Devoured

  All of that might have been okay—after all, it was no more bizarre than some of the breakfast skillet combos you could buy at Denny’s or any greasy spoon. But there was one last layer that covered everything—a thin, sticky film of what appeared to be blueberry syrup.

  The cloyingly sweet scent of artificial blueberries mixed with jalapeno cheese eggs and salty sausage gravy rose to assault her nose and her stomach rolled. Tess had to fight hard not to make a face. Ugh!

  “Is this the correct configuration?” The big Kindred sounded anxious. “I saw a human male make a plate just like this so I assumed it must be the right thing to do.”

  “It’s…it looks great.” Tess swallowed hard and picked up the plastic fork he had thoughtfully provided. “So you say you saw a guy making a plate just like this one?”

  Garron nodded. “Except for the sweet, sticky sauce. He said he couldn’t eat it because of a medical condition which does not allow him to have sugary substances. But I knew you were perfectly healthy so I thought…” He trailed off, frowning. “I did it wrong, didn’t I? I should have added the orange liquid too. But look—I did bring some.”

  He took the lid off a covered cup and Tess saw orange juice sloshing inside. He was about to pour it over the contents of the Styrofoam box but she hastily put a hand on his wrist to stop him.

  “No, no—this is fine!” She stabbed the fork in and took a big bite to prove it. The flavors of blueberry syrup, sausage gravy, and scrambled eggs with cheese and jalapenos assaulted her tongue all at once, making her nearly gag. The waffle and the grits were mercifully bland but they did add to the strange mixture of textures in her mouth. Somehow she managed to swallow.

  Garron was frowning as he watched. “You’re certain you don’t want the orange liquid?”

  “That’s orange juice—you drink it,” she said in a strangled voice. “Here, let me…” She took the cup from his hand and took a big drink to wash away the taste of the other breakfast food. “Mmm…” She tried to smile at him. “Delicious. Thank you so much.”

  Garron smiled. “I am glad I got the configuration right after all. We still have a little time before we need to be out of the room—I’m going to take a shower while you finish your first fare meal.”

  “Of course—go. Enjoy yourself.” Tess smiled, hoping he would leave her alone so she could dispose of the weird conglomeration of breakfast foods.

  “I will but first, do you mind if I have a bite? I’m intrigued—I haven’t eaten much Earth food other than the baked goods Becca’s friend, Lauren provides.”

  “Um, sure…” Tess pushed the container towards him. “Help yourself.”

  Garron picked up another fork and got a large bite, making sure to get a bit of every layer of his breakfast creation. Then he stuck it in his mouth and started to chew.

  It didn’t take long for his face to turn red and he swallowed with an obvious effort.

  “Ugh—that was—”

  “Here.” Tess shoved the orange juice at him. “This will wash the taste away.”

  He gulped thirstily but when he lowered the cup he was frowning.

  “Tess…” His deep voice was stern. “This is terrible. You cannot tell me this is what you eat for first fare here.”

  “Well…” She bit her lip. “We do…we just don’t pile it all up like that.”

  “But the male in front of me—”

  “Was some kind of weirdo,” Tess assured him. “But actually, most of what you have here is salty—it wouldn’t have been too bad if you hadn’t topped it off with blueberry syrup.”

  “But I thought…” He sighed and shook his head. “Never mind what I thought—obviously I was wrong. But you should have told me.”

  Tess bit her lip. “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. It was such a nice gesture.”

  “I would rather you be honest with me and risk injuring my feelings than tell me a lie just to make me feel good.”

  Tess squirmed in the tiny, hard hotel chair. If only he knew…

  “I’m sorry,” she said, looking away. “It’s just…been a long time since anyone thought enough to bring me breakfast. I didn’t want to spoil it by complaining.”

  “Oh, Tess…” Garron ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I just wanted to provide for you, I’m sorry if I did it wrongly. It is…” He looked down. “It is a Kindred warrior’s instinct to provide for a female he is protecting. To feed and nourish her and be certain she’s comfortable. But I failed.”

  His words touched her heart and she stood to face him.

  “Garron, honey, I don’t care about this crazy blueberry-sausage-gravy-waffle surprise thing you whipped up. You sold the shirt off your back to make sure we had enough money! And you’re staying here instead of going back to the Mother Ship just because you feel guilty that Pierce—”

  “It’s not guilt,” he interrupted her, his eyes flashing turquoise fire. “I still intend to live up to my vow but I want to stay with you, Tess. And I’ll do whatever is necessary to be certain you’re provided for and safe.”

  “Thank you.” Her heart swelled at his words. Impulsively, she stood on her tiptoes and flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much, Garron.”

  For a moment he just stood there, arms hanging by his sides as though he wasn’t certain what to do. Then he put them around her, pulling her close until every angle of his hard, firm body was pressed against hers.

  “Gods, you’re so beautiful and soft,” he murmured into her hair. “I’ve been wanting to hold you like this again, body-to-body, ever since I had to let you go aboard the Mother Ship.”

  “Oh, I…” Tess felt a little shiver of desire and fear go through her as his hot breath stirred the hair at the sensitive side of her neck. There’s no casual hugging on his planet, she reminded herself. He probably thinks I’m coming on to him.

  If the long, hard ridge she felt digging into her belly was any indication, that was exactly what Garron thought. She tried to move away from it, but somehow she found herself pressing against it instead. Was he for real with the size of that thing? Surely no one could be that well endowed. She had a mental image of letting one of her hands trail down to cup his hot length and see for herself…but no—that was wrong. Dangerous. She needed to put a lid on this.

  Before she could say or do anything though, he pushed her gently away.

  “Forgive me.” He took a deep breath. “I swore to myself last night that I would keep the vow I made to remember Nella—that I would try not to touch you again. But I seem to have made a bad start.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Tess cleared her throat. “I just wanted to give you a hug to say thank you—for being so considerate and thoughtful.”

  “Oh, of course.” He nodded briefly and looked away. “A hug.”

  “I’m sorry if it seemed like…if I…” Tess didn’t know how to finish. She took a step back, feeling hot all over with embarrassment. Did he think she was leading him on? Trying to seduce him? He said he was trying to keep his vow and here I go hanging all over him wearing nothing but my nightshirt and panties. God, what he must think of me…

  Slut, whispered Pierce’s voice in her head. You little whore. She took another step back, biting her lip.

  Garron sighed. “Well, I suppose I should take my shower now. We have to leave here soon.”

  “Oh. Of course.” Tess nodded quickly. No matter what she seemed to feel between them, the big Kindred was off limits. She would do well to remember that.

  Garron gave her one last, intense look that seemed to burn her up from the inside out, and then headed for the bathroom.

  Tess watched him go, feeling like her entire body was blushing. God, why did he affect her so strongly? And how was she going to manage being holed up with him in a little cabin in the woods for who knew how long?

  Chapter Twenty

  “Think hard, Maria…I know you were on duty last night. Were there any unidentified Kindred who came down after I left
with my suspect?” Pierce stared at the little desk clerk intently, giving her his best intimidating cop face.

  “I…uh…” She looked at him uncertainly. “I’m trying to think.”

  “Just take your time.” Pierce switched at once to his charming good cop persona. He patted her arm though what he really wanted to do—what the little bitch deserved—was grab it and twist it roughly until she shrieked the information he needed.

  “There was someone. A big guy—well, they’re all big guys.” Her hands fluttered expressively.

  “They sure are. Put any pro linebacker to shame.” Pierce laughed heartily and the girl joined in, a little hesitantly. “Do you remember what he looked like?”

  “Uh, yes. Yes I do.” She smiled, obviously more relaxed. “He had black hair—like so black it was almost blue, you know? And eyes like…” She shook her head. “I’ve never seen eyes that color. Not even on a Kindred.”

  “What color?” Pierce fought to keep the jovial smile on his face. Hurry up you little bitch! Hurry the fuck up!

  “Turquoise.” The girl got a slightly dreamy expression on her moderately pretty face that made Pierce want to slap her. “A really pure, clear turquoise—like the color of the water in a tropical ocean by a coral reef—you know?”

  “Right—sounds really distinctive.” He nodded helpfully. “And that’s the only Kindred that came through last night?”

  She nodded. “He seemed to be looking for something or someone. But he never came and asked for help—not from me, anyway.” She frowned. “Come to think of it, though, he did talk to Di—she’s one of the supervisors. She deals with…”

  Yeah, I know what that meddling old bitch deals with, Pierce thought, keeping his face blank as the girl rattled on and on. She deals with stealing my fucking wife away. The bitch had done it once before—Pierce was certain she was the one who had helped Tess get up the courage to walk out on him after she lost the…after the incident. And he was pretty sure she was the one who had loaned Tess the money to get an apartment so she had someplace to stay that wasn’t Chez Hughes. Oh, yes—he had known he would find Di at the bottom of this if he kept digging. It was a fucking foregone conclusion.

  “So your supervisor—Di—she left with this big Kindred with the blue eyes?”

  “Yes, they left together. But his eyes were Blue-green. Turquoise.” The girl had that dreamy look on her face again that Pierce wanted to wipe off with his fist.

  “Yeah, all right. Turquoise.” He curled his hand into a fist at his side and smiled charmingly while his nails bit into the meat of his palm. “Did you hear them say where they were going?”

  “No, but Di’s in her office now. I can get her if you want to ask.” The girl started to go but Pierce stopped her with a hand on her forearm.

  “No, that’s not necessary.” He couldn’t talk to Di here—not in public. Not where other people could hear him. It would be easier to catch her at her house. He could be so much more…persuasive there. “I think I have everything I need. Oh, except the Kindred’s name—I know you must keep a log of everyone who comes and goes. Can you give me that?”

  “Sure.” The girl was already tapping away at her computer. “Just a second…here we go. Garron.” She looked up. “No last name but they don’t always have them. Just Garron. Sounds almost French, huh?”

  “Uh-huh.” Sounds like the alien bastard who’s fucking my wife.

  “Of course it’s not French—it’s Kindred—that goes without saying. But some of them have such unusual—”

  “Hate to cut you short, my dear, but I need to run.” Pierce flashed her another charming smile. “But I tell you what, let’s just keep this little conversation between you and me—okay?”

  “Okay.” She nodded eagerly.

  “Good.” Pierce patted her hand. “You’ve been very helpful. Thanks so much.”

  “You’re welcome, Detective Hughes.” She blushed and smiled. “See you around.”

  “I’m sure you will, honey.” He winked at her and sauntered out of the HKR building as though he didn’t have a care in the world. Inside, though, he was seething.

  Fucking my wife…Running off with my property…Goddamn alien scum! His palms were going to be bloody hamburger but Pierce welcomed the pain. It helped him focus on what was important—getting Tess back and punishing her so well she could never leave him again. And as for the Kindred son-of-a-bitch who she had taken as a lover…

  You’re going to pay, my friend. Oh, how you’re going to fucking pay…

  Yes, but first Pierce had a little bone to pick with that meddling bitch, Di. As soon as she got off work, he was going to be waiting for her. It was time he had a friendly little chat with his wife’s best friend.

  Pierce’s nails dug into his skin again.

  Or maybe not so friendly.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “You don’t understand—my daughter is off limits!” Senator Hastings glowered at Chancellor Terex in a way that no doubt struck fear in the hearts of other Earthlings. He was a big man—almost as big as a Kindred—with distinguished salt and pepper hair and a sturdy physique despite his advanced age. His seat on the World Council, the ruling body on Earth when it came to dealings with the Kindred, had been secure for many years, making him one of the most powerful men on the planet.

  In contrast to the Senator’s robust build, his daughter was a frail little thing with long, straight black hair she had scraped up into a severe bun at the nape of her neck and big, frightened eyes she hid behind the strange ocular device the humans called “glasses.”

  Terex—or rather, Ur the demon who inhabited him—simply smiled condescendingly. He was quite enjoying being the head of the Kindred High Council and as far as he could see, none of the other Council members suspected him a bit. Little by little he had been pushing—testing the limits of his power and still no one objected to his rulings. This meeting would be a good test to see how much further he could push.

  “Councilor Sylvan, as the voice of this Council I will let you answer,” he said smoothly, turning to the Blood Kindred on his right. “What have we to say about the Senator’s objections?”

  “Senator,” Sylvan began, in a reasonable tone. “Your daughter, Mei-Li Hastings, has been entered in the draft which means that if she begins dream sharing with a Kindred warrior, she must and will be called for a claiming period.”

  “But these are no ordinary dreams!” Senator Hastings turned to his daughter. “Tell them, honey.”

  “I… I hardly know where to start.” Mei-Li swallowed hard and looked down at her hands. She looked frail and delicate, as small as a child sitting at a seat drawn up to the Council table which had been crafted for the much larger Kindred.

  “Just describe what you’re seeing in the dreams,” Sylvan said gently. “All of us here at the table have dream shared with our mates before we met them. We will not sit in judgment of you, whatever you may say.”

  The other Council members nodded and murmured ascent.

  “Well, I…” She swallowed again. “It starts out in a big, dark room. Like a…I don’t know a computer room or someplace technical, I guess. It’s hard to see but there are lights blinking and glowing in the shadows. There’s a smell like…oil or metal in the air. Machinery, I guess. I’ve never had a dream where I could smell anything before but this…it’s such a vivid dream.”

  “Not unusual during dream sharing.” Sylvan nodded, frowning. “Go on.”

  “Well…” She looked down at her slender fingers which were twisting nervously in her lap. “In the dream I know…know there’s something—no, someone in the corner. I don’t want to see him and yet…I can’t help myself. My feet carry me over to him.”

  “And what do you see?” Sylvan’s frown had deepened.

  “I see…” She swallowed again and her throat made a dry clicking noise. “I see what looks like a…a coffin standing against the wall. It’s this big, metal box shaped kind of like a sarcophagus but with wires
coming out of it. And inside it, just standing there is a…” She shook her head. “I don’t even know if I can call him a man.”

  “What does he look like?” Sylvan sounded concerned.

  “He’s huge but that’s not what makes him so scary. He’s got…metal on him. On his face.”

  “Do you mean like a piercing—a metal ring through his ears or nose like some humans get?” one of the other Councilors asked.

  The girl shook her head. “No, it’s like…his face is part robot. I’m sorry, I know that doesn’t make sense but I don’t know how else to describe it. And then…” She took a deep breath. “Then he opens his eyes.”

  “And?” Sylvan asked softly.

  “And one of them is normal—well, as far as I can see in the dark, anyway. But the other is this weird red searchlight looking thing. It glows and it seems to track my movements when he looks at me.”

  “I see.” Sylvan nodded. “And does he say anything? Anything at all?”

  “Yes.” She nodded, ducking her head nervously. “He always says the same thing in this deep, weird voice. He says, ‘You are not authorized to be here. I will find you and make you pay for this intrusion.’ Then I wake up.”

  “Screaming and crying, she wakes up,” the senator put in, rapping the table with his knuckles. “Gentlemen, I know most of you have sons rather than daughters but trust me, when your little girl wakes up crying in the middle of the night from a bad dream, you want to do your best to shoo that boogeyman away. That is why I am here on your Mother Ship today.”

  “I’m not a little girl anymore, Dad,” Mei-Li objected, turning scarlet. “I’m a grown woman with a career and a life.”

  “A life which is about to be taken from you if we don’t do something about it, Mei-Li,” her father growled.

  “But I’m not dreaming of the boogeyman—he’s just a Kindred.” She shivered. “A really strange one, I guess.” She looked at Sylvan. “No offense to your people but I haven’t seen anyone aboard the Mother Ship who looks like the guy in my dream.”