His eyes went to Diego and then back to her. “What does that mean?”
“It means I know him in ways you can’t comprehend. I am safe with him. Please leave me here tonight. I will explain more tomorrow.”
He barely let her finish her final word, discarding the idea. “Forget it, Marcella. The more you talk, the more concerned I get.”
She didn’t know how to get him to understand. “David, if you don’t leave…”
“What?” David challenged. His voice lifted. “He’ll beat the crap out of me?”
“David—”
He looked at Diego. “Let him try.”
Chapter Six
Diego considered David a long moment. There was no doubt this man wanted his woman. Yet he also cared for her. He reached for his mind, pushing aside his jealousy with effort. And he found what he wanted. Honor. Trust. A willingness to die for Marcella. Things he had no option but to respect. The problem was he was also creating doubt in her. Something he didn’t like nor could he afford. This coupled with his desire to please his mate played heavily in his soul. An emotional response that conflicted with the wilder, darker response that came more naturally. The one that wanted to beat the shit out of anyone who thought of Marcella in a physical way.
Yet he knew she was his. And with that knowledge he reached for his human side and shoved down the possessive need to lash out. He walked towards David and Marcella started towards him. Standing in front of him, her small frame meant to still him, her hands went to his chest.
“Please don’t,” she said hoarsely.
He reached for her and eased her against his body. David started forward, and Diego held up a staying hand and then he reached for his mind. He had the ability to influence human thought though it was a new skill he’d only recently allowed himself to utilize.
“Stop,” Diego said firmly, a mental push behind the word. “I have something to show you.”
David stilled, his eyes narrowing. Diego held his gaze, making sure he had accepted the command. GTECHS could present mental commands but some responded better than others. And eye contact was necessary while issuing the order. It was one of the skills used by the Arions to lure humans into their dangerous game of world domination. A mind push. A promise of power, wealth and physical perfection. But he’d been in their lair. He knew the ultimate goal. Those who didn’t follow would be killed. The Arions planned to control humanity and then beyond.
Diego’s hand went to Marcella’s hair, and he lifted it, exposing her neck. David’s eyes went wide. “What the hell is that?”
“What is what?” Marcella asked, reaching for her neck.
“My mark, Marcella. I’m making sure he knows you belong to me.”
Her eyes locked with his. “Diego, I don’t—”
“What?” David said. “Your mark? What in God’s name is going on?”
“I want to see,” Marcella said and then shrugged out of his hold. He released her immediately. Of course, she wanted to see.
And she should. As she scurried to the bathroom, Diego and David stood eye to eye. “She is my woman.”
“Only if she chooses to be.”
“She already has.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” David said. “No.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “What are you and what do you want with Marcella?”
“One of the good guys. There’s a silent war raging. Man against beast. I’m one of the men who plan to save humanity. How about you?”
“Save humanity,” he said, repeating the words. “And you’re one of the good guys.” He sounded like that was hard to believe. “If that’s true, who are you fighting?”
“A group of soldiers called Arions. They are men enhanced with DNA samples from Area 51. Super Soldiers injected with alien DNA made to be stronger and more powerful than anything you could ever imagine. And some of them feel they are now the perfect race. The humans that don’t follow will be condemned to die.”
David laughed. “You don’t really expect me to buy this, do you?”
“Believe what you want, but it won’t change the facts.”
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, David stood there a long moment. “Why should I believe you?”
“You know I’m different. I was injected as well, but like many others I chose to stay loyal to what I am to the core…human. I have become a Guardian of humanity rather than a destroyer. But I can’t change what I am. I’m changed. And Marcella is my mate.”
“What does Marcella have to do with you or any of this?”
“Only certain genetic lines are compatible with our males. Why that is we don’t know. And even then, the compatible women only match one man. Again, we don’t know why.” He paused and then added, “Yet. We are trying to figure it out. But as it stands, there is only one woman who is my exact match. And that woman is Marcella.”
David’s face had taken on a shallow, ghostly look despite the warm brown of his skin tone. “And she accepts this as truth?”
Diego knew Marcella stood by the doorway to the bathroom and that she listened. And now seemed as good a time as any to explain the realities of their situation. “I am a doctor who has studied the new race with great depth. Mates know each other instantly. The connection is automatic. This was a surprise to me as well. I came here not to claim Marcella as my woman but to ask for her help. I had no idea she was my destiny.”
David looked towards Marcella. Diego didn’t. He felt what she did. She understood. As he had spoken she had reached in his mind and compared his words to the images he offered.
“So that mark on her neck means exactly what? Explain.”
Diego smiled. “It matches the one on mine. It links us together. We are one.”
They stood there in silence, David’s eyes turbulent as he digested and slowly accepted. “Show me,” Marcella said, breaking the silence.
* * * * *
A few moments later, Marcella found herself back to the bathroom mirror as Diego placed a small mirror in her hand while David stood in the doorway looking like he was chewing aspirin. Her stomach fluttered as she tried to shove her hair aside. Diego reached forward and helped her. He was so close and smelled so alluring and perfect. And knowing the implications of what she was being shown only seemed to make his allure more powerful. She wanted him. Again. It was crazy but so real and alive with heat she hardly knew how to reel it in. Her teeth found her bottom lip as she blinked and tried to focus.
Diego’s fingers caressed her neck and then his eyes went to hers. She focused on what she saw in the mirror. A star. It was etched in her skin, bigger than a quarter. More like two. And though she had limited vision, the perfection of every corner seemed near impossible. It wasn’t a human design.
Suddenly, David moved, stepping closer and leaning towards her. “It’s a tattoo, Marcella. It has to be.” He touched it and looked at Diego. “Did you drug her?” Then to Marcella, “Do you remember falling asleep at any point this evening?”
Diego was on edge, and Marcella knew it. David was way too close to him and far too loaded with attitude. He had no idea how much he was pushing his luck. And worse, he was pushing her. Why couldn’t he trust her? He knew damn well she was unique. For her to have strange things happen wasn’t unusual.
She set the mirror down and moved her head so Diego would drop her hair. “Oh, good grief, David. Don’t be so accusing.”
He stared at her with disbelief in his eyes. His gaze lifted and locked with Diego’s. “You believe him over me?” Then to Diego, “What did you do to her?”
Marcella lifted her hand and grabbed Diego’s wrist, feeling the anger inside him like a crossfire she’d been caught in. Don’t.
Diego’s face didn’t change, but he spoke to her with irritation evident in his voice. I’m losing patience with him.
She focused on David. “I need you to trust me, David. I’m not in danger.” She paused. “At least not from Diego.”
David’s chest rose and fell w
ith heavy breaths. His eyes moved from Diego to Marcella. “You choose this path?”
“Path?” she asked, not certain what he meant.
His voice was low but intense. “I cannot control what happens to you if you turn your back on my protection.”
Diego answered. “Her choice was made long ago. I am her destiny. And I am her protector.”
David’s gaze stayed on Marcella. “Decide, Marcella.”
“Don’t do this—”
He took a step backwards. “You’re being foolish. Think about what this means. I will be close.” A pause. “For now. Once you leave this hotel without me, there is no turning back.”
She watched as David pivoted on his heels and left the room. A moment of uncertainty kept her from moving. But then she knew she had to follow. She took off walking. He’d been good to her, and she hated how this was ending. “David—”
But her words were cut off by the door slamming. She rushed forward determined to follow, but Diego’s words stilled her. “No. It’s dangerous.”
She swallowed. A part of her was relieved David was gone. The entire time he had been in the room with Diego she’d felt as if she was holding back two bulls about to charge.
The battle cries, though only in their minds, had been potent with life. She flipped the locks shut, her instincts telling her Diego was right. Someone hunted her. She turned and rested against the wooden surface, watching Diego watch her. Something dark was beneath his surface. As sure as she drew another breath, she knew her long-term bodyguard had her best interest at heart.
The star. The way she felt with Diego. It was true she wasn’t the same. Diego had changed her. Perhaps forever. “What did you do to me?”
He didn’t immediately answer. “Are you afraid?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You know I’m not.” She paused. “But I should be.”
His brow inched upward, and he stepped towards her. “Why?” he asked. “Because logic says you should be?” With each word he took a step. “Or because normal humans fear the unknown?”
She watched him close the distance between them, feeling the pulse of anticipation beneath her skin. Wanting answers to questions she didn’t even understand. It was confusing. He tied her in knots. “Exactly.”
“But you’re not normal,” he said. “Never have been nor will you ever be again.”
“Not by human standards, I’m not. But by my own neither are you.” Even as she spoke the words, Marcella knew they didn’t ring true. He had changed her.
“You are very much like me.” Diego stood in front of her now and extended his hand. “Come,” he said. “I’ll teach you all you want to know.”
She looked down at his hand. For a split second Marcella tried to resist the lure he held. But it was a useless endeavor. Going to him was like running to the warmth of a flame on a cold day. Impossible to resist.
But as she slipped her hand in his, she willed herself to remain strong. She would only give him a piece of her. He was, after all, a stranger with an agenda she couldn’t begin to understand.
Or could she?
* * * * *
David stepped outside the hotel, frustration deep in his soul. The area was deserted, the lights low and the night dark. His strides were long as he walked with a hurried pace. He needed air and space. The way Marcella had clung to the stranger’s side had him in knots. It twisted and burned like acid in an open wound.
He’d always felt things for Marcella. Things he shouldn’t. After all, he was her protector. Getting personal complicated things. But somewhere along the line, it had happened. He had fallen in love with Marcella.
The woods were heavy to his left. The solitude they offered called to him with a strange magnetic pull. It was unlike him to retreat but for some reason it felt compelling. Even necessary. Though there was no one around, he didn’t like the prospect. His mind raced with turbulent thoughts. This new stranger represented trouble and he knew it. His sudden appearance alone would have been suspicious, but the way Marcella responded to him was simply crazy. He was a stranger. Had the man cast some sort of spell on her?
He was now past the main scenery of the hotel, brush crunching beneath his boots. Running actually crossed his mind. Anything that might let off the steam burning beneath his skin. Yet he held back, knowing he couldn’t stray too far. What if Marcella needed him? Yet emotions clogged his mind and made a clear plan difficult to conceive. Every instinct he owned pressed him to go back after Marcella.
He stopped walking, though he really wanted to keep moving, knowing he needed to stay near the hotel. Even now, he should return. But he needed just a minute more. With a deep breath, he took a seat on a large rock. And that’s when he noticed it…the total, complete silence.
Not one branch moved. Not one leaf fluttered. A slow awareness slid down his spine as evil as a snake slivering to its prey. And he knew, without a doubt, he was being watched. Damn it! Had he been lured from Marcella? What insanity had possessed him to walk into the woods?
Careful not to make any rash moves, he forced himself to remain still. Discreetly, he eyed the left and then the right. But still nothing. Not a single movement. It was almost…unearthly.
A sudden gush of wind tore through the air and he dug his palms against the hard stone. Everything calm became chaos. Tree limbs ripped from the root, leaves flew through the air. And then as if out of nowhere, two men approached. No. They were more beast than men. Their hair was long, flowing in the wind behind their broad shoulders. Snarls painted their faces with anger, challenging looks no doubt meant to intimidate.
David pushed to his feet and stood, stance wide, hand sliding to his waist, resting on his gun. He didn’t dare draw it, but the comfort of knowing it was near held a calming impact. Facing his opponents, he was prepared to act. He might be outnumbered but he wasn’t weak or afraid. The bigger of the two challengers sported a deep gash on his face. He stepped forward taking the lead. He took a step as well, showing these men—or whatever the hell they were— he was up for the challenge.
The aggressive one spoke. “You have two options on this night.”
David’s brow lifted. “Let me guess…live or die.” He paused for effect. “Not very original.”
“Actually, death is one very real option.”
A scraping noise drew David’s attention to the man’s hands. Blades were extending from his skin. What the hell? His heart beat faster as he tried to process what must be an illusion. He blinked. Shit. It seemed real. Like blades really came from his skin. His mind flashed back to Marcella’s words. Monsters she had called her new enemies.
And he knew in that moment that Diego was not the bad guy. He was indeed just the opposite. He’d allowed jealousy to taint his usual instinct. Making eye contact with his enemy, he stiffened his spine.
He focused on coming off strong. A gun would surely kill these things. “Death is an option, no doubt. For you and me.”
The monster smiled as did his companion. “You are no match for me and neither is the gun you hope will save you.”
David felt as if the breath was knocked out of his chest. How could he know his thoughts? He swallowed. Marcella had abilities. Could these things have powers even greater than hers? Reaching deep for calm, he rationalized. It could be a logical guess. An intimidation tactic.
“Right. You’re bulletproof.”
Laughter followed. The creature held out his arms. “Care to try me?”
No. That was what came to mind. Somehow he didn’t think this was going well. “I don’t play games. What do you want?”
“It’s what you want. I can give you power, skill and the woman of your dreams. Do I have your attention?”
He didn’t want to know what this guy was talking about. It wasn’t good, he knew that much, and it was enough. “Whatever you are getting at, forget it.”
The shorter of the two stepped forward, and razors shot from his hands. “I’m afraid we can’t do that.”
Suddenly,
David felt a force in his mind. Like a low hum. Pressure. He squeezed his eyes shut against the pain.
“Stop fighting and the pain will end.” The voice felt distant yet close. In his head. He pressed his palms over his ears. Somehow he had to fight. He had to warn Marcella. In his mind, he cried out as he fell to his knees.
* * * * *
Marcella felt the weight of Diego like a heavy, seductive blanket of fulfillment. He shuddered with release. Hers had come only moments before, drawing from her a sigh of utter satisfaction. There had been no time to ask questions or even think them. The minute they had touched passion had flared. One minute she stood at the door of the room, the next she was naked, beneath him, in total bliss. After several moments of simply clinging together, sated and pressed close, Diego rolled over and pulled her to his shoulder. His hand stroked her hair with tender, gentle caresses.
But suddenly the peace of the moment was gone. Her mind raged with a fierce cry. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to understand what was happening. A sharp pain knifed into her stomach. She sat up, holding her middle.
“David,” she gasped.
Diego was already sitting, having followed her movement, his hands on her arms. “I know, my love,” he said. “I’m going to him.”
She turned, blinking Diego into focus. “Hurry. He’s hurt.”
Already standing, he reached for his clothes. “I’m going,” he said. “Lock the door and don’t open it until I say so. And I mean not for anyone but me.”
Feeling the reality of the present rather than the distant fog of her vision, Marcella scrambled to the side of the bed. “No,” she said, “I have to go. What if he needs to be healed?”
“Forget it.” Diego’s voice was firm. “You’re not going anywhere.” He reached for his shirt and tugged it over his head.
Marcella grabbed her skirt from the floor and stepped into it. “What if he’s hurt? You might need me.”
Marcella, I’m a doctor. I can handle David’s injuries. I don’t want you getting hurt in the process.”