Lorn backed up a few feet and opened his arms, body tensing.
Lavos jumped away from the door and Kira burst out. Her eyes were glowing bright blue, her mouth open and showing off her fangs.
She tried to go for Lavos.
“Kira!” Lorn snarled. “No! Come here.”
Her attention fixed on him and she growled low. There wasn’t recognition in her gaze. He had become food. She came at him fast but he was able to grip her upper arms and keep her back. She cried out and tried to bite him.
“Fuck.” Lavos came up behind her. “Hey!”
Kira twisted her head, growling at him.
It was the distraction Lorn needed. He let go of one of her arms, spinning Kira and jerking her body toward his. Wrapping one arm tightly around her waist, he lifted her off her feet and gripped her jaw to prevent her from biting or being able to turn her head.
Kira screamed, hurting his ears, and violently bucked in his arms. He had planned to sit in the chair with her on his lap but realized that wasn’t going to work.
“Give her your wrist!”
Lavos took a step and Kira watched him closely, going unnaturally still in Lorn’s arms. She sniffed, then that keening noise came from her again. She reached out to Lavos as if she wanted him to take her into his arms.
“Not going to happen, baby.” Lorn adjusted her a little higher, ignoring the pain of having her pressed against his injured stomach. “Easy, Kira.” His gaze met his brother’s. “Grab her wrists to hold in one hand and feed her. Don’t let her touch you.”
Lavos snatched Kira’s wrists and brought them together, clamping his fingers and thumb around them. He stepped close enough to almost touch her and brought up his bleeding arm, then Lorn eased his hold on her chin.
She struck fast, throwing her head forward and sinking her fangs into the fleshy part of Lavos arm. He cursed softly.
“Damn. Ouch. Not gentle, is she?”
“Shut up. Don’t tell her that when she calms. It would make her feel bad. Kira is too tenderhearted.”
Kira began to moan and she wiggled in Lorn’s hold.
“Don’t breathe through your nose,” he demanded.
“Why not?”
“I’ll deck you if you get a hard-on, that’s why. Her scent is changing. She still confuses bloodlust with sexual need.”
A grin split Lavos’s face in an instant. “You totally fuck her while she feeds, don’t you? I told you sex with a Vamp is hot as hell.”
“Change the subject. My mate’s aroused while she’s taking your blood. I’m trying to forget that really hard at the moment.”
Lavos’s amusement faded. “Sorry. It’s not personal. We both know it.”
“Instincts are a bitch.” Lorn lowered his head and spoke softly next to her ear. “I’m right here, Kira. I’ve got you.”
She finally released Lavos by jerking her fangs out of him. Her eyes opened and she sucked in a sharp breath. “What the hell?”
“You’re welcome.” Lavos let go of her wrists and twisted his arm, licking where it still bled to make it stop.
Lorn lowered Kira to the floor and released her chin. She turned around, remaining in the circle of his arm, and stared into his eyes. Blood stained her lips. It wasn’t his and it enraged him. He had to take deep breaths to avoid snarling. It took effort.
“It’s okay. Don’t look so horrified, Kira. I was right here holding you.”
“I’m sorry. Did I escape the bathroom?”
That reminder angered him. “You should have said you were hungry before I went to sleep. Don’t ever have someone lock you up again.”
She opened her palms and pressed them against his chest. “You don’t feel as if you’re running a fever.” She forced him to give her more room to move by pushing against him. She lowered her chin, her fingers trailing down to the wounds on his lower belly. “They look better.” Her gaze met his.
“It seems I got lucky.”
“We’d have definitely known if your bowels took a hit,” Lavos murmured. “Septic shock is a bitch on the system until we heal. I say we all get a bit more sleep and discuss this later.”
Lorn just wanted to hold Kira but it bothered him seeing blood on her that wasn’t from him. He led her to the sink and turned on the water, using his thumb to wipe away any trace of Lavos. She allowed it. She even bent, rinsed out her mouth, and spit to expel any lingering blood inside her mouth.
“Hey, you’re making me think I taste bad or something.”
Lorn glared at his brother. “That’s not funny.”
“Should I point out what the two of you seem oblivious of?”
“What’s that?” Lorn pulled Kira close and she wrapped her arms around him.
“I thought Kira might conk out the second she had blood in her belly but she seems pretty with it to me.” Lavos studied her. “It’s still daylight up top.”
“What time is it?” She sounded excited.
“Just after one.” Lavos took a seat in a chair. “That blood transfer thing must be working. I’m impressed.”
Kira’s face lit up with happiness. “Maybe I can withstand the sun. I don’t feel sleepy at all!”
Lorn cupped her face. “Don’t get too excited.”
“We should take you up top.”
Lorn snarled, shooting Lavos a death glare. “Stay out of this.”
“It’s the truth.” Lavos leaned back more in the chair. “She needs to be exposed to sunlight.”
“You mean to see if she bursts into flames? No!” The thought terrified Lorn and he hugged her harder. “I won’t lose you.” He held her gaze. “It’s too soon.”
“Lorn, it’s daytime and I’m wide awake. That’s got to mean something.”
“It does. My Lycan blood is helping yours equalize the Vampire side, but it’s still too dangerous. We’ll give it more time.”
“Lorn, I think you—”
“Shut the hell up, Lavos!” Lorn thundered, annoyed. “I don’t want to hear your opinion. You don’t get to advise me where Kira is concerned.”
“Lorn.” Kira petted his chest.
He glared down. “No. Not yet. You could get hurt.”
“I can’t hide down here forever. You took over the clan and that means you need to go home. Everyone is going to need to see you, and I’m sure a lot of them need reassurances. You can’t help them if you’re always here with me.”
“They’re stupid if they don’t understand life will be better now that Decker’s gone. I refuse to hold their hands as if they’re small children afraid of change.”
She continued to pet him, her fingertips lightly brushing over his skin. “Someone is grumpy.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You are,” she insisted, keeping her tone soft. “You’re still aggressive from the fighting. You’re also in pain since you haven’t fully healed yet, and you’re already stressed. I’ll let it drop for now. I don’t have to go above ground today.”
“I almost lost you. I can’t stand the idea of you being hurt.”
“I appreciate that. Why don’t we lie down and get a little more sleep before you have to leave? We’ll take this one step at a time.”
“You promise me you won’t try to sneak out?”
“I swear. I’ll lay down with you and you can hold me.”
He knew her words were meant to soothe and placate him, but he allowed it. “I could use more sleep.”
“Good.”
He glowered at Lavos, expecting an argument, but his brother shrugged.
“I could definitely use a nap. I haven’t slept.”
“I’m going to use the bathroom and then we can rest. The bed isn’t huge but we can all fit. I sleep in the middle.” Lorn wasn’t about to allow Lavos to curl up next to Kira.
Chapter Thirteen
Lorn took the stairs to the third floor of the lodge two at a time. Lavos waited for him in the open loft area. Two couches and a long table between them took up most of the space, alo
ng with a card table and chairs. It had been where Decker’s enforcers had hung out to guard him while he handled business matters for the clan.
He turned, staring out over the main living space of the ground floor. Large windows rose three floors in the wall across the open space. They looked down on their tiny town and the two-lane highway that linked them to the outside world. It wasn’t well traveled but the occasional tourist stopped for gas.
Lorn turned away, his curiosity met. The double doors behind him were wide open to the extensive walled-in office space.
“I had to break the locks. I’ll send Davis into town tomorrow for new ones. I can sleep up here to guard the office tonight,” Lavos offered.
Lorn nodded and strode into what used to be Decker’s domain, and a place he’d always been banned from visiting. He’d expected to hate it on sight but he actually liked the exposed logs and built-in shelving. A huge desk dominated one wall. The far wall consisted of panels of glass that could be slid open. A small ledge a few feet wide made a balcony without rails. A wood-burning fireplace sat in a corner. Decker had also placed a conference table near the doors.
Lorn crossed the room, peering down the other side of the mountain that the lodge had been built on. VampLycan homes could be seen scattered between the trees.
Lavos stepped next to him. “He could see everything from up here. I never understood why he had this place built but I get it now.”
Lorn walked over to a telescope and peeked through the lens, closing one eye.
“Tell me the bastard wasn’t spying in windows. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Lorn stepped back and moved out of the way. “He has it trained toward the valley pass that leads to the cliffs. He probably feared the GarLycans would attack and wanted the ability to spot them flying at us.”
“Paranoid bastard.”
“He made enemies.” Lorn took a seat at the desk next and began opening drawers, examining everything inside.
“This is going to take days, figuring out everything he was up to.”
“I agree.” Lorn dropped a stack of bills and leaned back in the chair. “I already have a headache just thinking about what lies ahead.”
“I’ll get us some help. Garson is good with numbers. We could assign him the task of anything financial. Davis runs the lodge, so we’ll ask him if he’ll keep doing it for now while taking on more duties.”
“We’re going to need it.”
“I’m going to pay Dad a visit. He’ll know where the money is, and maybe the combination to the safe. I’m betting the land deeds are kept there. They’re supposed to be in every family’s name but I’d like to make certain.” Lavos jerked his head toward the corner nearest the conference table. “See it?”
Lorn followed his gaze and spotted a long, waist-high safe that doubled as a counter for boxes of office supplies waiting to be stored. “Do you think Decker trusted him that much?”
“I’d bet on it. I’m afraid Decker will try to sell the land out from under us or some such shit if he put everything in his name. Would you put it past him?”
“No.”
“We’re going to have to outsmart that son of a bitch. He’ll fuck this clan in a heartbeat once he learns you took it over.”
“Go now. I’ll remain here.”
Lavos hesitated.
“I’m fine. You were at my side during the meeting to show solidarity. Most of them are taking the transition far better than I believed they would.”
“I noticed Bran stayed near the back door and never said a word.”
The elder had also caught Lorn’s attention. “Veso’s father has a lot on his mind. He lost his son.”
“True.”
“I’ll talk to him privately,” Lorn decided. “Give him our condolences.”
“I think it’s better if I do it. I was close to Veso and Bran was aware of our friendship. I had planned to talk to him anyway. He needs to know we killed a few of those Vampires who attacked his son, and some justice has been meted out. It will make him feel a little better. I’ll also remind him that his son would have rejoiced over you taking the clan.”
“He probably envisioned Veso stepping into Decker’s place if anyone replaced him.”
“I highly doubt that. Bran doesn’t come across as a fool to me. Veso wasn’t the type.” Lavos smiled but his eyes revealed sadness. “Veso enjoyed being a loner too much. He used to growl at anyone who even wanted to share their problems. He’d tell them to go find someone who gave a fuck and walk away.”
“He was a good trainer, according to Kira.”
“He hated when Decker ordered him to teach her how to fight, but she surprised him. He actually liked her. She earned his respect. Kira was one of the few people he played with.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Lorn was on his feet in an instant. Kira had said the only lover she’d taken had been human.
“Don’t snarl. Veso didn’t want to fuck her. He couldn’t see the draw of human women, certain he’d break one in bed by accident, and they were too easy to control. He could be a nightmare as a patrol partner but he played games with Kira. She amused him.”
“What did he do?”
“He stole her lunches, would leave her notes saying she’d have to track him if she wanted to eat. He’d expected her to rant or cry at first, but instead she began packing food for two and would share her meals when she caught up to him. Things like that. Games that helped improve her skills.”
Lorn regretted some of the hatred he’d once felt for the VampLycan. “I see.”
“I’ll go shift and run to the border cabin. I’m hoping Dad’s jaw is healed enough that he was able to shift to human, or can by now. If not, he can send any messages through his link to Mom. I won’t be gone for more than a few hours. I’ll send Garson up here since you have Kar watching your den.”
“Thanks. Davis should be along soon, too.” Lorn retook his seat. “I’ll notify the other clans to make my position official to them as well.”
“Good luck. I’ll hurry.”
Lorn waited until his brother left and closed the door behind him. He withdrew his cell phone and listened to two rings before it was answered.
“This is Velder.”
“It’s Lorn. It’s done. I’ve taken the clan.”
“We heard.”
That surprised Lorn. “From who?”
“We have friends amongst your clan. I won’t give names. Is that a problem?”
“No. I have nothing to hide and I encourage friendships between our clans.”
“I wondered, since you waited to call.”
“I apologize for the delay but I needed sleep, first and foremost.” He wasn’t willing to mention Kira.
“Damn. I didn’t know you were in bad shape. I was told you only sustained minor injuries. You hid it well from your clansmen. They believe you took down your challengers without any difficulty.”
Velder really did have someone inside the clan feeding him information. It didn’t bother Lorn. He opened his mouth to reply but Velder went on.
“The offer still stands for us to help you. I can send at least four enforcers, and the other two clan leaders will spare some of theirs. They’ll take direct orders from you to help stabilize your situation.”
“I’ve healed enough that it’s not a problem. I appreciate it but I think it would make everyone nervous if others came so soon.”
“You don’t want to be seen as weak enough to ask for help from us.”
“Yes.”
“Smart. Do you have enough loyal friends and family to create a solid foundation circle around you?”
“I’ve made my brother my second and accepted two enforcers so far.”
“Four of you aren’t enough to hold an entire clan. You need at least a dozen in your circle or you’ll never sleep. Part of being a leader is delegating responsibilities to others. It gives everyone a sense of security to know the death of one won’t completely throw the clan int
o chaos.”
“I’ll accept more enforcers once things settle a bit. I have one more who runs the lodge that has my back. I’m still feeling out loyalties but I have some offers I’m considering. Decker took most of the threats with him when he fled. I’ve handled the worst of the ones he left behind. I’m expecting a few sneak attacks but we can handle it.”
“Picking an elder as your advisor will smooth over any resentment from the first-generations. Age is knowledge.”
“I’m not asking an elder to be my advisor. Decker and Ladius kept us from moving forward with their archaic ways. I’m changing all the shit I hated and bringing us in line with the other clans.”
“I understand, but be warned, it might make you enemies. Watch them closely.”
“I already had to take down two elders.”
“I heard. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help, Lorn. We all want you to succeed. We’re looking forward to strengthening the bonds between our clans again. It’s been hell for us all, since Decker made us so wary. All the clans are connected through blood ties from mating. We’re trusting that you want that as well.”
“I do. I give my word that I don’t have any plans to start a war. One clan is going to be challenging enough. I don’t want yours or anyone else’s.”
Velder chuckled. “Just wait until you’re dealing with all the clan issues that arise. They’ll really keep you busy. Today I had to punish a youth.”
“And that was amusing?”
“The boy played a prank but it crossed a line. I wanted to laugh my ass off and pat him on the back. It was near genius but I had to hide how I felt. It was my job to make an example out of him so others weren’t encouraged to misbehave too.”
“What did he do?” Lorn could use a laugh.
“Another youth is showing signs of becoming a strong enforcer one day. He’s only eight but he’s already building muscle and can fully shift. It’s making him a bit of a bully. We’ve talked to him but you know how it is.”
Lorn did. Some VampLycans were stronger than others at younger ages. He’d been one of them but he’d never felt the need to push around smaller VampLycans just because he grew at a faster rate. Nabby, on the other hand, had terrorized them. “I do.”