by Colt, Shyla
“What happened this morning?” he inquired.
“I spoke with my mom. It didn’t go well.” She rested against the cool window.
“You stood up for yourself?”
“I did.” She shook her head. “It was even harder than I anticipated.”
“It’s a lot of change. I know the responsibility you’ve felt toward your mother. You spoke about it often. Holding it in could turn your love to resentment.”
“You don’t think I’m terrible?” she asked tentatively.
“No. You are doing what needs to be done. It’s not always the easiest thing. You, my sun, are loyal and kindhearted. Do not let this world make you hard. The things we’re forced to do aren’t who we are.”
She took his words to heart. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”
“I’ve been around a long time. It makes one explore questions closely. I wrestled with my existence for centuries. Why was I turned, and my family perished? Dealing with the battles I’d lost to blood lust. The thing about eternal life is all of your issues come with you. Those from your previous life, and the many years that come afterward. Holding on to every mistake, incident, or misfortune would slowly drive you insane. Sometimes it does.”
“What happens then?” she asked curiously.
“We take care of it before they expose us.” His voice filled with steel. “We keep tabs on it. It’s built in that we know when it’s time to go to ground to avoid mental illness. There’s mental exhaustion that comes over us after a time. Too many years gone by, loss or serious trauma can be a trigger. We keep tabs on the ones whose instincts don’t work. It’s how we first noticed it’d begun to happen more and more frequently.”
“What happens when you’re put into the ground?” she questioned, fascinated by the inside look at vampires.
“Think of it as a coma. One you go into by choice. You can come out of it voluntarily, or be woken.”
“Where do you … sleep?”
“We have safe buildings equipped to hold us that are guarded fiercely.”
“In a coffin?” she squeaked.
“Yes. That rumor is actually true.”
Her jaw dropped. “Do you sleep there all of the time?”
He chuckled. “No. We’re not that medieval.”
After a few moments of silence, she broached the bone of contention between them. “What does the word mate mean to you?”
“Admitting it finally?”
“No, gathering more information.”
He scowled. “Our mates are usually chosen. We don’t feel the biological bond that you do. In our case, things have been different.”
“Because I’m a wolf?” She snuck a glance at him.
“Yes, I think so. It’s new territory for both of us. I imagine we’ll learn together.”
She couldn’t crush the audible hope in his words. When did I become such a pessimist?
They made light conversation as she navigated to the park. The shock of brilliant red, burnt orange, and rich yellows were a personal invitation from fall to join in on the harvest.
She sighed as her eyes drank in the beauty. “This is one of my favorite places to go. The scenery is beautiful, and it’s far enough from White Creek so I can breathe, and close enough not to raise the alarm.” She turned to him. “Do you like it?”
“It’s stunning,” he said, never looking away from her face. Her cheeks grew heated. His intensity for her didn’t waver.
“I want to show you my favorite spot.”
“Allow me.” He was out of the car and at her door in a heartbeat. She smiled as he opened the driver door, and held out his hand. The sincerity behind his actions changed the way she felt about the old-fashioned gesture. There was no posturing, or worry about appearances. He was just a man showing a woman how much he cherished her. Removing the wicker picnic basket, he wrapped an arm around her waist and allowed her to guide him through the park. They hiked their way to a small inlet that housed a baby waterfall.
“Perfect. Allow me to set up.” He spread out a blue flannel blanket and motioned for her to sit. Kneeling beside her, he opened the basket, and she laughed when he pulled out thermoses.
“For my soup lover.”
“I can’t believe you remember such trivial details.”
“Everything you shared with me is stored away and ready to be used.”
She smiled coyly. Was he always this smooth, or did it come from years of practice?
“I can say the same for you.”
“They say all is fair in love and—”
She placed her hand over his mouth. “Don’t.”
Disappointment flickered in his eyes before he gave a quick nod. “You win … for now.”
He pulled out French bread, mozzarella cheesem and a bag of pine nuts.
“What are those for?” She shook the sandwich bag.
“To go with the pumpkin squash soup.”
He’d brought her favorite light lunch, served exactly the way she liked it. If a way to a woman’s heart was through her stomach, he had her at soup lover.
“You might be my favorite.”
He frowned. “Might?”
She threw her head back and laughed. A sudden thought struck her. “Can you eat?”
“I don’t need to or prefer to. It no longer tastes the same to me, and it holds no nutritional value for my body. I came prepared.” He pulled out an all-black thermos along with silver. “This is local apple cider.” He handed her the silver canister. “This is my liquid meal.” He raised his black canister in a mock salute.
She wrinkled her nose. “What does it taste like?”
“Every batch varies, but think of it as wine. Some blood types are dry; others tend to be richer. I like O. Personally, it’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet.”
“And … Where do you get it?”
“Blood banks. We have our own now. We ship. I’m not much for taking from the source these days.”
“I can’t say I ever cared for the metallic tang of blood when we hunt. It’s just a part of the kill. Now the innards?” She licked her lips.
“Heart?”
“And liver. Yummy.”
“Heart I can understand, it’s full of bloody bits.”
“Anyone overhearing us would think we were serial killers,” Joss said with a laugh.
“They don’t know what they’re missing.”
She unscrewed the lid, and he joined in. It was bizarre breaking bread … er, liquids with the man who’d lived inside of her head for so many years. She busied herself preparing her soup, and he unscrewed the lid off his thermos. A metallic and slightly sweet scent hit her nostrils. Inhaling, she tried to see it from his point of view. Hints of iron and an incredibly balanced mixed of vitamins and … was that candy? Her nose twitched. “Does the food they ingest affect the taste?”
“You smell the chocolate? I have a bit of a sweet tooth. The donors don’t know what we do with the blood. They are paid handsomely to donate for medical research which requires they eat certain amounts of specific foods.”
“Evil geniuses.” She swirled her soup, distributing the pine nuts before she began to blow on it and bring it to her lips.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” he remarked between sips.
Flavor exploded in her mouth. The rich, creamy soup sang all of the right notes. Moaning her approval, she leaned her head back and admired the blue sky. It was a sweet first date. First date? Here, removed from everyone else, their relationship seemed easy. But that wasn’t reality.
She shook her head. “What are we doing?”
“Having lunch?” He lowered his drink.
“You know what I mean,” she answered dryly.
“I’m courting you.”
She cleared her throat. “You shouldn’t.”
“Why are you so sure this won’t work out?”
“Our people have hated each other for an eternity. Where would we go and be accepted?”<
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“We could make our own place.” He shrugged. “Things are going to change soon. Nothing will be how it used to be.”
“You can’t change eons of prejudice and paranoia overnight.” She took a sip of the cider.
“No, but you’d be amazed what people will do to survive. The enemy of my enemy is my friend rings true every time.”
“What would we do?”
“Whatever we wanted. You’ve been trapped here for far too long. I’d take you to see the world or find a piece of land that’s ours to do as we please on. It matters not to me, as long as you’re there beside me.”
“And if you get sick of me, or find I’m not the person you’re placing on a pedestal? I’ve seen what happens when someone forgets that love doesn’t make the other person perfect.”
“I want you just as you are, Joss.”
“I’m having a hard time believing it.”
“Good thing I’m a patient man, then? Hmm?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
She laughed.
“There’s the smile. We don’t have to figure everything out in a day. All I ask is you be here with me completely. No holding back, no pretense.”
“That’s my usual state of existence, Kazimir.” Hiding had kept her sane in a world full of odd, and not quite right.
“Not with me.” He shook his head.
“I’ll try.”
He licked his lips, set aside his thermos, and gripped her chin gently. “You’ll do more than try because what lay between us demands nothing less. We deserve this happiness. I’m not going to let you sacrifice it for some cause you think you need to champion. There’s no reason for us to not have both.”
Fear held her hostage, tightening its chains of doubt and anxiety around her. Pushing past them, she nodded her head and held tightly to the future she’d never imagined possible.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Let’s enjoy the beautiful landscape for a bit longer. I find I’m not eager to share you with others.” His nose brushed against hers.
The tip of his tongue darted out to trace her lips. They parted like petals to the sun. He plunged home, cupping her head with his large hand. He was a thorough kisser, leaving no part of her mouth untouched or untasted. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave in to temptation, burying her fingers into his thick mane. Silky and soft, the strands caressed the pads of her fingers. Her nails scratched his scalp, and he groaned.
Moving their heads, they deepened the kiss, learning, tasting, and teasing one another as the current between them became electrified. He laid her back gently, covering her with his lithe body. Her legs parted, and he sank between her thighs. His muscles flexed, and the bulge in his jeans caused a delicious friction in the area throbbing with need. He was a wind, wild and hot, stirring her soul. She tilted her hips up, seeking more contact, and he fisted her hair. Their kiss moved from gentle to hungry and desperate as they ate at each other’s lips. Grinding together like teenagers, they continued their drugging kisses between pauses for oxygen.
His lips were ambrosia, an otherworldly sweet delight, she couldn’t get her fill of.
He rolled his hips, and her breath stumbled in her chest. An intense wave of pleasure flowed through her body, pushing her closer to the edge.
“Let go,” he whispered, continuing his tantalizing motion.
She spread her legs wider, greedily chasing the high he was delivering. Her stomach clenched and her head swam as she drowned in the power of the handsome man above her. His dark brown pools held her future. She fell into them willingly as her body shook and he drove her to the pinnacle with the rhythmic movement of his hips. Capturing her lips, he swallowed her cry while she trembled, and the world exploded into vivid colors behind her lids.
As her heartbeat returned to normal, she realized she was cradled in his arms.
“You okay?”
“Mmhmm,” she mumbled, nuzzling his neck.
“My little sun, you’re every bit as dazzling as a sunrise.” He ran his hand down her back. “Now I’m afraid we’re reaching the end of my sun tolerance and Nakeeta’s spell. She warned me to be unnoticed and protected without drawing too much attention.”
His words set her into motion. She climbed out of his lap, and together they repacked their things and returned to the car.
* * *
A prickling on the back of her neck, alerted her before she saw the dark-haired vampire rushing toward her in the fading light. Kazimir neutralized him with a hand clamped on his shoulder.
“You don’t want to make that mistake, young one.” His voice was a warning coated in the promise of violence. His eyes were narrowed crimson slits. She shivered. This was not the same man who’d taken her to have a picnic in the park. This was the vampire who survived at all costs.
“You bring a wolf here!” His heavily accented words were full of disdain, as all five-foot-seven inches of his lithe frame vibrated with anger. His cheekbones stood out as when clenched his jaw. The cupid’s bow lips and delicate facial structure made him stunning, but no less powerful.
“She is mine to do as I please with. If you ever move toward her in a threatening manner again, it will be the last thing you do.”
Hackles rising, Joss growled in her throat at the threat the new vampire posed. She felt her eyes shift and her teeth elongate.
“Enculer! Look at her,” the male vampire exclaimed.
“She’s protecting her mate.” The soft voice diverted their attention. An elfin brunette with kind eyes and a dreamy smile walked toward them. The hem of her white gown brushed the ground. Toes peeked out from the hem as she moved toward them.
“What are you doing, Rainer? It’s not safe.”
“Cyprian, it’s okay. She’s the one we’ve been waiting for. Can’t you sense it? The feeling of puzzle pieces clicking into place?” Rainier smiled.
“Non. She nearly attacked me, like some rabid dog.” He turned up his nose.
“You would’ve deserved it,” Kazimir replied. His hand tightened, and Cyprian grunted.
“Enough.” The commanding voice belonged to the curvy, brown-skinned woman in the doorway of the wooden cabin. Her slender face was surrounded by a riot of curls that tumbled down her back. Dressed head to toe in black with combat boots, she looked every inch the fierce warrior. Her magical signature was like a neon sign that flashed the words ‘don’t dick with me’.
Joss drew herself up, wary about the energies surrounding her.
“Nakeeta.” Kazimir bowed his head in greeting.
“We’re all tense. It’s no reason to take it out on one another. Excuse him, his manners are poor, and we’ve been through a lot.” The woman directed a smile her way.
Joss nodded, still not convinced, she was safe among them. A blonde vampire appeared behind Nakeeta. Shorter than Cyprian, he was solid and far more powerful.
“You always did know how to make an entrance, brother.” The man wrapped an arm around Nakeeta.
“Crewe. Perhaps you’d like to collect your … friend.” Disdain dripped from every syllable that left Kazimir’s mouth. She felt his affection and trust for Crewe.
“This is not how we wanted this to go. Please come inside. We assure you, no harm will come to you. Right, Cyprian?” Nakeeta said.
Cyprian shrugged. The fight left his form as his shoulders rose and he held his head high, above all of the drama they’d caused.
“Apologize.” Kazimir released him and straightened.
Cyprian’s jaw tensed. “I’m sorry …”
“Joss. Her name is Joss.”
“I’m sorry, Joss. I’m a little on edge, and I have my family to protect.”
“I can understand that, but I’m not your enemy. This is your one and only pass,” she said firmly.
He inclined his head in silent agreement.
“Now that we’re all friends, it’s time for introductions.” The dark-haired pixie clapped her hands gleefully.
“This is Rainer. Seer, sweetheart
, and peacemaker,” Nakeeta drawled.
Rainer held out her hand, and Joss shook it. “It’s lovely to meet you,” Joss said.
“Likewise,” Rainer said in her strange, lilting tone.
As they headed into the house, Kazimir kept his large frame between her and Cyprian. She squeezed his forearm, lending comfort as they gathered in the living room. The interior was rustic. Deer antlers hung on the wall, and the navy blue and green color theme screamed hunting cabin. A dark brown leather couch, sofa, and two chairs were arranged around a large table covered with a variety of mugs full of coffee and a dark red substance she knew wasn’t wine.
“Well, this isn’t awkward,” Nakeeta muttered.
Joss snickered.
“How about we start with our names? I’m Crewe. This is my mate, Nakeeta, our friends, Cyprian and Rainer. Our companions hope to join us eventually. We didn’t think it wise to be in one place together with everyone seeking us.”
“Who’s everyone?” Joss asked.
“Welcome to team save the world, a ragtag group of witches, vampires, and shifters trying to keep the world as we know it from ending.”
Joss threw her head back and laughed. She couldn’t escape cults. Leaving White Creek had only brought her to this band of questionable characters.
“Maybe you should work on that delivery,” Cyprian said to Nakeeta.
“I’m sorry. You’re serious?” Joss asked, catching her breath.
“Didn’t you tell her?” Nakeeta directed the question at Kazimir.
“Only the bare basics.”
“You know we’re descended from the same vein, and that a spell enabled us to function in the world, with the stipulation that we are regulated to the night?”
“Yes.”
“Well, one of my ancestors, a shaman named Seke, decided he wanted to be the most powerful being in existence, and he set about making it happen with dark magic, blood sacrifice, and manipulating nature.”
Joss tensed. “How did this lead to what’s happening now?”
“When he short-circuited his system, the damage he’d done to the spell only worsened over time. More than that, it’s mutating.”
“The insanity in the vampires?” Joss guessed.
