Trust had never been an issue between them, but his brother was right. This was Kira. Lorn tended to be paranoid when it came to her. There was no choice though. He shifted his body and gripped her under her arms. She moaned when he lifted her, scooting on his back and using his feet to push in the right direction. Her weight was slight and easy to maneuver but it was tough to angle her high enough for his brother to reach inside the hole to grip her arms.
She slid over his chest and then his face when Lavos pulled her away. She had gone totally limp, seeming to have lost consciousness. He rolled over the second she was clear to scramble after them. The night air was welcome once he left the tight confines of the cave and he breathed it in deep, instantly reaching for her.
Lavos handed her over from the cradle of his arms after staring down at her neck with a frown. “You sure she’s changing and not just suffering sickness?”
“Yes.” He hugged her close to his body, careful not to crush her. “Her eyes were glowing. It’s begun. She never had that ability before.”
“Maybe you’re wrong. She could have that trait.”
“I know everything about Kira.”
“Shit. I’ll clean up here and follow to hide all tracks or scents you leave behind.”
Lorn turned to go but his brother grabbed his shoulder. He looked back at him, wary.
“I’ll hunt before sunset and tie up a deer near your den. She’s going to need to feed. I hear they wake pretty hungry. Watch your damn neck.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“We’re brothers. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Go. It won’t be long before Davis returns with others. There’s a lot of work to do. Be damn alert so you don’t run into any of them on their way out here. I’ll patrol the area around your den just to make sure nobody comes sniffing, in case we didn’t think of something.”
Lorn gave a sharp nod, his gratitude immense. He moved fast but didn’t run. It would jar Kira. Her breathing was slow and regular, as if she slept, but he knew better. The pain had become too great for her still-human mind to endure. Every step was taken with caution to leave no trace. Lavos had enough to clean up and he didn’t want to add to his burden.
The den was stocked with food but Kira wouldn’t need that. Not anymore. A wave of grief threatened to crush his heart. He’d always avoided contemplating her future since it couldn’t be with him, but this was a twist he’d never seen coming. In seven days, he’d have to lead her to the outside world and leave her there to survive. There would be no more watching out for her or assuring her safety from the people who lived in her proximity.
The Vampires were territorial too, and they didn’t abide rogues. The bastard who’d turned Kira couldn’t exactly take her back to whatever hellish nest he’d made and introduce her to his other children. Not anymore. Part of Lorn wasn’t sorry about that. There was no telling what kind of abuse she might have suffered under a master’s guidance.
Money wouldn’t be an issue. He had plenty of it, and so did Davis. The two of them would make sure she had access to funds. They might be able to buy her some remote home, but how would she feed? Livestock? Who would care for them while she slept during the day?
Frustration rose again as he kept moving, carrying her closer to his second home. Then he remembered…
Ravenous.
He’d almost forgotten about the long-gone clan member with stronger Vampire traits. Decker had made some bargain with his mother, allowing her and Ravenous to live in the territory. The money Decker had been paid to accept that family had helped bend those rules, like he bent so many others. Ravenous had enough Lycan blood to withstand the sun without any ill effects but he needed to drink blood, as well as eat food.
He didn’t know where Ravenous had gone but he could try to search for him via the internet.
The tale had become near legend about how two full-blood Vampires had arrived in their territory some years ago from another country. Decker hadn’t given a shit that they were ignorant about the war or that they’d inadvertently broken the pack. He’d just ordered them killed. Ravenous wouldn’t stand for it, and he’d helped them escape, leaving with them. He was obviously sympathetic to his father’s people. Rumor had it that he’d threatened to challenge Decker.
It had been one of the few times Decker had backed down. It meant Ravenous was strong and fierce, because their clan leader was a mean son of a bitch.
Lorn glanced at Kira’s upturned face. She was too attractive for his peace of mind. The concept of asking another man to take her under his protection wasn’t easy to swallow. Ravenous might feel the desire to keep her as his own in ways that had Lorn clenching his teeth. Jealousy rolled off him in menacing waves.
He’d always heard good things about Ravenous, though. Not from any of Decker’s supporters, but that just meant he must be honorable. It would be best to send Kira somewhere she’d be safeguarded, even if it was into the arms of another man.
“Fuck,” he hissed. The urge to kill something struck hard and fast.
Lorn glanced at the starry sky, grateful it was still a few hours from sunrise. But summer was almost upon them and the days getting longer and longer. Kira had always seemed fragile but never more so than at that moment. One touch of the sunlight would sear her beautiful skin, blister it, kill her. She would be virtually defenseless while she rested during the day. Old Vamps could move around under shelter when the sun rose, but the recently turned were weak and comparable to a newborn in that regard.
He reached his property with a sigh of relief and sped up into a light jog. The den was hidden from everyone in the clan with the exception of Lavos. His parents didn’t even know where it had been built. Lorn wasn’t stupid enough to trust his father, and whatever his mother knew, she might unwillingly share with her mate through their bond.
His parents wouldn’t be happy with him away for days. There were duties expected of him, especially with Decker and his enforcers on the run from the GarLycan leader, Lord Aveoth. It had become Lorn’s job to calm anyone anxious over the situation and keep the peace amongst the clan members. Nabby had tried to start plenty of fights but he’d backed down with Lorn standing in his way.
He scanned the area but nothing seemed out of place. He slowed his pace as he jumped from one large rock to another, not touching the ground to leave behind no trace. He paused near a circle of huge boulders and shifted Kira to hang over one shoulder, freeing his hand. He jumped atop one of the boulders then dropped down. There was a space between the boulders where he’d hidden the opening to his den. He reached under one of the bushes he’d planted, found the release, and dug his fingers inside. The latch popped and it automatically triggered the cage to silently rise from below ground. Dirt and part of the bush remained on top of it.
It rose out of the earth until a latch caught along the bottom, holding it in place so he could step inside the narrow but tall steel box. The springs would prevent it from falling too fast when he stepped on the release. He made sure all of Kira was contained inside then stomped down, there was a slight click, and the elevator lowered.
The night sky disappeared, along with the fresh air when it took them completely underground. He stepped out into a narrow tunnel, only pausing to lock the cage in place. No one could spring the latch from outside now. He strode forward as the floor steeped lower until he reached a metal door.
He appreciated modern technology and battery-operated devices. He punched in the code after touching the faceplate to activate the lights on it and the inner lock released, admitting him into his secure den. It felt chilly inside and pitch dark. He turned to throw extra bolts that couldn’t be accessed from the other side, sliding a thick bar across the door as a final safety measure.
Claws couldn’t breach the four-inch steel that surrounded the den from floor to ceiling. Air vents dug below ground for long distances made certain they’d never suffocate. He knew the small space so well that he walked to t
he table in the dark, gently placing Kira down. She remained too still and unresponsive for his liking. The light on the wall was easy to find as he flipped on the battery lamp.
She had grown unnaturally pale and he crouched down, studying her features. It was part of the change.
“My poor sunshine.” He flinched, realizing he had to stop calling her that. His pet name would become a taunt of what she’d lost.
The river smell coming off both of them annoyed him. He turned to study the ten-by-twenty-foot room. A crude bathroom and kitchen took up the far wall. The reserve water tanks would be full since he hadn’t used the place in months. Every time it rained it replenished them. Cans of food were stored in the cupboards so he wouldn’t starve.
They needed to get clean. He opened the bathroom door and turned on another battery-operated lamp. One flip of a switch and he knew he had minutes before the water would warm. No way would he douse Kira in anything less. She’d already suffered enough shocks for one night.
Lorn returned to her side. Her shoes were destroyed from her swim. He had to use his claws to cut her laces, too wet to untie. Her feet were cold when he peeled off wet socks. The empty ankle holster became a reminder of the battle she’d fought for her life. His gaze traveled over her as he steeled himself for what was to come. This wasn’t the way he’d always fantasized about seeing her totally nude the first time.
The pants she wore were standard patrol ones and he just shredded them. They were too damp to ease down her legs. He was careful to avoid skin as he sliced them from the ankles up. Every inch he bared was something he tried to avoid noticing. The last thing he needed was to become aroused.
She wore blue panties. They were bikini cut and lacey. The sight of them had him uttering a soft curse. He might just keep those on her. The shirt was already torn in a few places, as if it had happened during a struggle. It made him wonder if the bloodbag had planned to savage the rest of her body the way he’d done to her neck. Fury helped him strip it off her without paying too much attention to the mismatching black bra. He unfastened the knife sheath and ankle holster from her body. She’d used those weapons to survive.
“Come on, Kira,” he urged. “Can you wake for me?”
She didn’t stir.
He spun and stalked to the dresser to grab a pair of boxers, putting them on. They would both be semi-decent despite what needed to be done. The healing wound on her neck needed to be cleaned and so did her hair. He returned to her side and lifted her into his arms. With a deep breath, he carried her into the tight confines of the bathroom.
* * * * *
Kira’s stomach ached as if she’d been sucker punched and something wet ran down her body. A solid mass of heat was pressed against her back and under her legs. She almost fell over but a thick arm wrapped around her waist to prevent her from going anywhere.
“Almost done,” a deep voice crooned. “The conditioner is out.”
She opened her eyes in confusion to stare at a sink. There was no mirror over it but it made no sense why it rained inside a bathroom. Water splashed over the small counter mounted at chest level. It was a strange dream.
Something tangled in her hair at the base of her neck and gently pushed her forward, away from the solid heat at her back. Water ran down her spine and she should have fallen face first against the sink but didn’t. Too weird.
“All rinsed. We’re done. Now it’s time to dry off and put you to bed.”
She knew that voice.
It wasn’t easy to turn her head for some reason. Her entire body felt too heavy to move but she managed to look over her shoulder. Familiar gray eyes peered back at her. Lorn was wet, his hair too, and he wore a grim expression.
“Hi, sun—uh, Kira. Are you feeling better?”
Definitely a weird dream, but anything involving Lorn was welcome. It wasn’t the sexy kind she normally had about the tall VampLycan. His wet hair had been shoved back off his face, for one. He always looked handsome but his hair was dry and hanging free in her dreams. Her gaze lowered to bare, wide shoulders, the side of one touching a plastic wall, pressed tight as if he were squeezed against it.
“You’re safe.”
Of course she was, but her stomach hurt. Her mouth parted but her tongue seemed swollen and impossibly dry when she tried to speak. Her upper gums hurt, too, as if she’d burned them.
“We’re inside my den.” He pulled her closer until her back rested against his naked chest. She had to adjust her head slightly to keep looking up at him. “The one I built on the land I inherited after I became of age. Sorry the water isn’t hotter. It’s warm though. I installed a tankless water heater that runs off propane.”
Regret flashed in his eyes. The room was dimly lit but she saw the emotion. A tug at her subconscious suddenly became a violent shove in her mind. Memories replaced the confusion as she woke more.
“Oh God!”
“I got you to my den without running into anyone. No one but my brother knows we’re here. He’ll tell your dad what happened to you when they’re alone. The location of my den is safe and I built it strong. It would take a lot to break into it. I have a secondary escape tunnel to sneak us out if they put up guards. That’s the worst-case scenario.”
She didn’t know what to say. Lorn had to know what was happening to her. It explained how sluggish she’d become, the confused state of her mind, and how bad she felt. She wanted answers to a hundred questions but didn’t know where to start.
“Why?” It was only one word but it was hard to get her mouth to form it.
He frowned. “Did you think I’d allow anyone to kill you? That I’d do it myself?”
He knew all right.
Emotions swelled inside until they almost overwhelmed Kira. She felt gratitude toward him for being the kind of man she’d always believed him to be. He hadn’t let her down. Once again, he’d come to her rescue and kept her safe when she couldn’t defend herself. Anyone else in the clan would have immediately gone in search of some rope and ground stakes. Then they’d have stood guard over her to make certain she didn’t escape until the sun burned her to ashes.
Lorn reached up and the shower ended. It wasn’t rain, of course, and they were inside an impossibly small bathroom that reminded her of one she’d shared with college friends one weekend when they’d rented a small RV for a camping trip. He sat on the closed toilet seat and the shower head was high above his head on the wall. The control for the water was under it.
“Get up and we’ll dry off.”
She tried to but was horrified to discover her legs totally unresponsive. She moaned in protest.
“What is it?” He was alarmed as his voice deepened.
“I can’t stand.”
His gaze darted away from hers and then back. “It’s part of the change. The blood that bastard forced into you is spreading through your veins. It causes temporary paralysis while it attacks your immune system. It’s going to be worse for you because you do have a little Lycan blood, but not enough to combat the infection. It’s also almost dawn.”
Her fear increased. “Will my body really die when the sun comes up?”
He said nothing.
It sank in at that second that she was on his lap—and her head moved just fine, thank God, when she jerked her chin down to look at her chest. Her breasts were covered by her soaked black bra. It was the matronly one she wore to work. Her eyes closed in mortification. The only consolation was that she wasn’t completely naked, and she became aware of wet material under her ass, as well.
“I kept your underthings on.”
She dared to look up at him.
“I’m wearing boxers. Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to try anything sexual.”
As if he would. She was turning into a bloodbag. He’s not into necrophilia.
She inwardly cringed. The fear returned just thinking about what was happening to her body and what would come when morning hit.
“What are you thinking? Are you cold?”
It was warm in the tiny room with them sealed inside. “I’m fine.” She closed her eyes and her head sagged down. “No. I guess I’m not. But I’m not cold.” More memories surfaced. “They attacked Veso.”
“What?”
“Veso,” she whispered. “They said they ‘played’ with him.”
“He can take care of himself against Vampires.” Anger deepened his voice. “Was he with you, then left you alone to face off against them?”
“No. I never saw him during my shift,” she admitted.
“Kira?”
The gentle urge of his voice forced her to look at him again. Tears filled her eyes but she blinked to keep them from spilling. “Will my heart stop beating?” The concept sickened her. “Dad never would tell me all that much about full-blooded Vampires. Do you know?”
“It will slow but not stop while you rest.”
That was a relief, albeit a small one.
“You’ll go into a deep sleep, and with you being so new, probably not be able to waken at all while the sun is up. It’s a defense mechanism for new Vampires. It’s instinctual to sleep when it’s the most dangerous time for you.”
“What about later?”
“Older Vamps can move around fine inside their lairs but it might take you a while to accomplish that, unless the bastard who did this was pretty strong. Then you’ll stay awake if you want. We won’t know for sure what traits you’ll get until you’re done transforming. Right now your body is suffering the changes. You’ll be out today for sure, to complete what was done.”
The idea was terrifying.
“I’ll protect you.” He drew so close their lips nearly touched, his gaze intent. “No one is going to get close to you except me.”