Provoked

  “I did. I tried to shove one demon’s power back, and he nearly blinded me.” Maybe Amber didn’t have the power she’d thought. “So, I slid the pain and images away and at least shielded myself. Oh, and I shielded Kane a little bit when we held hands, I think.”

  Hilde stiffened, gaze cutting to Amber. “You shielded Kane?”

  Squirming on the couch for no logical reason, Amber cleared her throat. “Um, yeah. I mean, I think I did.”

  “Did he mate you?” Hilde’s eyes widened.

  “Mate? No.”

  “Hmmm.” Hilde frowned. “You shouldn’t be able to shield anyone you haven’t mated, sweetie. That isn’t done, I don’t think.”

  “I haven’t mated Kane.” Sure, they’d had sex several times. But if there was no marking, there was no mating. “Maybe the ability to shield other people is my gift and not being able to attack the demons is my curse.”

  “No. I don’t think the ability works that way.” Hilde shook out her curly hair.

  “Why not? I mean, you have curly hair, and I have straight hair, yet it’s the same color and I obviously inherited the color from you. Maybe the gift is used different ways, too.” Amber had promised Kane she’d help save Jase, and she would. But the sooner she figured out how to use her gift, the better.

  “Perhaps.” Hilde’s dark eyes turned shrewd. “You slept with him more than once?”

  Heat climbed into Amber’s face. “Grandma—we already talked about that.”

  Her grandma reached out and patted her hand. “I’m asking because I’ve heard the marking is just one part of a Kayrs’ mating. Along with a good bite . . . and sex. Maybe you’ve started to mate him and don’t even know it.”

  Now that was ridiculous. “Speaking of mating, I’m so sorry you lost your mate.” She couldn’t help it. “You know, Grandpa Dracula.”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Hilde chuckled. “He wasn’t that old. And that chapter of my life is long closed. The second you were born, your mama wanted to give you a normal childhood absent any mind torture or knowledge of war. When she and Elliot both died, I followed her wishes.”

  Love for her grandmother welled up so fast Amber’s breath caught. Her childhood at the eco-village was wonderful but hardly normal. “Did you really believe? I mean, in the village and what we’ve stood for, or was it all a ruse?”

  “Yes. The eco-village was off the map and a very safe place for us, I’ll admit. But our way of life was a good one there, and I truly believe in saving the environment and living off the land.”

  Relief relaxed Amber’s shoulders. “Even so, thank you for giving up your life to make sure I had a good childhood.”

  “Sure.” Hilde patted her hand. “So, I’d like to teach you how to use your skill, but we need a demon to attack first. I mean, our gifts only come into play when there’s demon energy at work. Well, or a very gifted vampire.”

  Like Kane. His mind had to be truly amazing to be able to attack, even briefly. Or maybe it was his empathic abilities—the ones he hated. Amber frowned. There was an idea somewhere muddled in that thought, but it escaped her. Her jaw almost cracked when she yawned.

  Hilde nodded. “Yes, I’m tired as well. Maybe we should get some sleep and work hard to figure out our lives tomorrow. I mean, where we should go next.”

  “I’m not leaving.” Amber steeled herself.

  Hilde sat back. “You’re not leaving?” She frowned. “Are you staying with Kane? I mean, is he the one?”

  “No. But I promised I’d help save his brother from the demons if he helped me find you. I gave him my word.” Hilde had taught her honor from day one, so surely she’d understand how important a promise Amber had made.

  “Too freakin’ bad. You’re not fighting more demons—you said yourself you can’t turn their powers back on them.” Fear slid the color from Hilde’s face. “Not a chance.”

  “Yes, I am,” Amber said gently. “I can learn to use this gift—in time.”

  A gentle knock echoed through the door. “Come in,” Hilde called.

  Oscar poked his head inside and rubbed a hand over his crew-cut. “Ah, Hilde? I found somebody to cover the shifter training tonight. Did you, ah, want to see the new movie the king got for the kids?”

  Hilde blushed a pretty pink. “Of course. Amber is tired and is going to bed, but I’m wide awake.” She bounded off the sofa and headed for the vampire at the door. Once there, she turned and winked at Amber. “Don’t wait up, sweetie.”

  The door shut.

  Amber sat on the couch, blinking rapidly. Where in the world had reality disappeared to?

  CHAPTER 19

  The next morning Amber shifted on the protective paper covering of the lone examination table, throwing off unease at being in the underground lab. Dark rock covered the floor and matching counters held tons of machines she couldn’t identify. A couple of pretty watercolors depicting forest scenes had been attached to the rough walls. They failed to calm her down. She eyed the door. “A mating is forever, right?”

  “Yes.” Kane lifted away from one of several microscopes lining the organized counter and turned to face her. “Though Oscar and Hilde seem to enjoy each other’s company.” Smoothly stepping her way, Kane checked the myriad of wires running from several monitors to electrodes attached to Amber’s scalp and forehead.

  A rhythmic beeping sounded from the monitors.

  It figured Kane would know what Amber was worried about. Darn genius. She flattened her palms on her jeans. “He seems like a nice guy.”

  “Oscar is a good soldier.” High praise from Kane. Frowning, Kane pulled the top of her shirt open to place an electrode near her heart.

  That silly heart began to flutter. Amber shook her idea to concentrate on the conversation and not the warm hand on her skin. “Do we have to do this?”

  “Yes.” Kane added two more electrodes, his voice distracted. “When you touched me at the demon stronghold, you took away their mind attack. Completely. So we need to figure out how it works. Everyone will take turns training you and seeing how your gifts interact with ours.”

  “Sounds like fun.” Not.

  Kane nodded and continued adding the electrodes. “These will measure heart rate and breathing.” He fiddled with the machine, tapping the screen until several lines sprang into view. “The lines show your brain waves, heartbeat, and breaths per minute.” He twisted a knob, and the lines brightened.

  The vampire wore his customary black slacks and silk shirt, the elegant clothing almost masking the fighter beneath. Not even his full mouth softened his masculine features. Even and strong, truly stunning. When she’d first met him, she thought he moved gracefully, like a dancer. Turned out he moved like a predator. The danger in Kane came as much from his sharp intellect as the animal inside.

  She sighed. While she’d dated, she’d learned early on not to lean on a man. This one almost demanded it. “You’re hard to figure out.”

  He straightened to face her, eyes clearing. “Why’s that?”

  Well, she hadn’t quite meant to say that out loud. “You’re so logical and orderly in here. But in bed . . . I mean . . .” Heat climbed into her face until her cheeks burned.

  His gaze heated. “You like me . . . in . . . bed.”

  “Do not. I mean, I don’t like, well, the . . .” God. Could the floor just disappear and swallow her?

  “Being dominated?” His voice stayed calm, amusement lifting his lips in almost a smile.

  Man, he had to go right there and say it, now, didn’t he? She lifted her chin. “No.”

  The air stilled. “Maybe we should test that theory.”

  Her breath caught in her throat at his hungry look. “There’s no need. I don’t like it.”

  Before she could blink, he had her flat on the table, hand on her neck. Leaning down, his mouth covered hers in a kiss. Warmth shot straight to her toes. Keeping her in place, he kissed her thoroughly, completely at his leisure. Pinned, helpless, her body flared to lif
e.

  Instinct propelled her to struggle, and his hand tightened around her windpipe just enough to hint at strength. Damn if her panties didn’t dampen.

  He went deeper, taking her mouth, a low growl coming from down deep.

  She sighed, opening, kissing him back. Need flushed along every nerve.

  His other palm spread out over her abdomen, sending heat inside her skin.

  Slowly, he straightened. A dark flush covered his cheekbones, raw need glimmered in his eyes. Tension emanated around him—from him. Turning his head, he glanced at the monitors, which beeped wildly. “You might want to reconsider that ‘no.’ ”

  There was no need to look at the machines. Her heart smacked hard against her ribs, and her breath came in small pants. “What do my brain waves show?” she whispered. Damn curiosity.

  His smile warmed her entire body. “Brain waves match the rest of your readings.” Sliding a hand around her neck, he helped her to a seated position. “Deep breaths. Good air in, bad air out. Slow the breathing, and you’ll slow your heart rate.” His hand swept down her arm in reassurance.

  The beeping got louder.

  Kane chuckled, stepping away. “Okay. Deep breaths now.”

  Jackass. Closing her eyes, she drew air in her nose and forced her muscles to relax. Slowly, the beeping ebbed to normal. She opened her eyes, a slight headache making her wince.

  “You ready to start?” Kane leaned against the far wall, strong arms crossed.

  “Yes.” Amber shot him a glare. The damn scientist would probably compare her readings when she was aroused to the ones he was about to create. He just had to figure out everything. Of course, he’d pretty much figured her out, now, hadn’t he? She hadn’t even known herself very well. Yeah, he was a jackass.

  He took a deep breath. “All right. I’m going to create a very light attack. You send the images right back at me.”

  Invisible fingers slowly glided against her brain. She shivered. Talk about the heebie-jeebies. An image began to form in her mind, and she gasped. The image was of her nude on the moonlit grass. “I am not sending that image back at you.”

  Charm filled his grin. “That’s all right. I already have that image quite strongly in my head.” Then he sobered. “Okay—here comes the ugly image.”

  A picture of a shiny black widow spider filled her mind. A yellow hourglass covered its dark back, and its long legs twitched along with antennae. Two smaller spiders crawled toward the first one. Amber wrinkled her nose. “I admit I hate spiders, but you’re taking it easy on me.”

  “Not really. Now try to send the image back to me.”

  Nodding, Amber shut her eyes and drew a deep breath. Tightening her eyelids, she tried to hurl the image toward Kane.

  Pain cut into her brain.

  She cried out, both hands going to her head. “That so doesn’t work,” she gasped. Shaking her head, she centered herself and slid an imaginary warm blanket over the spiders. They disappeared.

  Her eyes opened.

  Kane still leaned against the wall, but a puzzled frown made his eyebrows almost meet in the middle. “Hmm.” He moved forward to study the monitors. “Now that’s just odd.”

  “Maybe I’m a shield and not a sword.” Yeah, that sounded a lot like her.

  “Maybe,” Kane mused, reaching for a stack of papers being spit out by a printer. He studied them before focusing back on her. “So you can’t throw images back. Let’s try pain.”

  Dull aches set up around her brain. Her shoulders stiffened, and she blinked several times. Then she softened, allowing the hurt to spread. Clasping her hands together for balance, she mentally shoved the aches toward Kane.

  Instant agony stole her breath. Tears filled her eyes. “Ouch.” The room swayed, and Kane’s face seemed to stretch.

  “Whoa,” he murmured, reaching her and lying her down. The pain instantly retreated. “Okay. Apparently you’re a shield.”

  That wouldn’t help anybody in battle. Well, unless she could help shield him. Pressing a hand against her forehead, she took another deep breath. “I’m okay. Should we see if I can protect your mind?”

  “We don’t have anybody to attack my mind.” He smoothed hair off her cheek, his palm rough. Very rough.

  What in the world? She grabbed his hand, lifting her head to view the palm. Raised and dark, a beautiful Celtic knot wound around with a strong K in the middle. Her heart kicked into full gallop again. The machines started beeping like crazy. “Um. Is that what I think it is?”

  “Yes. The Kayrs marking in all its intricate glory.” Kane kept his gaze on her face. “The brand appeared after I met you. I think it happened during the first night we had sex.”

  Warmth slammed through her. Calm. She’d stay calm. Swallowing, she forced her face into curious lines, an effort dampened by the still ringing machines. “Really? Does the marking’s appearance mean anything?”

  “Yes. I asked you to mate me, and the brand appeared. The marking appears because we want it to appear, and that’s what happened.”

  Well, wasn’t that a logical explanation? Her heart ached. The beeping slowed down around them. Weird. “I see.”

  “My offer still stands.” No emotion showed on his face, and pure confidence lit his eyes. “We’d gain each other’s powers if we mated.” He sighed, his eyes softening. “I like you, Amber. A lot. We would make a good pair, and I’d give you a good life. For centuries.”

  The temptation to live forever warred with her need for love. Sure, she wanted immortality—who wouldn’t? But maybe she could find another vampire, one who loved her. Though the hurt in her heart whispered that she’d already fallen for a vampire. A logical, cold, purely methodical scientist. A silly little part of her wondered if she could make him love her. Yeah, that wasn’t how dumb girls got hurt—not ever. Geez. “Thank you for your very kind, very logical offer. But no.”

  He sighed. “I think mating would be the best course for us both. Please say you’ll think about my offer.”

  Stubbornness lined his jaw. While his words were phrased as a question, the determined set of his head made her wonder. How far would Kane go for what he thought was the best course? How far would he go to save his brother? Amber licked her lips. “I’m not entering forever like I’m signing a contract to buy a car. Period.”

  “Okay.” He gently began removing electrodes from her body.

  Well, he didn’t have to accept her refusal so easily. Sure, growing up without a father, she might have fantasized about love and what it’d be like to finally have a man in her life. “A lot of people have love. I’ve seen Emma and Dage—they’re in love.”

  “I don’t want to argue about love.” Kane finished his task and reached for a notebook, scratching odd equations on a page.

  Amber frowned. “What’s that?”

  “A combination of string theory, quantum physics, and neurobiology,” Kane said absently.

  The paper crinkled more when she fidgeted. Science had never made a lot of sense to her. “Oh. Have you studied all of that stuff?”

  “Yes.” He rubbed his chin, frowning at the paper before jotting down more equations. “I’m not sure how many doctorates I have—the diplomas may be in a drawer somewhere.”

  “Oh.” She started to swing a leg back and forth. The guy probably wouldn’t be very impressed with her GED—the one proudly displayed in her room on the farm. “So, what about Emma? I mean, does she know physics?”

  Kane shrugged, his gaze never leaving his paper. “Maybe some. But her doctorate is in genetics, which has come in very handy. Well, it’s also how the Kurjans found her, so maybe that fact hasn’t worked in her favor. Then again, Dage saved her from the Kurjans, and things have worked out rather well for them. Her sister’s degree is in plant physiology—she always likes to have real plants around.”

  So everyone had serious degrees—the PhD kind. Amber swallowed hard and jumped off the table. “Well, if we’re done here, I’m going to check on my grandmother.?
?? She didn’t wait to see if Kane gave her an absent nod or not. This place wasn’t any different from anywhere else she’d ever been—she once again didn’t fit in.

  Darn geniuses.

  Kane looked up and frowned when the door closed. Where the heck did Amber just go? He shook his head. Man, he hoped she hadn’t been talking to him before she left. The readings on the printouts were fascinating. When he’d kissed her, the lateral orbitofrontal cortex in her brain shut down, which was to be expected since it signified control. Satisfaction centered him—the woman had not been in control.

  In addition, the amygdala in the brain had lit up, which, considering it dealt with emotions, also made sense. Yet when she tried to attack him with pain or bad images, the thalamus lit up. That area was known to deal with sensory information coming in . . . not going out. Now what in the world did that mean?

  Janie slid open the door and glided inside. Her pretty face had gone so pale her lips appeared nearly blue. A much lighter blue than her eyes. “I was trying to meditate and had a vision of Jase. It was seriously dark, and I’m scared.”

  Settling his face into calm lines, Kane tossed the papers on the counter. “This isn’t the place.” Taking her hand, he opened the door and led her through several tunnels to his quarters. Once inside, he settled her in the one overstuffed chair and took the sofa for himself.

  Serenity flowed through his small space from the deep browns of the rug covering rock to the stunning pictures on the wall. He allowed peace to settle his shoulders. As much as he disliked feeling, he opened his senses as wide as he could. Sometimes he could get readings from a talented psychic. “Okay, sweetheart. Tell me what you saw.”

  Janie rubbed delicate hands down her faded jeans. “I saw Jase surrounded by brown rock that kept morphing into faces. The faces told him he was going to die.”