by Kiki Howell
“Natalya, really. There’s nothing to worry about.” He smiled once more, before he slipped out the door.
The night was cold, scents crystallized in the still air. He walked down the dirt path toward a copse to hunt for game. They’d flushed out rabbits there every time Natalya had taken him hunting, and he was certain he’d find more there tonight, sitting tight in the cold.
He’d grown accustomed to the taste of rabbit blood. It was mild, not as gamey as some animals, but not as foul as the lone rat he’d once caught and drank. Natalya had told him tales of vampires who lived in the larger villages and cities, residing cheek and jowl with humans, who survived on rat alone. A shiver ran through him: no matter how hungry he ever became; never again would he drink from a rat.
Silently he entered the copse, every sense focused on the underbrush beneath the trees. The scent of the rabbit came to him, its blood pumping through the small body. Fear also came to him. The rabbit sensed something, but was frozen in place, not sure what the threat was or where it was. Caine smiled. He could catch the animal in a heartbeat. Of that he was certain. But part of him wanted to test his powers, to see how close he could creep to the animal before it bolted.
He stole through the trees, cloaked in shadows, more still than the air around him. He was within reach of the rabbit, hand extended, fingers brushing against the soft fur.
“Ah, the Nequam hunting. Alone. How interesting.”
With a cry of terror that sounded eerily human, the rabbit burst from the underbrush, Caine’s hand clutching thin air. He caught his balance, spinning around in a crouch. Teeth bared, every sense screaming, he sought the owner of the voice. Gabriel stood beyond him, as if he’d paused during an evening stroll.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, you bastard?” Every muscle in Caine’s body was taut, the urge to fight strong. It took every ounce of control to hold back, to not lunge at Gabriel, to rip his throat out.
Gabriel arched an elegant brow at Caine. “That’s no way to make an acquaintance, is it? I’m surprised Natalya hasn’t taught you better manners.”
“You’re not worth the effort, Gabriel,” Caine retorted. “You did try to kill me, after all.”
Gabriel laughed. “Still holding a grudge over that one, are you? Well, you’ve nothing to fear from me. As you know, the Seethe Mistress has decreed that I am not allowed to kill you, unless I wish to forfeit my life in the bargain. And I value my life very highly.”
Caine frowned. “If you’re not here to kill me, then what do you want?”
Gabriel inclined his head. “Come. Let’s walk. I want to talk to you about Natalya.”
“What about her?” Caine asked warily. He rose slightly from his crouched position, eyes fixed on Gabriel, but he remained where he was.
“Come, boy. Walk with me. You’ll not catch any rabbits here. There’s a clearing further ahead. We can walk there.”
Caine took a hesitant step toward Gabriel. The vampire slipped between the trees, heading back toward the trail. Caine followed, stepping on to the path. Gabriel stood a few paces away, patiently waiting.
“I’m not going to bite, Caine. I’ve already done that. Come, walk with me.”
Caine scowled, but fell in beside Gabriel. They began walking down the path.
“About Natalya. You see, I care about her very much.” Gabriel kept his eyes on the trail. “She thinks my heart is made of stone, but I have long had feelings for her. It is very difficult to stomach the idea that after months of trying to convince her to consider me, you have won her heart so easily.”
“Did you really come out here to tell me that you are jealous?” Caine asked. “I really don’t care what you think about me, or about Natalya.”
Gabriel looked up, his eyes flashing in the darkness. Caine couldn’t tell whether it was impatience or anger. “I simply want to know that by turning away, I am leaving Natalya in the care of the right man. She’s taught you to hunt, but should something happen, will you be able to protect her?”
Caine drew himself up. “I can handle myself.”
“Do you think so?” Gabriel’s eyes gleamed red in the darkness. “You were a young fisherman, and nothing more. What do you know about fighting?”
“I’ve knocked a few heads together in my day.” Caine stopped walking, forcing Gabriel to turn around to speak. The vampire laughed, an unpleasant sound in the dark.
“You are a whelp. You wouldn’t last a minute in a fight to the death.”
They were in a clearing, the path cutting through the middle. Caine’s eyes were focused on Gabriel, but at the edge of his vision, he saw movement. He glanced away to see several pairs of yellow eyes glinting in the dark, forming a rough line behind Gabriel. A chill ran down Caine’s spine. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
“What the hell...” Caine turned, just as the silver glint of a knife passed his face. A fiery trail of pain exploded along the blade’s path—over his chest, his ribs, his abdomen. Blood, his blood, gushed from the wound, running in crimson rivulets down his shirt, and breeches.
“It seems I was right.” Gabriel lashed out, kicking Caine in the stomach. Caine cried out in agony, as he fell to the blood-spattered ground. He curled around the pain that lashed through him, gasping, as the world was suddenly covered with a blood-red haze.
“You barely lasted ten seconds against me.” Gabriel’s voice came to Caine from what seemed a great distance. But closer, much closer, a cacophony of growls and snarls rose into the air, and Caine turned his head, watching with dazed horror, as a pack of massive wolves stepped into the clearing, their long canines flashing wickedly in the moonlight.
“I’m sure you’ll make a fine meal for these beasts. By the way, wolves absolutely hate vampires, and since you’re a Nequam, I’m sure they’ll be more than delighted to feast on your entrails. Or at least half of them.”
Caine rolled onto his back, looking up, as Gabriel smiled down on him. Then the vampire was gone.
Caine tried to struggle up into a sitting position, but the wolves rushed at him from every side, snarling, their fetid breath washing over him, as they sank their teeth into him. He screamed in pain, as their fangs pierced his flesh, splintering bone, and sinew. He did his best to fight them off, but there were simply too many, and he was quickly growing weak. It was all he could do to keep them from tearing out his throat.
He felt himself letting go, the pain fading, as they ripped his flesh, the growls growing fainter. His mind let go, his body going limp.
Then Natalya flashed through his mind. He saw her, sprawled on the bed, naked in the moonlight. Laughing, as he tossed her on the creaky cot, breasts swaying provocatively. She was everything to him, more than just the woman who’d saved him.
She was his life.
“No!” A burst of strength welled up in him from some hidden place. Clawing at the wolf intent on ripping out his throat, he dug his fingers into its eyes. The animal yelped, scrabbling backward, away from Caine’s grasp.
Thrashing with his feet, he knocked away another wolf, sending it crashing into a tree. It fell, and did not get back up.
He gained his knees, as another wolf went again for his throat. He caught it around the neck with both hands, twisting sharply, and the wolf fell to the ground, kicked briefly, growling, and then was still. The other wolves drew back, fangs bared, hatred glowing brightly in their yellow eyes, as they howled their anger.
He stood, gasping, sweat streaming down his face. The wolves retreated another few steps, whining low in their throats. His vision had cleared, the pain receding to a dull ache. He glanced down. His clothes were torn, blood-stained still, but the blood had stopped flowing from his wounds. There was no time to think of that now, but he could feel the torn skin, the rents and gashes from Gabriel, and from the wolves, starting to heal.
The wolves were shifting, uneasy whimpers coming from them. They watched him a moment longer before they melted into the shadows.
; Panting, Caine dropped beside the body of a dead wolf. He was healing, but he still hadn’t fed, and the rush that had given him the strength to kill was now draining from him. Falling to the ground in a senseless heap wasn’t an option. He was in more danger now than ever, from the wolves who’d set upon him, and from Gabriel, once he realized Caine was still alive. And Natalya; Caine knew in his heart that Gabriel was headed straight for her.
He lifted the wolf, bending its head, exposing the neck. The fur was matted with blood, and its hot, coppery tang hit his senses. Lowering his head, he parted the fur, sinking his fangs into the still-warm flesh of the wolf. The blood filled his mouth, rank and sharp, and he drank until he was sated. Pulling away, he grimaced. At least it wasn’t a rat.
He made his way home, back to Natalya, his steps quickening, knowing Gabriel was still out there.
Chapter Seven
NATALYA PACED BACK and forth in front of the hearth, her anxiety mounting. She knew there was no reason to worry. Caine hadn’t been gone that long—maybe an hour, perhaps less. He was strong, and quick, and knew how to take care of himself. She had saved his life, and he might have become her lover, but he was right that she couldn’t continue to hover over him, following him everywhere. He needed to go out on his own, learn how to survive on his own merits. He’d be on his own sooner than either of them cared to think about. She couldn’t hunt his food for him forever.
“This is madness!” She finally threw her hands in the air. Something was wrong, it wasn’t just her irrational fears. She drew a breath, closed her eyes, and sent her mind out to Caine.
Behind her closed eyes, she saw blood.
Striding to the door, she wrenched it open to find Gabriel standing outside, hand raised, as though he were about to knock. He blinked, seemingly as startled as she, and then rearranged his features into a sober expression. Something about that expression sent shivers down her spine. He seemed too confident, too sure of himself, even for Gabriel. Her fingers tightened around the door latch, desperate to shut the door in his face, powerless to do so.
“What are you doing here, Gabriel? You know you are not welcome at my doorstep.”
Gabriel sighed heavily, eyes meeting hers. “I’m afraid I have some unfortunate news. It’s Caine. He’s...I found his body in the woods tonight, in the clearing down the path. I thought you should know.”
“What?” It felt as if all the breath had been knocked out of her lungs. It was a mistake, had to be a mistake. Gabriel’s eyes never left hers, as he continued.
“It looks like the wolves were out hunting tonight.” Gabriel’s eyes held something that might have been sympathy or concern, but his voice carried a note of triumph that was impossible to ignore. “I suppose you hadn’t warned him about them?”
“You bastard!” Before she even was conscious of the act, she slapped him, her hand stinging from the contact. Gabriel remained where he stood, face turned slightly away. He briefly closed his eyes, then turned back to her. She stood, breathless, fist clenched. “You led him right to them, didn’t you?”
“If he was stupid enough to be led, then he got what he deserved.” Gabriel stepped forward, scant inches from her, far too close for her comfort, but she stood her ground. “He might have some of my blood flowing through him, but he was still a whelp, Natalya. He would never have been able to take care of you. Not like I can, like I will.”
Natalya set her hands against his chest, pushing him back, but he remained immovable. She pushed harder, hands balled into fists, pounding at him. “Get away from me, Gabriel! I would never give my heart to someone like you!”
Gabriel grabbed her wrists, jerking her arms behind her, pulling her against him. He leaned forward, his lips brushing her neck.
“Then I’ll just have to make do with your body for now, Natalya,” he whispered against her ear. “You’ll come to me soon enough, once the foul taste of that creature has been washed from you.”
Gabriel spun her, pinning her to the wall by the door, her arms pinioned behind her. He buried his head against her neck, and she recoiled, as he licked her skin, the repellent feel of his tongue sending a shiver through her body. His body was pressed against hers, the breath almost forced out of her, as he crushed her to the wall. With horror, she felt him growing hard where he thrust himself against her hips. She squirmed, trying to move away from him, away from the strong body that was holding hers. He shifted his weight, hips sliding across hers, one long thigh pushing between her legs. It was a rude gesture, and she fought with everything she had, trying to bring her knee up, to kick him, anything to get his foul body away from hers.
“I like a girl with spirit, Natalya.” Gabriel drew back, eyes flashing in the dark, his laugh a low, dark hiss. “You’re going to enjoy this, trust me. I can give you far more than he ever did. There is no point in fighting me anymore.”
He wrenched her arms back further, and she fully expected her shoulders to come unhinged. With ease, he held her wrists in one hand, and then dropped his head back to her neck, nuzzling her with his mouth. He brought his free hand up to her breast, groping and squeezing, tearing at the fabric of her dress, until he’d freed it from her bodice. He lowered his head, and she twisted beneath him, as he greedily licked, and kissed her skin, his tongue curling around her nipple. His hand left her breast, moving between their bodies, fumbling with the folds of her dress. She knew it would be only moments before he ripped the entire gown from her body.
Natalya struggled in his grip, the bones in her wrists grinding together painfully, but Gabriel was too strong. “Our Mistress will punish you for this!”
Gabriel barely lifted his head, as he spoke. “Why would she? I didn’t kill him, pet. I’ve broken none of our laws.”
“No, you didn’t kill me, you bastard. Now let her go.”
Gabriel jerked his head away, eyes going to the door. He still held her pinned to the wall, and she could barely draw a breath, but her heart, already thundering in her chest, took off at a wild beat.
Caine stood in the doorway, covered in blood, his clothes torn and dirty. But he was there, not lying dead on the forest floor, not torn to shreds by wolves. He was alive.
“No.” Gabriel’s voice was barely a whisper. “It’s not possible.” Gabriel released Natalya, springing away from her. She gathered the torn flap of her dress, turning toward Caine. She wanted to rush to him, but his eyes were full of murder, and all of it was for Gabriel. Caine took a step into the room.
Caine’s eyes burned with hatred, his fangs bared. He looked like a wild creature, or perhaps a demon, but like nothing Natalya had ever seen before.
“Twice you’ve tried to kill me now, Gabriel. I’m not going to give you a third chance.” His voice was like ice, the only emotion contained hate, nothing but pure hate.
Before Gabriel could respond, Caine was in front of him in a heartbeat, grabbing for his throat. Gabriel barely evaded the attack, then countered with a kick that caught Caine in the ribs. Natalya cried out in shared agony, but Caine barely seemed to register the blow. He spun around, then caught Gabriel by surprise, kicking the vampire’s feet out from underneath him.
Natalya watched as they fought, both moving almost faster than she could follow. Caine held his own against Gabriel. Even though he knew he was strong and fast, part of her was amazed at his abilities. It wasn’t long before Caine had the upper hand. His blows were connecting with Gabriel, driving him back, bloodying his nose. Then Caine landed a final blow, sending Gabriel onto his back on the floor. Part of her wished the Seethe Mistress could see this, to see how badly she’d misjudged Caine. Anyone, vampire or Nequam, who could fight off a pack of wolves, and then take on an experienced vampire, much less pummel him, should certainly have a place in the Seethe.
Finally, Caine had Gabriel pinned to the floor, hands around the vampire’s throat, sitting on his chest. “No more games,” he said hoarsely. “I’m done with this...with you.”
Natalya watched as Gabriel struggled for
breath, fingers clawing at Caine’s hands. But Caine held on, fingers sinking deeply into Gabriel’s flesh. For a moment, her heart went cold.
“Caine. Stop! Don’t do this. You’re not like him.”
Caine didn’t look up. “And why shouldn’t I kill him? He will only come after me again, and after he succeeds in finally killing me, he’ll come after you. I know what he’s after, and so do you.”
Gabriel’s struggles grew weaker. Natalya watched in horror as Caine, easily holding Gabriel down with one hand, drew his knife, the silver blade glowing in the candlelight. She knew once Gabriel was rendered senseless, Caine had but to sever Gabriel’s head to kill him. Reaching forward, she tugged at Caine’s arm.
“If you kill him, you’ll be no better than he is!” Natalya pleaded. “I know he’s a bastard, soulless to the core. But only the Seethe Mistress can mete out punishment. You cannot take the law into your own hands.”
Caine turned to face her. “But your Seethe laws will also turn me away. Is it fair I abide by one set of rules, while the other damns me to exile? How can that be right?”
“Caine, I can’t expect you to understand all of the workings of the Seethe. And yes, they do seem unfair, but please...don’t do this.”
She knelt beside him, hand on his arm. He still held the knife above Gabriel, still clutched the vampire’s throat in his fingers. Gabriel was still, barely breathing, eyes rolling up to show the whites, as he lay beneath Caine.
“But they’re not just the Seethe’s rules; they’re my rules, the rules I live by. I wouldn’t know what to think if you killed Gabriel, if you became a monster like him.”
“Do you think me a monster, Natalya? Do you?”
She shook her head. He did look monstrous, with those wild eyes, and blood caked skin and hair, but he was Caine, the center of her world. “I love you, Caine. You know that. Even if you kill him, I will still love you. But I beg of you, don’t go down that path.”
Caine turned his eyes back to the vampire. He released the pressure on Gabriel’s throat, but still held the vampire pinned to the floor with his body, the knife poised to strike. Gabriel drew a single rasping breath.
