried a tiny struggle, not surprised when he held her in place.
He settled his erection against her core. “The king's life is about duty, love. You belong to the man.” The nip to her lip nearly stung. “And the man wants to know why you deny what he can feel in your heart.”
She rolled her eyes, fighting the urge to rub against him like a cat in heat. “Talking about yourself in third person is a bad sign, Dage. Nutsville.”
He grinned. “True. Not letting me help is crazy as well. Tell me what you're running from.”
She couldn't. Well, she could, but there was no way Dage would allow the visions to alter his life. For once, someone would have to protect the king. And the man.
Determination filled his eyes. “Is it about your childhood?”
She froze. “What do you know about that?” Her hands loosened their hold on his butt.
A ticking set up in his jaw. “Cara told me your father was a mean drunk who liked to hit.”
Cara had told him that? Interesting. “She never talks about that time in our lives. I'm surprised she said anything.”
Dage planted a soft kiss on the underside of Emma's jaw. “I think she was trying to explain why you'd be a pain in my ass. She told me about the times you purposefully put yourself in his path so she wouldn't get hurt.”
Loyalty welled up in Emma's heart. “Cara saved me more than once. She even bit him so he'd drop a knife. She was so brave, Dage.”
A broad hand that would never hit brushed Emma's curls off her forehead. “You were both brave.”
She sighed. “I wasn't sorry when he died. Something in me should've been, but ...” The guilt from letting her mother die, too, would forever eat at her, but she couldn't tell Dage about that.
“I don't blame you. But times have changed, your life has changed. As has your role.” A firmness entered the king's tone to replace the kindness.
“My role?” Emma tensed.
“Yes. You're no longer a shield, love. That's my job.”
Her mind began to spin. “I don't understand.” Hoping to distract him, she wrapped both legs around his heated hips. Damn but he felt amazing against her. Power hummed through her veins from the blood he'd given her, and she wanted to take it for a spinâwith his incredible body.
“You understand. Use that gigantic brain and click the facts into place. Why did you think you needed to protect your sister and mother?” Desire turned his voice to a raspy timbre that made her shiver.
She struggled to focus on the thread of conversation. “Because I could. I'm strongerâharder to hurt.” Physically and emotionally. Cara's gift as an empath came from the heart, while Emma's psychic ability was all mental.
“Are you stronger than me?” He lifted his eyebrows as if in a dare.
Come on. The guy was twice her size as well as being a vampire. “Pain doesn't have to be physical, Dage.” Emotional scars cut much deeper than a backhand from a drunk. And the king had his own ghosts. She wouldn't become one of them. She'd never haunt him, so long as their relationship ended quickly.
“Listen.” He swept a kiss across her mouth, his gaze pinning hers. “I may not be inside your head right now, but I can feel enough to know you're protecting me. It's beginning to piss me off.”
Too bad. For too long the king had single-handedly shouldered the world, and she'd be damned if she'd allow him to lump her in with the rest of those he needed to shield. “I don't know what you're talking about.” The brand on her shoulder began to burn. An ache deep inside her wanted him to fill her.
Now.
“Yes you do. I don't want your protection. I want your trust.” And your love. The unspoken word hung in the air.
Enough of this. “You need to listen to me. I don't want this lifeâI'm not staying.” Her heart sliced into pieces as she said the words. She'd loved him since the first time she'd shared his past in a vision. “After we find a cure for Cara, I'm moving on.” She needed him prepared just in case she didn't beat death, so she tensed, waiting for the explosion.
A smile flirted with Dage's lips until spreading into a full grin. He began to chuckle, his eyes filling with amusement. “You're adorable.”
Fury instantly burst into her. “Don't you even think about being condescending with me.” She was a top-rated geneticist for God's sakes. People with brains took her seriously. The king better follow suit, especially since power now pumped through her blood.
He shrugged, grasping one of her hips and plunging inside her with one powerful stroke.
She gasped, digging her nails into his skin. Fire lanced through her and nerves jumped to life as he filled her. Completely.
Dropping his forehead to hers, he tightened his grip. “Then stop being silly.” His fangs flared in the dim light. One strong hand tugged her head to the side, revealing her neck. “Mine.”
Quick as a flash, he struck.
Chapter 9
S
everal hours later Dage threw a stack of papers down on the glass table in a conference room. Shades let in the soft light of dawn from the two wide windows and he fought a growl at how exposed his people were in that place. They should be underground at headquarters.
He glanced at Kane. “So we've confirmed Cara, Maggie, and Katie have been infected.” His mate might as well have a target on her back.
The Kurjans would be coming for her.
A burning lit along his spine to explode at the base of his neck, the beast inside him clawing to be freeâto protect and avenge. Quelling the creature took him several deep breaths as well as a formidable will unmatched by human or immortal beings. As his mind took control, he flirted with the thought of passing the reins to Talen or Kane. But he couldn't do that to his brothers.
“I've double-checked the results using a direct fluorescent antibody stain similar to the H1N1 flu testâonly takes thirty minutes. The virus is alive and duplicating itself within the cells of Cara, Maggie, and Kate.” Kane leaned against a wall papered in an executive green and maroon stripe, his intelligent eyes trained on Dage. “Preliminary tests show that Emma hasn't been exposed.”
“How good are the tests?”
Kane shrugged. “The Kurjans have been mapping DNA for the last century and thanks to Talen's raiding last month, we have all their research. Of course, we're double-checking and confirming the data as fast as possible.”
Dage rubbed a hand across his eyes. “I hate this. Bringing in the human researchers might be the decision that takes the Kayrs family down for good.” Though then he wouldn't have to play king any more.
“I know. But we need fast results and the humans have the necessary bodies to get it done. Since I've separated them into small labs, they have no idea what they're working on.” Kane sighed. “I should've been concentrating the last century on genetics and not on weaponry.”
“No.” Dage shook his head. “We knew our peace with the Kurjans would end and advanced weapons would be crucial.” He'd never thought a biological weapon would threaten his people. The failure here was his. “So what happens now? I mean with the virus?”
Kane shrugged. “Viruses are either progressive or the host fights them off and wins, like with the common cold.”
Dage's shoulders tightened to rock. “Progressive? Explain.”
“I will. But first I need to read the latest information from Talen's raid as well as review the blood samples from the women. The most helpful at this time are Maggie's. Since we've had her blood for a few weeks we can trace the development of the virus.”
“For shifters. Humans may be different.”
Kane nodded. “Yes.”
Dage stood and tossed his empty grape drink bottle into the trash. “I'll awaken Emma as soon as the lab is ready.” He began to pace, an odd pit in his gut giving him pause. Fear? The realization sent fury bubbling to the surface.
Kane cleared his throat. “Any headway on discovering how the Kurjans found you on the tarmac?”
“No. Our soldiers killed the shooters before being able to interrogate them. We don't know how they discovered our plan to leave.” The damn Kurjans could've been covering every airport just in case. Dage's boots made a dull clomping noise on the industrial tiles.
Kane straightened. “We'll figure this out, Dage.”
“Figure this out?” Dage rounded on his brother. “Are you fucking kidding me? They shot
my mate
.” His arm swept the table and papers spun toward the floor and cascaded across sparkling tile. A dark haze covered his vision with the need for violence, nearly blinding him. “And Janie. God, Janie ...” Shock filled him as he realized his hands trembled.
Trembled.
“They caused her to bleed. For that alone, they'll all die.”
Calm, serious, always thinking, Kane didn't flinch. The man had taken a full grown grizzly down once while seriously wounded, but even then reason had directed his moves. “It's time for science, not warfare, brother.”
“Ah yes, science. Your god, right Kane?”
Silver sparks shot through Kane's violet eyes and his jaw snapped shut. “
My
god? They're using scienceâmy life, our futureâto harm my family. You're fucking crazy if you think I'll allow this to continue.”
Dage sighed. “I'm sorry.”
“No. Get it out so you can think.” Kane rubbed a hand along a clean shaven jaw. Square and hard, just like their father's had been. Though his clear, intellectual mind came from their brilliant mother.
“You're the thinker.” Dage dropped into a chair, his body weary, his soul pissed.
Kane gave a slight tip of his lip in what amounted to a full grin for him. “No. You're the thinker, Talen's the planner, Conn's the soldier, and I'm the scientist.”
“And Jase?” Dage lifted an eyebrow. “What about our youngest brother?”
Kane gave a half nod. “Well, that's the question, now isn't it? Jase has more power in his little finger than the rest of us put together. Maybe the time has come to use him.” Kane cleared his throat, his gaze firm. “Maybe it's time to forgive yourself and stop protecting him.”
Dage shot to his feet. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Kane sighed. “We're at war. We need Jase to fight.”
Son of a bitch. Kane spent a little time overseas and became a damn psychologist? “Jase will fight. I took him on the raid to rescue Katie and Maggie from the Kurjan facility a couple weeks ago.” The two shifters had been kidnapped by the Kurjans as experimental subjects for the Kurjan virus. While he was too late to protect Maggie, Dage had arrived in time to prevent Katie from being infected at that time.
The room echoed with Kane's low chuckle. “Don't tell me. You positioned Jase behind Conn, the greatest soldier we've ever had? Wow. Dangerous, King.”
“I turned Jase into a killer while he was still a child.” The weight of that failure, his first as king, still ripped holes in any soul he may own. Memories of seeing his youngest brother bloodied and bruised, charging forward to kill the enemy often plagued the king's dreams. Nightmares based in a reality he'd created.
Kane shook his head. “Jase was fifteen. The Kurjans had slaughtered our parents and we were at war.” A broad hand clasped Dage's shoulder when Kane moved forward. “Letting Jase fight wounded
you
. If you'd denied him the right to avenge his parents, you would've destroyed
him
. You made the only possible decision.”
Jase's carefree attitude rarely dropped, but when it did the killer Dage had created showed its face. Cold and merciless, it shaped a teenager into a dangerous warrior. Not the fun-loving brother most of the Realm thought they knew. “Why hasn't he said anything?”
Kane shrugged. “We've been at peace for several centuries, and it's not like you've kept him from training. And he's Jase. You're his brother and you're still hurting about this. He won't push it until he needs to.”
Man, Dage had missed Kane. Talk about putting things into perspective. “Do you really think he's that powerful? I mean, the whole little finger comment?”
Kane grinned. “Yeah. But don't tell him that.”
“No way in hell.” A beep sounded in Dage's communicator and he gave Kane a nod. “The lab is ready. Keep in mind I don't want Emma anywhere near the basement level.”
“No worries. I won't tell her we've secured a werewolf if you don't want her to know.”
Dage nodded. “She can know, just not go near it. I'm assuming the Bane's Council hasn't been informed?”
“No.” Kane sighed. “We captured the werewolf outside Paris without informing the council. Not knowing is probably safer for them at this timeâno difficult moral choices to make.”
“Terent won't view the situation in such a way.”
“No. Terent will want to draw blood.” Kane grinned. “Yours or mine.”
Dage hoped his friendship with the wolf would survive the next few years. “True.” He stood. “Who captured the werewolf, Kane?”
Kane raised an eyebrow. “I did.”
Dage had already known the answer. “By yourself?”
“Sure.”
Most people believed royalty did nothing but attend parties and write laws. “How scientific is that, Kane?”
His brother grinned. “Jase isn't the only one you trained. The need to fight pumps through all our veins.”
Not a sentiment Dage could fault. “I'll go get Emma.”
“Can't wait to meet your mate, Dage.” Kane blinked twice and the scattered papers rose from the floor to settle into neat piles on the table. “I'll see you at the lab.” He gave a curt nod and strode out of the room.
Â
On the other side of the large building, Janie clutched her stuffed bear in her arms and snuggled down under her new comforter with running unicorns chasing butterflies on it. She liked the residence place but not as much as her house on the lake. Talen's house. Her new daddy. He was scared for Janie's mama, and she didn't know how to help. She counted lilies in her head until finally slipping into her favorest dream world.
Â
Trees made out of chocolate swayed in a breeze smelling of strawberries. She bit her lip. Even in her dream, her arm hurt. She'd told Mama it was okay, but the bullet burn really ached. She needed to be brave for when Zane arrived.
She sensed him a couple seconds before he jogged out of the trees, his dark hair loose around his big shoulders. He'd just turned eleven and cool muscles had started showing up in his arms. Steeling her shoulders, she instantly burst into tears.
Zane ran across the meadow in seconds, dropping to his knees next to her. “Janie Belle?” He'd given her the name the first time they met, declaring Janet Isabella too grown up for his new pal.
Sobbing, she moved into him, her head resting under his chin. He let her cry it out, patting her back, making soothing sounds like a big bear. She gave a final hiccup. “I got shot.”
Zane gently pulled back, his green eyes turning almost black. “Someone shot you?” His gaze flashed to the large bandage on her arm. “The king let you get hurt?” The bumpy muscles still holding her shook like they were chilly.
“It wasn't Uncle Dage's fault.” Janie wiped her nose on her sleeve with its pretty pink butterflies. “The bullet just burned me.”
A really cool vein popped out in Zane's neck and began to pound. He was mad.
“Don't be mad. I'm okay, Zane.” She sniffed.
The vein froze when Zane shifted his focus to the tree line. He released her and stood up. “Let him in.”
“Who?” Janie opened her eyes wide. Zane was getting better at feeling their visitor. For so long she had been the one to keep him out of her dreams. Kalin.
“You know who. He's trying to get in.” Zane put his hands on his hips. “Let him. Now.”
Her lip trembled. “You're only eleven, Zane. You're not a grown-up.” He couldn't boss her around, even if they were bestest of friends.
“You're only four. That makes me in charge.” He didn't turn back to her.
“I'll be five next week.” She lifted her chin, pleased she'd been able to remind him of her birthday without just saying it. Six years difference wasn't a whole lot.
He looked down. “Please, Janie Belle? I need to see him.”
The soft tone had her nodding, and the sweet nickname had her wanting to make him happy. “Okay. But I need help to get him out.”
Zane nodded. “Stand behind me.”
She stood, mentally opening a door on the other side of the forest, then held her breath. A teenager soon walked into the meadow. Well, kind of a teenager. He had pasty white skin, purple eyes, and black hair with pointy red tips opposite of the other Kurjans she'd dreamed about. “Wow.”
He flashed sharp teeth in a smile. “You must be Janet.” The breeze lifted his thick hair when he bowed. “I'm Kalin.”
She knew that was his name. So this is what the Kurjan people looked like up close. She wondered who cut his hair.
Zane gave a low rumble. “Your people shot at her?”
Kalin gave a heavy sigh. “A miscommunication, I believe.” Sharp green flecks swirled through his deep eyes. “I'll deal with the person who gave the orders.” His gaze traveled over Zane's form. “I've sensed you.”
“I've sensed you, too.”
The Kurjan sniffed the air, his gaze sharpening. “You know one of us will kill the other, right?”
Zane gave a short nod. “Yes.”