“During a fight or sex.” His voice lowered to the growl he’d uttered just before deepening their earlier kiss. Something skittered through her belly in response.
“Oh.” Her mind flashed, unbidden, to his fangs. And sex. Her heart thumped once. Hard. “Why?” She stopped fighting. For the moment.
“Why what?” His thumb traced heated circles on the pulse point of her wrist, his golden gaze dropping to her neck.
“Why Janie? Why do they want women with odd abilities?”
Talen ran a hand over his jaw, his eyes returning to her face. “Janie’s special. You know that. Her psychic abilities are the strongest we’ve ever seen.”
Cara straightened her spine. As fear cascaded down it. “But how do you know? How did they find her?”
Talen scowled. “Both races can sense such abilities in humans, but we need to be in close proximity to do so. We don’t know how they found Janie. It could’ve been a fluke, but I doubt it.”
“How did you find us?”
“We have sources in the Meridoze gang; we heard about the extraction plan just in time.”
Cara stamped down on the panic fighting to rise. “Your peace has ended?”
“Yes. We were at war for hundreds of years until we both suffered too many losses. A treaty was signed prohibiting any contact with humans.” Talen shrugged. “Peace lasted much longer than anyone predicted.”
Cara narrowed her eyes. “You don’t sound sorry peace is over.”
Deceptively normal canines flashed in a grin. “We were made to fight. Plus, living among you, yet having no contact, has been difficult. We need humans.” Golden heat ran over her face.
“For blood.” Nausea rose within her.
“That too.” His voice lowered.
Everything in her stilled, and even her heart may have stopped for a second. She lacked the focus to block the feelings coming from him now. “What else?” Her voice cracked.
“Both races are born male. Only. Our mates are human. And Cara”—his voice dropped to a rumble—”you’re mine.”
Chapter 3
This time Talen let her go.
Cara jumped up, knocking over the narrow chair. “Not a chance in hell.” She didn’t recognize the snarl echoing in her own voice. She was in a safe building protected by the U.S. Marshal’s service, for goodness’ sake—she had nothing to fear here.
Slowly, Talen pushed to his feet and strolled across the conference room.
Cara took a step back, her breath hitching.
Smiling, he leaned against the closed door.
She’d need to go through him to get out. God, he was huge. Even if she had known how to fight, she doubted she’d stand a chance when faced with such size and obvious strength. A feminine fear and a flutter she refused to identify whispered through her.
“I won’t hurt you.” His voice lowered, deepening to a tone that increased her flutter. He relaxed his stance against the door, his muscled arms crossing. “I won’t let anyone harm either of you. Ever.”
Okay. Fine. He was too big for her to fight, but she did have a brain. “Listen, Talen,” she kept her voice soft, soothing. “It’s great your dating pool just opened up and all, but I’m not looking for—”
A dimple winked in his cheek, stopping her words. She fought to keep her tone mild. “Am I amusing you?” Her chin lifted.
“Yes.”
“Why?” She could even feel his amusement in the air, damn it.
“Your people. I’ve never understood why you ignore fate. She has her own plans.”
“Fate?” He was throwing destiny at her? Come on.
He nodded. “Fate.”
“Wow. That’s poetic, Talen.” Sarcasm replaced the softness. “But there’s no way fate is involved here.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Prove it.”
“Okay.” He lifted his right hand, palm out. A crest, an intricate one, spread across his calloused skin. Thick and black, a webbing of arcs together formed a knot with what might be an elaborate K in the middle.
“A tattoo?” She quirked an eyebrow, wondering if he had other tats on that magnificent body.
“No. A brand of sorts. It appeared earlier after I took your arm.”
“A brand?” She snorted. “Bullshit.”
Talen shrugged. “It’s true, Cara. The mark usually doesn’t appear until the mating act, but there are exceptions.” Golden eyes pinned her. “Our bond must be strong.”
“No.”
Talen lifted a shoulder.
Her mind rebelled at the physical evidence before her eyes. “I said, no. I choose to ignore your fate.” How could the mark have appeared? Conviction sat easily upon his face and her stomach rolled at the question of how far he’d go to follow his fate.
“That is your choice,” he agreed.
“Damn straight.” She searched his face for a trick, determination tightening her own jaw. A raised eyebrow met her glare. “But, you don’t know anything about me. I could be married.”
“You’re not.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugged. “My brother Dage shot your file to my smart phone.”
Smart phone? Vampires used smart phones? Come on. “Where were you?” Damn her curiosity.
“In a meeting with my other brother, Conn.”
Geez. Sounded like a family-oriented creature of the night. Or day. Or whatever. She tried another tack. “Besides, I have a date tonight.”
She wasn’t sure what her goal was, but she didn’t reach it. A genuine smile played across his lips, and he uncrossed his arms. “You’re not going to make it.”
She inhaled the thick sweetness of the impatiens, trying to calm her nerves. Trying to clear her head. Most men relaxed when they smiled, became more approachable. With Talen, a showing of teeth seemed like a warning. His gaze ran over her face and her skin flushed in response. Enough. A creeping anger started to burn in her belly. “Get out of my way so I can get my daughter.”
A slow shake of his head skittered unease down her spine. “While you may choose to ignore fate, the outcome of this day is inevitable.”
“Outcome?” She hated the quiver in her voice.
“We will be married before leaving this building and mated before another dawn emerges.”
“I. Said. No.” She fought the urge to grab the chair off the floor and chuck it at his stubborn head.
“You may choose to ignore fate, and you may choose to ignore your own abilities, your own intuition that would tell you this is right, but”—angry green flecks swirled through the molten gold of his eyes—”you have no choice when it comes to the safety of your daughter. It is paramount. As her mother, you know that.”
She stumbled back a step, fury slamming through her. “You’re threatening my daughter?” Panic warred with her rational mind, and her breath caught. She needed to get to Janie. Now.
Talen straightened to his full height. “Hell, no. The most sacred duty I’ll ever have is protecting that child.” The green flecks in those eyes overtook the gold. “And any others we may have.”
“I don’t understand.” Chaos and pure denial swirled through her brain.
“That’s because you’re not being rational.”
“Rational?” Her voice rose to an uncomfortable shriek. She wasn’t a woman who shrieked, damn it.
“Yes. Stop for a moment and think. The treaty’s over. You and Janie have been discovered. You are a potential mate, one the Kurjans will do anything to acquire. You don’t want that, Cara.”
“I can keep my daughter safe.” Her eyes widened as he laughed. He actually laughed.
“I took you in less than three minutes, and that was with keeping you from harm. With not scaring Janie. You can’t protect her. Hell, your government can’t protect her. Face it Cara, I’m all you’ve got.” He straightened his stance.
She took another step back. “If our government isn’t helpful, why are we here? Why are we meeting with them?”
“I didn’t say they weren’t helpful. I said they can’t protect you. They do come in handy for a good cover story, which you’ll need. Since you just disappeared.”
Disappeared? Oh God. A sob rose in her throat, and she stamped down on the fear. Who was going to water her plants? She scrambled to reason with him. “I’ll hire you.”
“I don’t need money.” He pushed away from the door.
Toward her.
“If what you say is true, and I’m not saying I believe it, but, even so, if I marry you, the Kurjans would still want me.”
“No. You only get one mate, darlin’. You’ll be safe as soon as tomorrow. They won’t be able to touch you. Literally.” Two slow strides and he stood less than a foot away.
She lifted her head to meet his eyes, refusing to retreat another step. “Why?”
Talen pushed a curl off her cheek. “Chemicals. Something exchanged during the mating act.” Another step and his energy swam over her, through her. The scent of man and purpose mingled with spiced pine to dance over her skin.
The gold of his eyes held her in place. Her heart started to thrum. His hand cradled her chin and those eyes dared her to stop him. Tension threaded through the room, and a buzzing began between her ears. She opened her mouth to say something, anything.
He lowered his head. Then, fire.
Firm lips heated hers, taking her under. His other hand moved to the small of her back. He pressed her closer. Into impossible hardness. Lava washed through her and she slammed shields into place, but this passion was her own. She couldn’t shield herself from within.
He bent her to fit him, his mouth taking hers with a hunger barely checked. She forgot where she was. Hell, she forgot who she was. She returned his kiss, whimpered deep within, and pressed into pure strength. Her body softened as his hardened.
Still, he went deeper.
His growl echoed in the blood racing through her veins. He pivoted, lifting her onto the table. Her butt slapped hard wood as he stepped into her, one hand fisted in her hair, the other holding her upright. Her knees clenched his hips, and his tongue took hers, fiercely and without question.
He lifted his head, and she could only stare, bemused. The green dominated the gold in his eyes. How was that possible? A dark flush worked its way across his high cheekbones, and his canines dropped low and sharp.
Alarm cut through her desire, her body froze, preparing to flee. Her heart galloped into a run, and her mouth went dry. “Wait.” She started to struggle.
Talen lifted his head toward the door like a wolf catching a scent. He released her and stepped away. “They’re returning.” His canines retracted again.
Cara jumped off the table to straighten her hair and clothing. What in the hell had just happened? Good God, she’d kissed him like the truth to the universe existed on his tonsils. Her breasts still ached heavy and full—for him. A deadly stranger with fangs—one who could probably kill her without breaking a sweat—and she’d kissed him like he was hers. She needed a shrink.
“Still questioning our bond?”
She concentrated on the closed door, refusing to look at him. “We don’t need to get married.”
“Yes, we do.”
“You believe in marriage?”
“No. Our mating rituals predate your marriage. But I find I want your vows.” He watched the door as well. “Since I can hear our minister with the director, you might want to accept that fact now.”
“Talen—” There had to be some way to reason with him.
“Janie isn’t safe until we reach my headquarters. Only mates are allowed to know its location, and we’re not leaving until you give those vows, Cara.”
Her mind scrambled for some way out of this mess. There was nothing but the need to keep Janie safe. “Fine,” she spat, “but my taking vows doesn’t mean anything else, Talen.” The walls closed in on her, and she stifled the urge to scream her head off. Like a mouse in a maze, her gaze darted around the room searching for a way out.
“You think you’ll say no, darlin’? After that kiss?” His deep chuckle sent her temper spinning.
“What kiss?” she retorted.
His second chuckle echoed louder than the first.
A small beep made her glance toward Talan’s watch where he pressed a button. “My brother has arrived to pick us up. Are you ready to get married?” The deep hue of his eyes met hers in challenge. The door opened, and Janie skipped in before the director and a round man in black robes.
Cara’s heart stuttered and then melted as Janie ran into her arms. Instinct and love washed over her—she’d do anything to keep her daughter safe. Even marry a vampire.
“I’m ready.”
Less than an hour later, Cara signed the license for the minister wondering if the document would be recorded. Anywhere. The marriage ceremony had taken place quickly in the small conference room. Talen uttered his vows in a deep, sure voice while holding her hand in a large, gentle grip. Janie had all but danced with glee at her side. Then Talen wrapped a warm metal cuff around her left wrist. She attempted to study the intricate pattern inlaid on the thick copper but had been interrupted when the justice told Talen he could kiss his bride.
He gripped her chin with one warm hand, his eyes darkening to burnt gold as he leaned down, pressing her lips with his. It was a hard, quick claim; a promise of more to come, sending a rush of heat through Cara which nearly doubled her over. She was so damn unprepared for this.
“Very well folks,” Director McKay brought Cara out of her reverie. “Talen, I need you to finish signing the new agreement in my office and Cara you need to sign your program papers with Marshal Nelson.” The director nodded toward a wiry marshal, who had arrived at the conference room in a bustle of papers.
Cara’s mind refused to focus. “Program papers?”
“Yes. We need to put you formally into WITSEC before we lose your file. That way we can explain to any family and friends that you saw a gang hit go down and needed to be relocated.” The director rehashed the cover story they had invented for her earlier. He scrutinized his watch. Probably wishing this day was over.
“All right, come on Janie.” Cara turned to go, forming a plan for their escape—after they left the secured government building. They’d take the elevator to the bottom floor and steal a car. Talen was wrong. She could keep Janie safe. They only had to get to her sister Emma.
“No. I want to go with Talen.” Janie screwed her face up in an expression promising a fight. Cara sighed. Her daughter needed a nap.
“She can come with me.” He moved forward and took Cara’s arm. “You stay with Nelson, and I’ll meet you in his office in a few minutes.” She tried to jerk her arm away, but Talen’s grip tightened on her as his eyes focused on her face. “I’m serious, Cara. From here to Nelson’s office only. The Kurjans have allies all around you.”
“Fine.” She needed to get the formalities over with so she could make a break for it. Talen released her arm. Her small daughter skipped forward and took Talen’s hand to lead him out the door behind the director. Talen shortened his strides to match Janie’s. At the end of the hall, Talen turned, giving Nelson a hard warning look before following Janie into the room.
Panic filled her at being separated from Janie. She soothed herself with the instinctive knowledge that Talen wouldn’t let anything hurt her daughter. However, she was no longer certain of her own safety with the man.
“This way, Ms. Paulsen.” Nelson swallowed and gestured her toward the elevator. “I mean, Mrs. Kayrs.”
Irritation jumped under her skin, and she yanked shields back in place. “Is there something you’d like to say, Marshal Nelson?”
“Oh, well, no.” He punched in a lower floor number, something near his left foot capturing his muddy brown gaze. “It’s just, well, they’re such barbarians. I mean, they kidnapped the director three years ago, call all the shots, and won’t even tell us where they live. They’re cavemen with superior technology. The
y won’t even share that technology with us!” Nelson took a breath to continue his rant and then slammed his lips together when the doors opened. Two large marshals entered the elevator, crowding the small space.
As the car descended, one of the men smiled at Cara with a perfect row of even, white teeth. She automatically returned the smile until she met his eyes. An uneasy warning trilled in the back of her mind. The feelings swirling through him contained a darkness she’d never encountered. Her shields slammed up.
She swiveled to warn Nelson just as the other marshal pivoted, shoving him against the side wall, injecting him with a small needle. She started to scream as Nelson fell to the floor and then, with a quick pinch to her neck, there was nothing.
Chapter 4
Groaning, Talen finished signing the last of the legal papers while Janie happily colored pictures of ponies beside him. His brother Dage owed him big time for appointing him liaison to this agency. The metal building housing the secret U.S. Marshal base hoarded heat like a miser with gold, and he wanted out. The third floor was even more stifling than the lower ones with the sparse conference room. He was anxious to get his new family home and claim his mate.
Suddenly, his watch blinked an insistent green. He pushed a small button on the side.
“Why the hell do we have you traveling away from the pick-up spot at a quick rate?” Although he phrased it as a question, his brother’s deep voice sounded more irritated than curious.
“What?” Talen’s heart thumped.
“We. Have. You. Moving. Away.” Dage’s voice went from irritated to pissed in a heartbeat. He was well known for disliking surprises.
“Fuck.” Talen jumped to his feet and picked up a startled Janie, running for the elevator. The door slid open, and he wasn’t surprised to see Nelson unconscious on the floor. Talen dodged inside as the director swiped a card over a small window before leaning down to make sure Nelson was still breathing.
Talen didn’t spare a glance at the fallen man. An odd clenching of his gut caused his breath to hitch and a ringing sound to fill his ears. Fear? Brittle pine filled his nostrils, and his eyes started to burn.