Liz was speaking animatedly to Lexie at the end of the long banquet table. With her varied facial expressions and active body language, he had never encountered a being with so much spunk.
It must be exhausting.
Her pale skin stood in contrast to the raven hair that fell in cascades down her shoulders. Even from a distance, her gentle bone structure made a lovely profile. Her face was almost pixie like with her small nose and dimpled chin. In Ireland, one would wonder if she belonged to the gentle people, until she spoke.
It wasn’t that her voice was horrible; on the contrary, it had a pleasing quality. But Braden wasn’t accustomed to the forceful manner in which Liz expressed herself.
She speaks first, thinks later.
First, she insisted in front of Lexie and Torin that she would accompany him to locate the cure when she first arrived in Erris. Then last night, she did it again when he was talking to Teagan on the patio. Both times, she didn’t ask him if he wanted her company, she just stared at him adamantly with her lash swept hazel eyes. When Liz looked at him like that, his mind blanked until he forgot what he was supposed to say.
The teen was beautiful, but she bewildered and frustrated him. He knew her intentions were good, but there was no way she could go with him without discovering what had to be done. She would be put in danger and that was one thing he didn’t want on conscious.
As it was, he made a deal to appear alone without another damphyr if he wanted to be given the cure. He just hoped they would make good on their promise to deliver the antidote before ending his life.
Braden tried to keep a calm expression despite feeling the constant pull of anxiety. What he wanted to do was take a long run in the woods around Eagle Lake. Maybe even clear his thoughts and have one last hunt. Instead, he forced a smile while standing around like it was any other September day in Maine.
“I see you’re not watching Liz again,” Torin said.
Braden looked away from her and back to his cousins. They were all smirking at his expense.
Teagan sat balancing his chair precariously on two hind legs, his face bright with amusement. “You need to practice being a bit smoother with that one. She’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
Braden shrugged off his friends, “I’m not checking her out.”
“You’ve been caught bro. Take it like a man,” Cian added, giving Braden a playful punch in the shoulder.
“You’re a bunch of girls. You know that, don’t you?” his face was reddening.
Teagan peered at him from over his cheeseburger, “I think you know she’ll just want me anyway, so you’re sparing yourself the heartache.” He took a dramatic bite of his sandwich, and chomped loudly.
“Now you’ve done it,” Torin said grinning. “They’re heading over.”
As Liz and Lexie approached, Braden shoved his hands in his pockets, in a vain attempt to appear aloof. If he admired Liz’s beauty now, it would give his cousins more ammunition for torturing him. He knew they loved harassing him, but he didn’t have the heart for it today.
Lexie automatically went to Torin’s outstretched arms. She hobbled in her walking cast, but it didn’t prevent her from smiling. The two of them glowed in each other’s presence.
Liz stood right next to him, her own soft hands fixed at her sides. Braden breathed in her captivating scent, perplexed that her smell could send such a pleasing ripple through his body.
It wasn’t her blood. She didn’t tempt him to feed. It was something else he couldn’t explain. Embarrassment flamed his cheeks, if his cousins were mind readers, they would show no mercy.
“Did you really locate the cure for my mom?” Lexie asked. The hope in her voice matched the look on her face.
Liz turned her head towards him and for a moment their eyes met. Hers had flecks of gold, the color of the sun streaming through the forest. Averting his gaze, he focused on her friend.
“I’m leaving tomorrow. I may be gone for a while, but I plan on sending the antidote through overnight mail,” he swallowed dryly. “I’m hoping it will do the trick.”
“Have you told the elders?” Cian seemed surprised.
“Actually,” Braden explained, “I’m meeting a friend of my fathers. You know how painful it is for them when he’s brought up in conversation. I’d rather we keep this between us. Besides, if the plans for locating it fall through, at least they’ll still be searching.”
“I can come with you,” Cian offered.
“Braden and I talked about it earlier,” Torin said, shaking his head. “We don’t know if the youngest Serov will be back. I really need you and Teagan here with me to keep an eye on things.”
Braden nodded to Cian. “You should keep an extra eye on Brooke and Theo – they could be targeted since they are friends of Lexie’s.”
With a huff, Ella stood abruptly, knocking her lawn chair over. “So that’s how it is. He’s nothing but a threat to any of you.” Tears rolled from her dark eyes. “You can spare yourselves the concern. He’s not coming back.” Her voice quivered as she turned her back on them.
Braden watched Ella with concern. “If the werewolf comes back, he might be looking to take her with him.”
“What about me?” Liz interjected.
Pretending to barely notice her, Braden glanced over. “You won’t want to make such a long trip.”
Teagan chuckled, “Maybe she would.”
“Liz is a good travel buddy,” Lexie added, rubbing Torin’s shoulder as she sat on his lap. “We went to Disney together.”
“Having Liz as a companion will make the flight go quicker,” Torin looked directly at him, with a crooked grin, he was clearly entertained.
Braden realized where this conversation was going. He needed to redirect it. “I’m leaving the country, she would need a passport.”
“I never leave home without it,” Liz insisted. “The Captain is a Navy man. I’ve flown all over the world visiting him at different bases.”
Teagan brushed the crumbs from his shirt and gave Braden a playful grin. “Since we have to stay, I’ll feel better if Liz travels with you. Unless you want one of the elders to keep you company. My father likes flying; I don’t mind asking him for you.”
Feeling backed into a corner, Braden stared up at the sky and wished it would open up and swallow him. He knew his cousins were having fun razzing him about Liz, but he didn’t want to put her in danger.
“Alright,” he said, surprising even himself, “but be ready to leave by dawn.”
Blowing out a deflated breath, Braden knew it was time to drop the subject. If he continued to refuse her, his cousins just might tell the elders about his trip. Seamus and Donovan wouldn’t accept his generalized explanation and Patrick would demand to come with him. Even though they weren’t his parents, Braden always showed them respect. It was bad enough lying to his cousins in order to keep them safe, he couldn’t do the same to the men his father called brothers.
Perhaps, Liz’s presence wouldn’t be so bad. Having her company during his final hours would help keep his mind off the inevitable. Even now while she stood only inches away, the surface of his skin excited in response to her nearness. He would just have to send her home on a return flight as soon as they landed. Rather than leaving a good-bye letter in his room, he would ask her to hand deliver the note.
By the time she gets back, everything will be said and done. At least Ruby will live.
7
DEATH
Death chewed each knuckle and tendon, grinding his teeth against the sinew and bone until he could extract the sweet marrow from within each delectable bite. The grease and fluids ran down his chin, pooling onto his crisp white shirt. The twitching body beneath him had long since silenced.
He loved spilling hot crimson over tile flooring. The way the blood collected in the grooves around each square fascinated him. He would wait until it thickened with knotty little clots before running his tongue along the grout, licking it clean.
&nb
sp; Closing his eyes, he pretended it was the damphyr beneath him. There was nothing like the blood of a half breed. His pallid skin shivered with the fantasy, sending desire through his torso and down into his groin.
His stomach was full of flesh, blood, and cartilage, but it was his throat that constantly burned for more. Pulling his victim’s other hand to his mouth, his teeth stripped the salty skin from the fingers quickly, getting to the delicate meat underneath.
The damphyr finally called. He had been waiting for him to come as promised. He had been fantasizing about the scenario that would finally bring the two together and joyfully anticipated tasting the boy for twelve long years. His sexual appetite was heightened just thinking of the pleasure to come.
He rocked against the cooling corpse. The hedonistic pressure of his weight rubbing against the stiff body filled him with joy. More blood flowed from his meal’s gaping wounds, running in rivulets down the wan skin.
The moment he had been waiting for was coming. Tipping his head back, his guttural moan reverberated against the walls around him.
Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.
8
LIZ
Liz wasn’t averse to flying, but waking up at the butt crack of dawn wasn’t her favorite thing either. She barely climbed out of bed when Braden knocked lightly on the front door. Fortunately, she had packed the evening before, so when he asked if she was ready to leave, she just yawned and followed him out to his truck.
At the airport, the lines were long and she just wanted to get situated on the plane. Thinking longingly of coffee, she pushed her legs to keep up with the damphyr’s quicker stride. After collecting their tickets and watching her squirm through security, Braden led Liz through the airport’s terminal at a break neck pace. As he moved with purpose, she couldn’t help but notice the tension behind his illuminating blue eyes.
Maybe he’s uptight about the time.
When they arrived at their boarding gate, she was surprised to see the plane was destined for Vancouver, Canada and not Ireland like she had expected. She gave him a questioning glance, but he just proceeded to hand over their boarding passes to the agent who was calling their row to be seated.
Riding in first class was a novel experience. When she mentioned paying for her own airfare the night before, Braden wouldn’t hear of it. She expected to be sitting in the economy section where her knees bumped the seat in front of her, but there was plenty of room to stretch out. Even as tall as Braden was, the damphyr had leg room.
Her joy was complete when the perky flight attendant took her breakfast order and brought her coffee. She didn’t appreciate the goo-goo eyes the bleach blonde was bestowing on Braden, but the coffee was good and made a peaceful bribe.
Wonderful, delicious, hot coffee…
Once in the air, Liz began fidgeting with a nervous excitement. She liked her window seat, but was more interested in what was going on around her. Unsure if it was due to the caffeine she slurped down or the bisque colored rubber eggs, she needed entertainment.
Liz turned to face Braden. He was sitting upright and staring straight ahead with a pensive expression.
“Was there a reason you told your family we were traveling to Ireland instead of Canada?” she blurted. Braden didn’t flinch. “You could have at least mentioned it to me. What if I had a strong hatred against Canadians or was banned from entering the country or something?”
“You could have refused to get on the plane,” he answered simply.
“So, is being cryptic your vampire power or something?”
Braden cocked his head to meet Liz’s gaze. “Do you have to talk so loudly? We aren’t the only passengers on this plane.”
Liz edged her face closer to his. “I really don’t think anyone cares what we are talking about.”
She sat back and studied him, “You know – you aren’t exactly what I expected of a vampire.” She caught his eyebrow go up. “Excuse me, damphyr. You’re a bit on the preppy side.”
Leaning his head back against his seat, he sighed. “I’m sorry to disappoint.”
Liz bit on her lip. Braden wasn’t a disappointment. He was actually…cute. As far as the male species went, he had every physical feature a girl could desire and then some. He was over six feet tall, muscular, and had a handsome face. But more than that, Braden had integrity. She could see it in the way he spoke to others. Not just to his family, but to the airport personnel and to her. It wasn’t a quality she often found in other people. Especially in guys who were naturally big and strong. Somehow, he skipped the big jock ego trip. It was refreshing.
Plus he smells amazing.
She didn’t know if he had discovered the world’s best cologne or if it was natural, but she couldn’t help but notice he smelled really good. Kind of woodsy, kind of like peppermint. Whatever it was, it mixed with his chemistry and she found it alluring.
The flight attendant swooped over him, her ample chest bouncing unnecessarily close to his face as she pretended to adjust his headrest. Liz noticed Braden stiffen as his mouth tightened into a straight line. Instead of gawking, he quickly averted his eyes to Liz’s. His face appeared stripped down, almost vulnerable.
He’s hungry.
Maybe Braden was more of a vampire than she gave him credit for.
After the woman moved on to her next victim, a man in a stylish grey suit in front of them, Braden visibly relaxed.
Liz had learned the night she met him that the coven didn’t drink from humans, only animals. Watching the serious damphyr beside her, she realized for the first time it was a choice.
Liz leaned back over, this time keeping her voice a hushed whisper. “You don’t.”
“Don’t what?” he asked.
“You don’t disappoint,” she said honestly. “You’re just different than I expected.”
He smiled, causing her heartbeat to hasten. “What did you expect?”
She didn’t know whether to look in his eyes or at his perfect mouth. “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I guess someone dark and dangerous.”
Braden’s hand snaked out and caught her wrist. Surprised with how quick he moved, she sat frozen and just watched as he trailed his fingers along the vulnerable flesh of her inner arm. His fingers left a wonderful warming sensation trickling deep into her skin.
“I can be dark and dangerous sometimes,” he whispered, his intense blue eyes holding her in place. The slight huskiness of his voice made her breath catch, but she gently pulled herself free from his hold.
Liz swallowed; completely stunned by the physical reaction she had to his touch. He wasn’t the first attractive guy she had ever been around, but he was the first to make her melt with a single stroke of her skin.
For a moment, she thought he would kiss her. What shocked her more was that she would have let him.
What was it about Irish guys? The only guy she allowed herself to fantasize about was Danny O’Donoghue, the lead singer from The Script. But he was unreachable and safe to have a thing for from a distance. Braden was right beside her and leaving her acutely aware of his presence.
Sitting back in her seat, Liz willed her heart rate to slow down. The damphyr was full of surprises.
As sexy as he was, she had to keep focused. “So, what is the cure?” she asked, breaking the moment. “Is it an actual medicine or more like an herb?”
“I don’t know,” Braden said, sounding suddenly tired. “Someone my father used to know has access to it though.”
Liz’s mind hummed in wonder about Braden’s father. She had noticed while staying in Erris, that his parents were the only ones she hadn’t met.
From snippets of conversation, she had gathered that his mom stayed in the little guest house above Teagan’s folk’s garage despite owning her own sprawling house on the same secluded street as the others. The last one on the left, the place sat empty, although no one would notice walking by. Like the other coven member’s homes, the lawn was lovely and kept perfect.
> “Where is your dad anyway,” she asked, twisting a strand of her ink black hair with nimble fingers.
“He passed away when I was six. He left to buy my mother a Christmas gift and never came back. All we knew was that he was supposed to be gone for the weekend.” Braden’s haunted eyes rested on her. For a moment she just stared back, taking in the beauty of his irises framed by thick golden lashes.
“Are you sure he died?” she asked, thinking how her mother also left, but by choice.
“When his life ended, the fate-partner bond he and my mother shared broke. That’s how we knew he passed on.”
Liz glanced away. Braden’s admission was startling. In all of her preconceived notions about his glorious life, she hadn’t considered what would happen if one of the damphyrs died.
If Braden was eighteen, he had been living with this sadness for twelve long years. He would have remembered having his Dad as a part of his life. Liz resented her mother for leaving her as an infant, but at least she didn’t grieve what she never had.
“I’m sorry,” Liz offered softly. “It’s hard growing up without a parent around. My mother left me and my father when I was a baby. Not that I blame her,” she shrugged her shoulders, “the Captain is a tool. But it would have been nice having a mother, especially each time we moved to a different Naval base and I had to start over again in a new place and with a new nanny.”
Braden placed his hand over hers. His touch once again sent disquieting tingles through her. “You aren’t a disappoint either. You’re much sweeter than I expected.”
“Well, sweetness isn’t my strong suit, but after all you’ve done, I figured I’d spare you my usual cantankerous ways. You’ve figured out how to save Lexie’s mom. I can’t thank you enough for that.” As the words came out breathlessly, she tried ignoring the pleasure of his caress.
Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series) Page 3
