chapter ELEVEN
It was chilly when she woke. Dim. Empty-feeling. And yet, with all that, Jeannette felt absolutely marvelous. Supremely healthy. Happy. She stretched fully, feeling better than she could remember. She was ready to hum.
Amazing.
And weird.
And just where was KayNan?
Jeannette sat, holding what turned out to be KayNan’s jacket to her nakedness, and took stock of the situation while gathering her discarded clothing. She had her skirt, shirt, and a bra that appeared to be missing the shoulder straps. Not much help there. It would never stay up. Her panties hadn’t been lucky, either. They were ripped in more than one place. She tried tying them back together. No. She’d have to lose at least an inch to make that work. Well. Women all through history went without undergarments. She could manage it, too. And thank goodness for the denim jacket! It really wore well.
Her situation looked a little better once she was dressed. Jeannette surveyed the remnants of this morning’s tryst while sitting cross-legged on her bedding. Hmm. Looked like she could also claim the space blanket. She was in a cave somewhere in the Canadian wilderness – or maybe it was the US side – she hadn’t been paying enough attention. Either way, she was probably off a grid. Alone.
“Oh. You’re awake. Sorry. I should’ve been here. I did rush.”
KayNan’s voice accompanied the sight of him as he leaned over the fire. He fanned it with a hand moving so fast it blurred. Obviously vampires didn’t need a bellows. Whatever for, Jeannette? The flames rushed to life, shed all kinds of glow on him, and Jeannette couldn’t even prevent the sigh. He was naked from the waist-up, exactly like she’d first seen him. And he was the most sculpted guy she’d ever seen.
Still.
He opened his other arm and goods of all kinds tumbled out. A dented can rolled toward her, turning out to be cherry pie filling. There was mangled lump that might have started as a package of crackers. A chocolate bar. Several ketchup packets. Or maybe they were hot sauce. And if her eyes weren’t deceiving her, he had two bottles of purified water.
“I got you water. And food.”
“I’m afraid to ask from where,” she commented.
“I followed scent. A bear attacked a cabin, uh…recently. This was some of his haul.”
“A…bear?”
“Yeah.”
“You took these from a bear?”
“Yeah.”
“What kind of bear?”
“I don’t know. Big. Brown.”
“And he…didn’t mind?”
“Oh. He minded. He’s not going to wake for a bit. I almost brought you fresh bear meat. But I didn’t think it a good idea to cook it. Creates a smell even Hunters can follow.”
Jeannette shuddered. “You really didn’t kill it?”
That would be a violation of Rule Number Three. Oh, what the hell, Jeannette. She’d been in violation of her list since she’d met him. She might as well let it go. Rules were for the structured life she’d tried to lead. They weren’t going to do a damn bit of good if she was in love with him.
Whoa. What? She loved him?
Oh no. Oh yes. Yes! Of all the strange times to have that emotion hit. Jeannette should be in denial. Shock. Defiance. Anything other than aglow with the absolute certainty of her feelings.
She loved him!
She’d never had anyone care for her like he did. He’d protected her, cherished her, thought of her first throughout this whole crazy adventure…
And just like that, everything was clear. She accepted it. And him. And a future as a vampire. And everything that came along with that. Because for the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged. She was home. And she loved him massively. And if her future contained the passion and intensity of their lovemaking, well. She didn’t need her gifts to see a lot of pleasure in her forever.
He didn’t act like he knew her train of thought. Or even guessed at it.
She watched him shake his head at her question. Lanky strands of hair accompanied it. He wore it exactly like when she’d first seen him, although the tie at his forehead looked like it had once been lacy bra straps. She narrowed her eyes. And then he turned away to fetch something. The fire lit fully on a huge claw mark, a good eight inches across, scoring his skin from one shoulder almost to mid-back.
She was beside him an instant later, and didn’t even care how she’d moved that fast. “Oh, KayNan! Your back.”
“Sorry.” He ducked his chin and swiveled toward her, hiding his injury. “I thought you knew about it.”
“That bear clawed at you.”
“Oh. That.”
“Doesn’t it hurt?”
“Not much. It’s healing now. Hurt like hell a bit earlier. I told you he’s not going to wake for some time.”
“Let me see it.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’m scarred. Ugly.”
“KayNan.” She waited until he looked at her. Her body gave an instant pulse the moment their eyes locked. Dang! The man had incredible eyes. “We are going to have to come to an understanding, KayNan. You and me. Right now.”
“We are?”
“It concerns your clothing, and the way you wear it. Actually, it more concerns the way you aren’t wearing it. At least, on the upper half.”
“Oh. Sorry. I keep forgetting about my scars.”
Men. Honestly.
“No, KayNan. It’s not about any scars. Those marks are badges of courage. Honor. Integrity. Strength. I can go on. It’s more…about the view.”
“The…view?”
“Yes. The view. You are, without a doubt, the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. I’m a bit awed at the view. And that means, I’m probably not the only one who is.”
He blinked. And the green of his eyes somehow intensified.
“I mean, you’re a bit rough about the edges, but I kind-a like the wild-man, barbarian side. And I’m sure I’m not the only one with that opinion, either. You’re extremely cut. Sculpted. Muscled. Wow. I already said gorgeous, didn’t I? And all that means, the view is jaw-dropping, and you’re to cease it.”
“Jaw-dropping?”
She nodded.
“Me?”
She nodded again. He swallowed. She saw and heard it. And then he grinned. And that got another jerk that went through her entire body. This love thing was amazing. She felt like she was aglow. Again.
“Um…can it wait just a little longer?” he asked.
“Wait? Why?”
“The bear…uh. He got my shirt.”
“And that reminds me. Turn around.”
“No.”
“You’re telling your mate no?”
“Well, I—”
His eyes went huge. And then the sound of a clear moan came through the cave opening. It was loud enough they both heard it and turned toward it. Sounded like his pilot. It was lengthy. And filled with pain. KayNan spoke first.
“Looks like I have to go now. You’ll hold that thought?”
“Is that your pilot?”
“Yep. Sounds like Hunters got to him.”
“They’re that close?”
“Could be. Probably not. Your hearing’s been…uh. Improved somewhat.”
“Well, what are we sitting around waiting for? Here.” Jeannette hissed the words and scooted closer to him, lifting her hair from her neck to bare her throat. She didn’t truly know how it was done, but hopefully the lore was accurate.
“What?”
“Quick, KayNan! Turn me!”
“Now?”
“You heard me! Turn me! That way you only have to deal with protecting him! Can’t you see?”
“But—”
“It doesn’t take long…does it?”
“You have to be sure, Love.”
He called me love. Oh my. Jeannette swallowed time and again on the emotion. It didn’t work. Her eyes filled, blurring him even as she blinked the tears back.
“Oh, KayNan. I am.”
“Totally certain?”
“Will you quit wasting time? That guy doesn’t have your stamina. He doesn’t have your strength. Sounds like he’s ready to talk. You want them to find us?”
“Never. They will never find you. Ever. They would have to come through me.”
“Which is exactly why you need to turn me. Now. That way I can help you kick ass, rather than be an encumbrance. Got it?”
He pulled her right into his lap with a primal, possessive gesture she could get fond of. A glance showed his canines as sharp and lengthy as they’d been before. Jeannette licked her lips, closed her eyes, and offered her throat. A moment later he stabbed into her, the sensation bringing ecstasy to override the pain, bliss that overcame the fire, and happiness that couldn’t be contained.
o0o
They were expecting KayNan. Jeannette was going to be a complete surprise.
She’d been wrong about Vaughn. He appeared to be holding up very well. He was filling the clearing with blasphemy amid the groans. Jeannette winced and opened her vision to encompass the entire area. Tents came into focus. Small ice chests. Back-packs. A scattering of folding camp chairs. A large fire. It wasn’t their only light source. They had lanterns strung up, too. A scan of the area showed why. They’d been busy.
Two men were just finishing up hiding deep pits, each one camouflaged with last fall’s leaves and other forest debris. Looked like…about six traps; spaced about the edge of the clearing. They’d also laced a series of thin wires around their camp, about ankle height. It defined space, set up a perimeter, and made an effective alarm system. It was difficult to see, too, except a flare came from their campfire, glinting off droplets running along the lines. Jeannette stiffened. The droplets were Holy Water.
She didn’t need to ask.
She knew.
She squelched the instant stab of worry, muting the reaction in order to broaden her sight. She sent it wider. Higher. Getting a complete overview…
There!
They had two snipers posted high in treetops, well hidden; looking like little more than dark shapes attached to tree trunks. Stealthy. Unmoving. Furtive. Their mouths were even covered over with facemasks to prevent breath from fogging the air about them. The early evening air was probably chilly. She didn’t feel it.
Jeannette narrowed her eyes to locate Vaughn again.
They weren’t just good at hunting vampires. They’d already killed a small animal. Jeannette wrinkled her nose at the hunter efficiently skinning a carcass hanging from a tree limb. Vaughn was strung up on another limb from the same tree; his wrists roped together, feet dangling. He was shirtless. And he was bloody.
Jeannette’s eyes widened with shock. Dismay. Outrage. They’d been slicing little chunks of skin from him. And…
She stuck a hand over her mouth.
They’d been pulling out fingernails.
Vaughn’s body hung like dead-weight. It probably made the fingers with the missing fingernails even more painful. Jeannette watched blood trails as they meandered down Vaughn’s arms with the slightest stir of something odd. Alien. Surprising. She found herself supremely interested…in the taste.
Ugh.
She was too new to this. She moved her view again. Rapidly. It was better.
There were two more men about the tree. Laughing. Jostling each other. Occasionally poking at Vaughn with their knives. Jeannette narrowed her eyes. That made seven men. All wearing camouflage. Night vision goggles. Strange weaponry. She took in curved bows. Crossbows. Arrow quivers. Spears. Swords.
Crucifixes.
Jeannette jerked back as her eyes got scorched. Burned. Seared. And then KayNan spoke, altering everything.
“Jeannette? Love?”
Arms tightened about her, accompanying his voice. Wait. His arms tightened? Jeannette slit her eyes open slowly. Blinked. Took in the concerned look in KayNan’s eyes. For some reason, they looked more green and intense than ever. She opened her eyes fully. The view didn’t change. It was KayNan. A quick scan encompassed their surroundings. It was dark, and yet everything was easily penetrated. Viewed. And in perfect clarity. Sharp. Lucid. Dank.
Cave-like.
She was still in the cave? But…that couldn’t be. She’d been envisioning. Seeing things. And now that it was over, she should feel weak. Out-of-sorts. Dizzy. Vulnerable. And yet nothing on her felt anything other than wondrously healthy. Energetic. Strong.
“KayNan?”
“You were expecting someone else?”
He grinned, displaying sharp fangs that glistened with dark fluid. Her fluid.
“Where are we?”
“In a cave. Wilderness area. Canadian/US border. Somewhere near the 49th parallel. You want exact longitude and latitude?”
It was hard to resist returning his smile.
“Am I…turned?” she asked.
He cocked his head and studied her for a moment. “I would say yes. Or you have a severe problem with your canine teeth,” he finally said.
This time she returned the smile. And her teeth did feel weird. She’d check them. Later. After Vaughn was rescued and they reached wherever KayNan called home. They could worry over disposition of her apartment and shop later, too. Everything could wait.
“I saw the Hunters. They have an ambush set up for you,” she told him.
She hadn’t even finished before they were on their feet. It was an unbelievably fast move. Invisibly swift. It took her skirt another second or two to fall about her ankles.
Major wow.
“How many?” he asked.
“Seven. Five on the ground. Two hidden in trees.”
“That all?”
“They’ve got pits dug for you and the place ringed with trip wires. Looks like they were pumping Holy Water onto them, too.”
“Hmm. Told you they were smart. And Vaughn?”
“Alive.”
“Is he talking?”
“No. He’s plenty pissed off, though.”
“Pissed off? You know, some of this vernacular is easier than others. Let me guess. He’s angry. Any chains?”
Jeannette scrunched her face. “No.”
“Straps?”
“No…wait! They’ve got straps. On the tents…and on Vaughn.”
“Weighted?”
Jeannette tipped her head to one side. “Can I ask why?”
He winked. That little gesture sent pure reaction rocketing right through her, as if they didn’t have a half-turned pilot to rescue, a nest of Hunters to rout, and a bit of journey ahead.
“I was the Khan’s champion, Love. I’m very good with all kinds of weapons. I can make do with straps, but chains are my specialty. I use them like whips.”
“I know. I saw you,” she replied.
He grinned again. Dang! The man was gorgeous. It was hard to be concentrate if he was going to keep showing it off.
“Yes, you did. Thank the fates. I don’t know how I would have found you otherwise. So…you ready?”
“To rescue Vaughn? Kill some Hunters? Go somewhere…private with you? Heck, yeah. I thought you’d never ask.”
She hadn’t finished before he grabbed her hand and took her airborne. A blink of time later, the clearing came into view. Nothing had changed. It was exactly as she’d seen it. Wow. She could get used to this. Immortality. Flying. Heck. She could truly get used to the view of KayNan, too.
No. She was wrong.
She couldn’t watch as KayNan dispatched the snipers. She didn’t know how. She didn’t want to know. One moment they were amid the trees. The next she could hear the bodies swishing through leaves as they fell. Then she was on the ground, yanking Vaughn’s bonds apart with one bare hand, while supporting him in her other arm without expending a bit of effort.
Okay. Maybe a little effort.
Super strength. Super hearing. Super Sight. KayNan’s lovemaking. Wow. This vampire thing had some real upsides to it…if she ignored the feel of motion about her. The thuds. Choked off screams. Agonized cries. Jeannette looked.
The camp was in chaos, and in the center was KayNan. Silhouetted by the flames, light flickering on his arms and torso as he rotated and swung, decapitating and disemboweling with near clinical precision. The whip of his straps even protected him from their weapons. Every move was a blur of speed. Without vampiric senses she probably wouldn’t have seen him. And then it was done. KayNan stood there. Arms at his sides, hands still gripping the one-inch canvas straps with the lobster claw fasteners at the ends, although now they were covered in gore. All of it proving the value of his word. He was very good with straps. He dropped them, lifted his chin, and then looked across right at her. Wow. That stance would have made a fabulous statue…although nobody was going to get this good a view of him ever again.
Because he was all hers. United. Forevermore.
And dang! He had a great smile.