Veso

  She turned her head and he watched her face. Shock was easy to read as she got a glimpse of her hand. “It’s gone!”

  He let go of her wrist. “I told you. My blood heals. Remember your cut finger? It was a small injury and you’d been injected by that master with my blood.” He sniffed. “I don’t smell any other cuts on you. Do you have any? I’m serious about infection. You’re a species prone to getting ill.”

  “I’m good.” She inched over on the rock, almost falling off.

  “Don’t fear me, Glenda.” It bothered him that she did.

  Her gaze held his. “Could your blood cure cancer and stuff?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve never tried that. It’s possible.”

  “You really could save so many lives if you donated blood to humans.”

  His anger stirred and it reminded him why he didn’t like her species. “And we would become the cows. Or more like rats. Hunted, trapped, and used to death. They wouldn’t care how many of us died to save their own. We’d become extinct. Your kind kills countless animals in laboratories and for what? So your perfume doesn’t give you a rash? So you can see if the drugs you make will kill you? You cause yourselves harm and innocent creatures pay the consequences.”

  He stood, storming away.

  Chapter Seven

  Glen kept replaying his words in her head. Veso had a point. If anyone found out about his ability to heal with his blood, she doubted many people would care if he were willing to donate or not. They’d want to capture him and just take it. She watched him hide the rope and the other supplies they’d brought in bushes around the area, placing them out of sight.

  “What are you doing?”

  He didn’t look her way. “What does it look like?”

  It was a dumb question but she just wanted him to talk to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply your life meant less than others. It just came as a surprise and that’s the first thing my mind went to.”

  He faced her. “There are billions of humans on this planet and so few of us. We keep our numbers low to hide our existence. Our survival is based on secrecy to prevent your kind from wiping us out.”

  She rose to her feet and tried to hide the grimace when her ass and legs protested. “I said I’m sorry. This is all new to me. I’m going to blurt things out before I can think it all through.”

  Veso inclined his head. “I understand.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It doesn’t make it any less annoying.”

  She actually smiled. “Probably not. I babysat three kids last summer for a cousin of mine and took them to the zoo. It amazed me what lame things they asked but they were all between the ages of four and seven. He’s a widow and works too much to take them to too many places. I guess I’m like a child to you. Why is that monkey in the tree and why do they put those tigers behind glass so we can’t pet them? Why? Why? Why? That was one word I really came to hate by lunchtime.”

  He grinned.

  “I’m just so curious,” she admitted.

  “I’ll try to be more tolerant of your questions.”

  “And the stupid shit I blurt out?”

  “That too. If it makes you feel any better, most deadly diseases that kill humans are something that could only be cured if a Vampire turned them into one.”

  She opened her mouth, wanting to know why, but then didn’t speak.

  He seemed to guess her thoughts. “A small amount of blood can cure injuries that aren’t too severe. Cancer mutates cells, from what I understand, as well as a lot of other human diseases that kill. Genetics also play a big part in most diseases.” He stepped closer. “Humans would have to be completely changed over to combat something like that. Think of a world full of Vampires. They have laws so they don’t turn even their own friends and families. If they all did, the Vampires would hunt humans to extinction just to survive. It would be the end of your world, and eventually theirs, since once the blood was gone, they’d eventually die out from starvation.”

  She understood what he was trying to say. “They’d kill all the people, then feed off the animals, until nothing would be left except bugs. Those would be hard to drink from.”

  He nodded. “That’s a worst-case scenario. Think of the issues from using their blood to heal. Some would want to cure dying children with Vampire blood. Imagine being trapped in the body of a four-year-old forever. I’ve heard stories of ones like that, and all of them went massively insane. They had to be hunted and killed. They were cold-blooded killers without remorse. They mature in their minds but not in the flesh, denied adult needs because they’re trapped in the bodies of small children. It depraves them until only utter madness remains.”

  She shivered, horror movies flashing through her head that she’d seen involving child monsters.

  “You’ve had to deal with Vamps while you were captured. Most lose any sense of humanity when they’re turned. It’s in the Vampire nature, so they can feed without remorse, but they’re smart enough to wish to survive. That means following basic rules to hide what they are from your kind. Ones who don’t are considered rogue and killed to protect the others. You believe your world is harsh now? Imagine what it would be like if Vampires ruled.”

  “I get it.”

  He turned away, staring at the setting sun. “We need to lie down soon. Go to the bathroom again if you must. You won’t be moving around after it’s dark. Your heat signature will glow to Vampire sight.”

  She was glad she’d already emptied her bladder. “I’m good.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He walked off into the trees.

  Glen approached the grave-like hole he’d dug. It was lined well with the tarp so they wouldn’t be lying on dirt. She swallowed hard, not prepared yet to climb in. Veso returned fast and stopped next to her. She turned her head and peered up at him.

  “Don’t worry. You’re tired and will sleep. I’ll keep guard.”

  “Do you really think we’ll be safe?”

  “We didn’t travel as far as I’d wished, but we’re a long way from the road. They’ll have to really work for it if we’re found.”

  That didn’t ease her worry much. “I’ll help you down. Try not to tear the tarp. We’re going to need it to stay dry if the weather changes. It’s that time of year, when rainstorms hit. We won’t see one until it’s almost upon us with these mountain ranges.”

  “My socks.” She turned her head, staring at the rock where she’d left them.

  “I’ll get them. Go in first.”

  Her gripped her by her hips, lowering her with ease. He released her as soon as she stood on the tarp then returned to the rock. He collected the pairs of socks she’d removed and brought them back, dropping them into the hole.

  She backed up, expecting him to climb in with her, but he moved away again, returning with the packaged blanket. He hopped into the hole he’d dug and opened the bag. “I won’t need this but you might.”

  She accepted the blanket, looking down at the tarp. “I wish we had a sleeping bag with padding.”

  “It’s the best we can do for now.”

  It would make for a hard, uncomfortable bed. She lay down on her side, shoving her back against the tarp-covered wall he’d dug. “This won’t collapse onto us, will it?”

  “I’ll dig us out if it does. Don’t panic by screaming. Sound carries.”

  “You were supposed to comfort me by just saying no.”

  He chuckled as he stretched out next to her. It was a tight fit and he twisted onto his side to face her. That helped, putting a few inches of space between them. “I’ll remember that.”

  It surprised her when he helped her unfold the blanket and covered her with it. She wasn’t cold yet but the sun was going down. “We’ll be trapped if Vampires just suddenly appear above this hole. You know that, right?”

  “I have good hearing and sense of smell. They won’t see our heat signatures unless they’re right on top of us. I’ll know they’re there before they find u
s.”

  “Then what?”

  “You stay here and don’t move. I’ll fight and toss them off the edge of the ravine.”

  “That’s not much of a plan.”

  He shrugged. “I’d have given you the gun but you said you’ve never fired one before. You’d probably end up shooting yourself or me.”

  “Har-har. Very funny.”

  He arched his eyebrows. “I wasn’t kidding.”

  “Wow, okay.”

  “I’ll train you how to use one after we’re safe.”

  “How come you aren’t using it? You left it up there.”

  “Like I said, sound carries. It would only draw the attention of more of them. Since I’ll be the only one fighting, quiet is better.”

  She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. His offer to teach her how to shoot implied he’d see her again once they found help. Glen highly doubted it.

  Veso lifted his arm and used his biceps as a pillow. “Rest. It’s been a long day and I know you’re tired. You did well. I was impressed.”

  “Thank you.”

  She closed her eyes and tried to get comfortable. It wasn’t possible. The tarp was poor protection against the unforgiving dirt under her body. She mimicked what Veso had done and used her arm for a pillow. It helped slightly.

  Time passed and she opened her eyes. It was much dimmer. Veso’s face was close to hers and he’d closed his eyes. He really was a handsome man. She had to admit that. He breathed slow and steady, seeming to have already fallen asleep.

  It figures. Men. She turned her head a little, staring up at the sky. The deep blue darkened until the stars came out. They were beautiful, but it also meant the Vampires were somewhere out there, looking for her and Veso. She shivered but it had nothing to do with the cold.

  “Easy,” Veso softly murmured.

  She peered at his face but couldn’t make out his features now that night had completely fallen. It made her startle when one of his hands curled around her waist and he gave her a gentle squeeze.

  “I won’t let anything hurt you. Sleep, Glenda. Morning will come soon enough and we have to travel a good distance.”

  She closed her eyes and liked the weight of his hand on her. It made her feel less alone. Veso had taken out Vlad before she’d even realized what was happening and he’d dealt with those creepers they’d come across with ease. The big guy was a badass, and he’d promised to keep her safe.

  Glen wondered how long it would take for them to reach where he wanted them to go. The idea of spending another long day walking didn’t appeal to her. It beat being recaptured though.

  Veso knew the moment Glenda drifted to sleep. He adjusted the blanket over her a little tighter and breathed through his nose, his senses on alert. He didn’t smell anything alarming yet but the Vamps had to be hunting for them. He just wasn’t certain how many of them there would be and if they’d waste time searching the human dwellings first.

  The master Vamp would probably assume Veso had dumped Glenda off at the first opportunity and she’d head for something familiar, sticking to the roads. It wouldn’t take them long to realize the truth. There weren’t that many buildings in the vicinity.

  Regret swamped him. He should have shifted forms and had Glenda ride his back to put them farther away from the search area. Instead he’d thought of her comfort, both physically and emotionally. He would hate for her to see him in another form and become absolutely terrified. Her mouthy comments might annoy at times but it would be worse if she became mute, reeking of pure fear.

  His chances of getting back to his territory without another confrontation with the nest would be much better if he left Glenda behind. He stared at her sleeping features and that strong urge to protect her remained. She’d be helpless and quickly recaptured. He wouldn’t allow that to happen.

  He debated whether he should leave Glenda at least for a little while and seek out the Vampires. However many there might be, they’d have to spread out to search for the two of them if they wanted to be effective. It would leave the Vamps at a disadvantage, and he could attack them in smaller numbers, cut them down. The hunters would become the hunted.

  Glenda made a soft noise in her sleep and he instantly discarded the idea. What if she had a nightmare and screamed? Humans tended to do that. The sound would carry and draw the Vampires right to her. She’d be alone.

  He tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her closer, until she was pressed along the front of his body.

  He inhaled her scent and his dick responded by hardening. Lust rolled through him and he stopped breathing through his nose. Having sex with the sun down and while they were vulnerable would be stupid. That was one thing Veso wasn’t. He’d be damned if a bunch of bloodsuckers tagged him with their drugs because he was otherwise occupied and distracted.

  Veso moved his arm, sliding his hand from her waist, up her back, to play with strands of Glenda’s curly hair. His body had been fooled into believing she was his mate. The tender emotions surging through him had to be a result of the blood exchange forced on them. They might fade, he hoped they would, because he had no idea what he’d do if they didn’t.

  His clan would never accept her. Decker might have left with his most trusted enforcers but that didn’t mean things had changed. At some point Decker would return, and he’d left enough of his devoted elders and clan members behind to assure someone would attempt to kill any human in their midst. They only tolerated Kira because she was at least in part VampLycan, and her father had some kind of leverage against Decker.

  The desire to brush his mouth over Glenda’s lips had him pulling back, pressing his spine tight against the side of the hole he’d dug. It would be a mistake to seduce her. She’d claimed they would be a train wreck. He hadn’t enjoyed the comparison but he’d understood why she made it. They were from two different worlds and species. He wouldn’t fit into her life and no one would accept her into his.

  He thought of his father next and cringed, imagining his reaction if he introduced Glenda as his mate. Memories of his childhood still filled him with bitterness. He hadn’t understood why his parents had argued so much and lived apart. Mates were supposed to be close and love each other. His tenth birthday had killed his youthful dreams of being part of a happy family. That’s when his mother had told him the truth.

  No. He needed to resist Glenda and avoid making the same mistake his father had. She would never purposely trap him, but the result would be the same if she got pregnant. He snarled, still enraged by his memories.

  Glenda startled. He saw her eyes open and fear creased her features.

  “It’s fine. Sorry,” he whispered.

  “Vampires?” She breathed the word.

  “No. I was just thinking of something unpleasant.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” It felt bad to lie to her. Mates were supposed to always be honest with each other.

  It surprised him when she opened her hand on his chest and lightly stroked him through the ill-fitting shirt he wore. “Bad dream?”

  He hesitated, listening. The woods had settled and he could hear small animals moving around. They wouldn’t be if they picked up the scent of a Vampire. Their instincts would tell them they were in danger.

  “Veso? Everyone has them. I do all the time.”

  “I was thinking about my parents,” he admitted.

  “You miss them?”

  “It’s just my father now in my life. My mother died.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She stroked him a little more firmly.

  “I’m not.”

  Her hand stilled.

  He could just imagine her bad thoughts about him for saying that. He didn’t like her thinking the worst of him. “She lost her true mate when she was a youth, before they matured. Her name was Parma and she was raised in the clan I was born to.” He swallowed, unsure why he was sharing the story with her, but he wanted her to understand.

  “She pursued my father fro
m another clan. He said she was beautiful. She was very aggressive about it and he was flattered.” The words got easier to say. “She seduced him.” His anger probably sounded in his voice but he kept his tone soft. “My kind doesn’t conceive unless they’re mated, but my mother was mostly Lycan. You wouldn’t understand this, being human, but Lycan’s can control their bodies and their ovulation cycles. My mother did that, and tricked my father into getting her pregnant.”

  “Why?”

  “Decker, he was her leader, asked all clan women to breed strong sons to help strengthen his position. More fighters assures a clan’s survival. She didn’t actually want a mate, since she’d lost her true one, and none of the men in her clan trusted her with their seed.” Bitterness sounded in his voice but he didn’t hide it. “They must have known how cold and calculating she really was. They’d seen her grow up. She hid her scent from my father by lighting scented candles and was naked in his bathtub when he got off shift. She’d let herself into his home. He couldn’t pick up that she was ovulating.”

  He closed his eyes, unable to withstand seeing pity in Glenda’s face, if that was her reaction. “She got what she wanted from my father and ended up pregnant. I was born to gain favor with her beloved leader.

  “My father learned of my existence because she grew tired of tending to a baby she’d never really wanted. She sent him a message that she needed help raising me. He begged her to mate him. He has honor. She refused. He also wasn’t allowed to take me back to his clan, since I belonged to hers already. She’d sworn my life to Decker. My father gave up his status with his clan to live as her full-time babysitter. Decker allowed him to stay but he was never given any status in the clan until after her death. Even then, the clan leader never fully trusted my father.”

  She was silent for a while. He figured she was horrified.

  “He must love you a lot.”

  Her whispered words soothed him a little and he opened his eyes. Glenda stared at his chest blindly, probably unable to see anything. “Yes. He gave up everything to raise me. We lived in a hut behind her home at first, until he built a cabin. He feared I’d freeze to death in the winter without a fireplace to keep us warm. He also had to leave me alone sometimes to hunt for food. She didn’t want me in her house and my father didn’t trust any of the clan with me.”