He looked up when he heard Lena’s voice. “Thank you, my darling. Leave us, please. I want to speak with Dane privately, all right?”
“Yes, of course,” she replied and quietly left.
Dane noticed the four Sentinels standing guard, one in each corner of the room, their heads bowed. Sentinels were a strange form of vampire. He’d never understood their nature. They lived to serve the elders who ran the Order. No fear, no emotion, no hesitation and no compromise. You could not reason with one of them. He likened them to robots.
“Welcome, Dane. Take a seat, please.” Marcus gestured.
“Why did you summon me?” Dane sat in one the chairs across from Marcus’ desk. A fire burned in a large hearth off to the left. It filled the space with a warm, soft glow. Books neatly lined every wall. Marcus loved history and craved knowledge so it was no surprise really.
“I’m glad you’re here. I was concerned about you. It’s out of character for you to miss a patrol. Is everything all right?”
“I was attending to some personal business.” Dane wondered if Ta’breyian had told Marcus about Jenny. He got the sense that he hadn’t, but he wasn’t sure.
“Have you concluded your personal business?” Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“Not yet. There’s still more that needs to be done.” He didn’t really want to get into it with Marcus too. “Is there something you needed?”
“I’ve some pressing issue to discuss with you that couldn’t be done over the phone or on the internet, I’m afraid.”
“What’s going on?”
“My sources informed me that our enemy has changed tactics. They are attempting to infiltrate our network.”
Not surprising since he’d found them hunting in his garage. “What have you learned?”
“His name is Caiaphas. He’s targeting humans who work for you.”
Why does that name sound familiar?
“Then we will need to coordinate more night patrols near and around my office building. Can you assign more Hunters to the area?” Dane shook his head in disgust. He hated these vile creatures that refused to conform even when blood was readily available to them. It sickened him.
“Of course we can but there’s more.”
“Go on, I’m listening.” There was more bad news to share, wonderful.
“They’re not feeding off their victims, they’re turning them.”
“What’s changed? Doesn’t sound like anything new to me.”
“I don’t believe you understand. They are creating more Rogues. It’s not about the kill anymore or drinking from the flesh. They’re creating an army.”
“Are you sure about this? Most victims don’t survive an encounter with one of them so I find that kind of hard to believe. Their restraint isn’t that good.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. Not all Rogues are undisciplined. Some are capable of resisting the urge to completely drain their victims. It’s my opinion that Caiaphas is having those who can resist either change victims or bring them to him and he’s doing it.”
“He’s organized.”
“Yes and Voss International is his the target.”
“Jenny…” Dane whispered and looked away.
Now it all makes sense. That’s why they attacked her in my garage.
“I was informed that a young woman was assaulted in your building a few nights ago. Is this true?” Marcus raised an eyebrow. His golden eyes glowed knowingly at Dane.
Fuck, he knows.
“Yes, I saved her life.” Ta’breyian must have said something after all.
“Who is she?”
“The girl works in one of my overseas sales divisions.” Dane shifted uncomfortably. His need to protect her roared to life. He hated being under his master’s scrutiny. Jenny’s safety was his concern and no one else’s. He wanted to get back to her. But instead he was here being harassed by Marcus.
“Go on.”
“There’s nothing else I need to share.” Dane got up and went over to the window. The rain pounded on the glass as gusty winds howled outside. There was another powerful storm brewing inside of him, threatening to escape.
“Why do I sense a lie on your lips?” Marcus scowled.
“She is my concern, not yours.” He placed his palm against the cold, unyielding glass.
“Is she the one?”
“Let it be, Marcus.” He wasn’t in the mood to fight but fight he would if Marcus continued to push.
“I’m not going to ask again.”
“You may ask, but if anyone goes near her, I swear they will lose both life and limb.” Dane gave Marcus a warning glare. He had an unrealistic fear that his own coven might decide Jenny was a liability they could not risk. He’d heard of it before with other covens.
“Is she the one?” Marcus slammed his fist on the desk.
“Yes! The girl is my blooded mate!”
Marcus got up and walked over to the fire. He stared at the flames dancing about. “Did you sleep with her?”
“Yes.” Dane watched the rain fall. There was no point in lying. Marcus wasn’t stupid.
“Have you bitten her?” Marcus glanced over at him.
“I’ve already told Ta’breyian I have no intention of making her what I am. She’s still human.” How many times was he going to have to spell it out? He’d taken a vow.
“And you haven’t revealed what you are?”
“You know I haven’t. What’s the point? It would scare the hell out of her.” That wouldn’t be an easy conversation. She’d think he was certifiable if he told her he was a vampire. The situation was impossible, he knew that.
“You can’t protect her if you remain in contact. She’ll eventually die either by your hand or theirs. I do not envy your position, Dane. I count myself fortunate that Lena was already a vampire when she crossed my path. However, as long as the girl remains human, her life is in danger and you could lose her,” he warned.
“My job is to protect humans. I do it every night. I’ll keep her safe.”
“I know you take your vows seriously. Human life is sacred to all of us who belong to the Order. None of us asked for this life. We protect the innocent to make up for what has been taken from us. But this situation is different.”
“How is it different? She’s human. What you’re suggesting sounds kind of hypocritical if you ask me.” He scowled bitterly. “We preserve life, unless it’s our mate, then it’s okay to take it?”
“There are some exceptions that must be made. This is one of them.”
“I’m not willing to kill her. It’s wrong.” Dane ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn’t going to entertain it.
“Eventually, your ability to refrain will falter.”
“Then I’ll keep my distance if I have to.” He could do that, right? That’s how he guarded most humans. They never knew he was there.
“You should leave New York for a while. It’s the only way to ensure she will be safe from you, if keeping her human is the plan. I will assign Ta’breyian to watch over her at night until the danger passes. He has no attachment to her so it will be easier for him to guard her without incident.”
Dane’s possessive side screamed to life. He did not want another male anywhere near her. She belonged to him. “I will watch her at night. Send Ta’breyian to patrol my place of business to ensure the safety of the human employees.”
“This will not end well for you if she dies.”
“It still doesn’t change my position.”
“Then you fool yourself.”
“I’m a lot stronger than you give me credit. Help me find Caiaphas. If we take down the one organizing the Rogues, it will be easier to keep them under control.”
“If Caiaphas discovers your secret, he’ll send Rogues after her. My sources indicate he has a vendetta against you.”
“What Rogue doesn’t have a vendetta against us? We’re Hunters.”
“You killed his mate so for him it’s personal.”
“I’ve killed many Rogues. If his mate attacked a human on my watch, then I probably turned her to ash. So what?”
“You have something to lose when before you didn’t.”
“I must go.” Marcus was right. Before he met Jenny, he had nothing lose.
“I will send Ta’breyian to guard your building at night, and dispatch more Hunters to the area so that you can focus on protecting your mate.”
Dane nodded as he left. “If he learns I’ve found my mate. What have I done?” he snarled as he stepped out into the awaiting storm.
* * * * *
Jenny yawned as her eyes fluttered open. It was still dark outside. She glanced at the clock and groaned.
It’s time to get up.
She frowned at the empty space next to her.
What, he can’t say goodbye? Asshole. What did you expect, Jen, when you sleep with a guy you hardly know?
Her stomach clenched.
Don’t go there.
Intellectually she knew part of her insecurities stemmed mainly from her childhood. Not having a proper role model left her feeling inadequate, especially around men, especially when she got the brush-off.
They didn’t know each other that well so why did she feel so drawn to guy? Damn, she was really smitten.
Men are impossible.
She climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. A toothbrush, clean clothes and a note waited for her. She picked up the folded paper. What would it say? She opened it.
Good morning, Jenny.
Sorry I had to leave so early. You were sleeping peacefully and I didn’t want to wake you. My driver will drop you off at the office. We will talk soon.
Dane
That’s it? That’s all you have to say, Mr. Voss?
She crumpled it up and threw it in the trash, which was just how she felt.
I shouldn’t have come over.
She frowned as she climbed in the shower to wash. Hot tears burned her eyes.
After showering, she put back on the dress she had worn. She wasn’t about to take any more from this guy. She left, opting to take a cab home instead of waiting for Dane’s driver.
She arrived back at her apartment about a half hour later and quickly changed her clothes. How could he brush her off like this? Men were such assholes. Most had commitment issues, especially good-looking playboy millionaires who could have any female they wanted. The sadness quickly switched to anger.
I need to find another job and learn from this experience. Never mix business with pleasure.
She left for work and got to the office right before eight o’clock. Her desk was stacked high with work. She had started going through the piles when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. Shit, it was Dane. Her heart skipped a beat.
I’m not answering it.
She let the call roll over to her voicemail.
What did you share last night…sex? Damn it, Jenny, you get attached way too easily.
She faced her computer and began returning emails. There were dozens of messages from clients whom she needed to respond to. She decided to forget about her problems for now and focus on the work in front of her.
The day moved by swiftly between meetings, phone calls and powering through the stack of work on her desk. When she finally noticed the clock, the sun had completely faded.
I’m not working late tonight.
She sighed miserably.
She frowned as memories of last night resurfaced to haunt her. The phone rang again, jolting her back to reality. She looked at the screen.
It was Dane again. She chewed on her bottom lip, debating whether to answer it.
I’m going to get hurt if I keep seeing this guy so why prolong the inevitable?
She shook her head and quickly left the office before she changed her mind. It wasn’t nice of her to ignore him. Technically, he did leave her a note. But his hot-and-cold response to her last night indicated he wasn’t ready to have a relationship with anyone and quite frankly neither was she. It was easier to walk away now before she became emotionally attached to him. She was already pretty smitten.
She arrived home to an empty apartment and closed the door behind her. She twisted the lock into place. Loneliness swept over her. She missed Dane. Maybe she should have spoken to him.
“Damn it,” she said. Why didn’t she ever believe she was good enough to really be loved by someone?
She set her keys on the dresser and changed out of her work clothes, removed her bra and panties and put on a comfortable pair of sweats and a tank top. She took a book off her nightstand and went into the kitchen to fix something to eat. It was going to be one of those nights.
Dane slammed the phone down.
Why doesn’t she answer my calls?
He paced his office like a caged animal. Leaving this morning without saying goodbye to her in person had probably been a bad idea but at the time it had been necessary. He’d had to go, and explaining where wasn’t an option. Besides, crawling back in bed with her would have been too difficult under the circumstances.
She was mad at him, that was obvious. It was probably best to let her believe it was a one-night stand. He hated the idea but how else could he protect her?
I’ll look up her address.
With any luck, the Rogues hadn’t discovered his secret.
He powered on his laptop and searched for the email containing some of Jenny’s personal information that human resources had sent him.
Dane traced to the area where Jenny’s apartment was on the Upper East Side. He located the building where she lived and scaled the side of the structure until he reached the tenth floor. When he found her balcony, he jumped over the rail and peered inside the tiny one-bedroom apartment and spotted her sitting at a table.
He couldn’t help but notice how small and fragile she appeared. Her hair was back in a ponytail instead of loose how he liked it. And she wore a pair of sweats and a white tank top with no bra, revealing the subtle outline of her breasts. His breathing increased and a savage inner fire started to burn again. God, she turned him on. A rumble of need vibrated his chest and it took great willpower to hold back.
She put her hands over her eyes.
Wait, is she crying?
He noticed tears spilling down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and got up to grab a tissue.
Nice, now I really feel like an ass for not saying goodbye.
Her unhappiness affected him, causing an inner torment to brew. He ran his palms down his face, still fighting the urge to go to her. He wanted to take away her sadness, not cause it. But what choice did he have? Letting her be a part of his world was too dangerous.
Sharing sex with her last night was a mistake. It had obviously upset her, which hadn’t been his intent.
Bloody perfect…
He grimaced. There was no way to fix the quandary he’d created. At least she’d get over him before being sucked in too deep.
Marcus’ words stung him as he watched her through the glass. She deserved better. He closed his eyes and sat back on his haunches as a wave of loneliness swept over him. It was going to be a long night with no relief in sight. Hopefully, his concern for her safety would be for nothing and she could go back to her life without any more interference from him.
He sighed heavily. Letting go was going to be painful but necessary. He hated the fact that he wasn’t human. If he were, things might’ve been different between them. Maybe they’d have married and started a family. He’d have liked that, which surprised him, considering he’d never entertained such a notion when he was human.
It’s nothing more than a pipe dream, lad. She was born in this century, and you in another. Your paths never would’ve been destined to cross.
“It’s nothing more than a bunch of wishful thinking,” he whispered as he rose to his feet.
Dane glanced over the railing of the balcony, at the street below. There didn’t seem to be any activity going on near her apartment building. He decided it was wise to trace around the area, check the stairwells and the roof to make sure.
* * * * *
Jenny tried to keep her mind busy by reading. She had hoped if she focused on other things, her thoughts wouldn’t wander back to Dane.
Maybe I should’ve taken his call. What if he wanted to apologize?
He’d called twice. That had to mean something, right?
Indecision was a bitch. But it was too late to regret her actions. She got up from the kitchen table. Reading wasn’t helping. She couldn’t focus on anything.
She went over to the balcony and stared out the window. New York City was such a big place for a small-town girl like her. She touched the glass, feeling lost here. Her best friend was back living in California and she was in this big city all alone with no one to confide in. She would’ve called Marley but her friend was vacationing in Europe with family and wouldn’t be back for at least another week.
This sucks, I need her advice.
She rested her forehead against the cool glass.
I know what she’d probably say. Let him go. He’s out of your league, babe. And she’d be right.
She exhaled.
The doorbell rang, startling her.
Huh—wonder who that could be at this hour?
She walked to the door and peeked into the peephole. A tall, slender female with messy brown hair, pallid skin and dressed in black fatigues was standing outside her door. It was hard to see her profile because she didn’t face the peephole, which struck Jenny as kind of odd. It appeared as if she was doing it on purpose to avoid being recognized.
“May, may I help you?” she asked, wondering if maybe the woman might be one of her neighbors.
“Uh, hi—I’m Carole. I live a few doors down from you. I got locked out of my place accidently and I don’t have a spare key. The apartment manager’s office is closed for the night and I need to call my husband at work so he can let me back in. Can I use your phone?” the woman asked.
Jenny noticed her scan both directions. A warning voice whispered in her head,
Don’t let her in.
“Sorry, I can’t. But if you give me his name and number, I’ll call him for you.”
The woman’s expression changed as she faced the peephole and a low, threatening hiss escaped her lips, revealing a set of sharp fangs.
Holy shit!
Jenny stumbled back. New Yorkers were a strange lot and this one was the icing on the cake.
“Let me in or I’ll take this door off the hinges!” the woman snarled, rattling the knob.
“I’m calling the police!” Jenny said, hoping it would make the crazy bitch go away.
“Do you really think I care?” The knob started to twist violently.
What should I do?
Her fingers trembled as she quickly reached for the chain lock to slide it into place. She was about to run for the phone when the door burst off the frame, knocking her to the ground from the impact. The woman lunged into the room and stood over her with a menacing glare.
“You’re quite smart for a human. I had hoped to gain entrance without drawing attention, but no matter, this will be over quickly. You’re coming with me.” She reached for Jenny with a wicked grin.
“W-what are you going to do to me?” Jenny gasped, scrambling out of the way.
“My master is going to make you a soldier in this war. Mm…you smell good. Maybe I’ll have a taste first!” The woman snapped her teeth, going for Jenny’s throat.
She screamed, covering her eyes. A loud crash and an ear-piercing roar echoed through the apartment. Jenny peeked through the slits of her fingers and saw Dane towering over her. He had the scary woman by the throat several inches off the ground. The woman snapped her teeth, snarling and growling at him.
What the hell is going on here?
“You dare go after my female?” he roared with fury, shaking her like a rag doll.
“Anyone is fair game, including your precious female. You can’t watch over her indefinitely and obviously you didn’t have the balls to change her.” The woman laughed.
Dane twisted her neck with a deafening snap and stabbed something into her heart. Jenny watched in stunned horror as she disintegrated.
That was a vampire. This can’t be happening, not real, not real.
He whirled around. “Are you all right?”
“Uh, no, not at the moment.” She blanched.
“Come, I need to get you out of here before more come.”
“Look out, there’s another one behind you!” She screamed as a black-clad figure stepped into the room. He was at least as tall as Dane and his dark features were set in a vicious grimace that made Jenny’s blood run cold. He hissed and then charged.
Dane threw a punch, sending the attacker sailing across the room. He crashed into the wall, shattering the plaster. A second one appeared in the doorway as the other brute quickly recovered and rose to his feet. Dane snapped viciously at the two vampires.
Are my eyes playing tricks on me?
she thought. But what else could they be?
Dane didn’t seem intimidated by their aggression. It wasn’t surprising. He was a big guy and probably more than capable of handling himself in a fight. But these two bastards weren’t small either. She scooted back into the corner, bracing herself in the midst of this terrifying reality.
She watched as Dane threw two silver objects at the charging vampires before they got close to him. The objects embedded in their chests and they both burst into flames before disintegrating into piles of ash. In the blink of an eye, Dane scooped her up in his arms before she could protest.
“Hold on tight to me,” he shouted.
“Were my eyes playing tricks on me or were those really vampires?”
“Your eyes weren’t deceived. We must go now before more of them show up!”
Shit, they’re really real.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to process it all when the world around her spun out of focus.
“Whoa…” Dizziness made her head spin like a top, causing her anxiety to rise to a whole new level. The next thing she knew they were inside his penthouse. He set her on his bed and she scrambled away from him, terrified.
“What are you? H-how did you do that?” Panic flickered in her expression.
“It’s okay, you’re safe now.” He reached for her to try to soothe her fears.
“Don’t touch me.” She flinched away from his touch.
“I know you must be terrified. I’m sorry.” Fuck, he detested not being strong enough before to walk away.
“That’s an understatement. Boy, I can sure pick them,” she muttered.
Guilt wasn’t an emotion Dane was used to experiencing but he’d had a bellyful of it recently. How was he going to explain to her that she’d become a target by a group of bloodthirsty vampires because of him? Yeah, that was going to go over really well. What a master fucking mess he’d made of things.
“I didn’t mean to involve you in this nightmare.”
“I’m assuming this is what you meant the other night when you said your life is complicated?”
“Correct.” He nodded with a scowl.
“But why were those things after me?” Jenny’s panic was palpable and the knowledge that he’d placed her in this predicament ramped up his temper even more.
Dane blew out an unsteady breath, choosing his next words carefully. “The other night in the parking garage, you weren’t attacked by a mugger—it was a vampire like the ones you saw in your apartment. Luckily I happened to be in the vicinity and killed the son of a bitch before he bit you.” Dane looked away.
Suddenly images of him pinning her against the bed and driving into her tight heat plagued his mind. He’d heard sex and violence in his kind went hand-in-hand with their nature. He was a predator just like them—a dangerous vampire. He kept his eyes diverted. Damn it, he had to get his head on straight.
“You mean to tell me there are more of those things running around?” Her eyes went wide.
He stiffened. “Yes.”
“I thought maybe those creeps were on drugs and I was seeing things. Never would I have believed that the things that go bump in the night are real.”
“Believe me, I wish it were not so. I should’ve swept through the garage that night to make sure I got them all before bringing you back to my place. One must have seen me take you. Now instead of it being a close call with one of them, they’re hunting you because of me.” There, it was out and now she knew the ugly truth.
“This is crazy. Vampires aren’t supposed to exist in real life.” She blinked as if she didn’t understand.
“You’re wrong, they do exist and I hunt the bad ones.”
“You mean like a vampire slayer or something?” She shrank back.
“I kill the ones who feed on the living.”
“I-I need to get out of here.” A tiny squeak came from her.
“And where do you plan to go?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m not sure—anywhere but this place. How did you transport me here like that?” She scanned the room, probably searching for the nearest exit.
“It’s called tracing. Most of us are capable of doing it.” He watched her expression carefully. Would she pass out in fear or run screaming from the room when she discovered his true nature? Both scenarios were likely to occur.
“What are you, some sort of alien being?”
“I’m not an alien.” He gave a bitter laugh.
I wish. It’d definitely be easier.
“Then what—tell me,” she demanded.
“I’m what they are, a vampire.”
“You’re one of them?”
“Not even close,” he snorted. “I’m nothing like those bastards, so stop freaking out. I won’t harm you.”