Shadowwalker

by Rhonda L. Print

  “Look over there.” Raven pointed to the edge of the lake. “It’s a blue heron.”

  Majestic and elegant, the large bird extended its wings and took flight, tucking its long, thin legs beneath it as it soared into the air.

  “Beautiful,” I breathed.

  “It’s part of the reason I bought the property.” Raven pulled in the oars and laid them on the bottom of the boat and then pulled his hand back up with a bag full of pellets. “Toss these to the ducks; they’ll come right up to you.”

  Taking a handful of pellets, I tossed them into the water in the direction of the ducks and couldn’t help but laugh as they all made a frantic dash toward the food. “I didn’t know you liked animals,” I commented as I drew the ducks in nearer to the boat by tossing the pellets closer and closer to us.

  Raven was leaning back now¸ his long legs extended the length of the boat and a look of utter relaxation on his face. “Animals are simple creatures. They rely on instincts. I like that quality about them.”

  “Is that what you do, Raven? Rely on your instincts?” I dusted off my hands on my jeans and turned my gaze to him.

  “I do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done.” His voice darkened.

  Deciding to let the subject drop I asked him about his family. “Is this Ian and Leah’s first child?”

  Raven laughed. “First three,” he said proudly. “They’re having triplets.”

  “Wow, three at once.” Of course I had imagined carrying one baby, I am a woman, but three? “She must be exhausted.”

  Raven blew out a puff of breath. “Not Leah, but I’m sure Ian is wishing she was. The woman works like a fiend. It takes Ian, her boss, and the chief of police to keep her down.”

  “The chief of police? I thought she was a federal agent.”

  “She is. Her adoptive father is the chief of police, Charles Wilson. Leah is an agent in the SINS division.”

  “Oh, is Leah a vampire too? I thought only supernatural people could work there.” I hadn’t heard that, but I made it a habit to avoid anything and everything supernatural.

  “No, up until recently Leah didn’t believe she had any abilities at all. Then she started raising bodies from the dead and…” He shrugged as if that explained everything.

  “From the dead?” I stammered. “Like corpses?”

  Raven grinned and nodded. “Yep, corpses. You really don’t know much about supernaturals, do you?”

  “I spent my life hiding from them, not seeking out information. So Leah is what, a vampire hunter?”

  “More or less, but not just vampires. Shape-shifters, demons, anything paranormal. She’s pretty much judge, jury, and executioner if the need arises.”

  “And she’s married to the vampire Marquis? How does that make sense?”

  “Ian is a good vampire, although it took him a while to convince Leah of that.”

  “What about your other brother, Falcon?”

  “He’s a vampire too.”

  “And a pilot?”

  “Yep, there’s also Cougar. You’ll probably meet all of them at Ian and Leah’s home.”

  “Four of you?” I was going to be in a house with four vampires. Terrific.

  “What about you?”

  “You tell me, stalker.” The words came out a little gruffer than I’d intended, so I tried to soften them. “What don’t you know about me?”

  “Fair enough.” Raven sat up and put the oars back in the water. He rowed to shore in silence, docked the boat, and offered me his hand to help me out of it.

  As we walked the trail back to the house, he kept my hand in his. Crickets singing out into the night, and the wind dancing through the leaves of the Rosewood trees were the only thing that broke the silence. Before Raven opened the door, I stopped and faced him. Rising on tiptoes, I touched his lips to mine.

  “What was that for?” he asked, and I was pleased that his voice was a little husky.

  “Just going on instinct,” I said, and walked through the door.

  * * * *

  Early that morning, as the first hints of light began to color the horizon a brilliant orange and the wind rustled softly through the trees, I drained the last of my wine from the crystal glass in my hand. A crisp white Chardonnay with just a hint of citrus chased the anxious butterflies from my stomach while Raven finished the last of his bottle of Merlot.

  I’d learned that Raven mixed blood with his wine – a trick he’d learned from Ian – not for his benefit but for mine. The red wine disguised the fact that he was drinking blood. I wasn’t squeamish and didn’t really know if it would bother me to watch Raven “eat”, but the fact that he cared meant something to me.

  “That’s my cue, little one.” Raven pushed himself off the railing he’d been leaning against.

  I followed him inside, staying a couple of steps behind him as we crossed through the hall and into the bedroom.

  I yanked my hair tie out and stuffed it in the back pocket of my jeans before loosening the buttons and sliding the zipper down with a telltale zing.

  Raven stopped in his tracks but kept his back to me. I pushed my jeans down my legs and stepped out of them. Fluffing out my hair, I sashayed past Raven and stopped in front of the closet doors.

  I unbuttoned the top three buttons of my blouse and then turned, smiling slightly when I heard Raven’s soft gasp. “I think I’ll read for a bit,” I said softly, “if you don’t mind.”

  I flicked open another button, and his eyes darkened as he raked them down my body. The look was so intimate it felt like a caress.

  He pulled his shirt off and undid the top button of his own jeans, never taking his eyes off mine.

  Turning and undoing the last couple of buttons on my blouse, I dropped the shirt, letting it pool at my feet and giving Raven a view of my back. I reached behind me and undid my bra, letting it join my blouse on the floor.

  A low growl reverberated behind me, but Raven didn’t speak a word. I snatched the nearest nightgown, a short silky piece of fabric, and slowly let it slide down my body. By the time I turned, Raven was lying in bed, his head propped on one muscular arm behind his head. “I know what you’re doing, Zen.”

  “Doing?” I asked in my most innocent voice, eyebrows raised in question as I slid into the bed next to him.

  “Yes.” His voice was tight. “I have only minutes left before full dawn.”

  I rolled to my side and smiled at him. “What do you plan on doing with them?” I whispered.

  He cupped the side of my face with his free hand and gently stroked my cheek with his thumb. “You are the sweetest of temptations.” Rising until his lips met mine in a testing, yet searing kiss that left me breathless, his eyelids fluttered for a moment and he said, “Goodnight, Zen.”

  He was gone before his head hit the pillow.

  I woke before Raven the next afternoon and quietly slipped out of bed. Showering took a little extra time as I shaved my legs until silky smooth and then coated my body with a thin sheen of bath oil to soften my skin. A quick towel dry of my hair, teeth brushed, and the scent of jasmine spritzed on, I opened the bathroom door wrapped only in a fluffy white towel.

  Raven leaned against the doorframe, his eyes dark and wary as he closed the meager distance between us. He must have showered in the other bathroom because his dark hair was damp and curled at the edges. He smelled of fresh soap, mint, and his own unique self. The heat from his body, the scent of him, and the lustful look in his eyes was intoxicating, and I found myself reaching for him.

  Our lips met in a tentative touch, barely brushing against one another.

  “I said I wouldn’t do this.” He spoke so quietly I’d wondered if he was talking to himself. “This is a bad idea, Zen. I’m not the man for you.”

  “Don’t you think I should make that determination?”

  “You saw me kill two men without remorse.” He regarded me with…awe? When he spoke again, he nearly whispered, “You know I am a vampire, and I drank
the blood of the man in the parking garage, and that I’ve watched you from the shadows without your knowledge for months.” His hand slipped behind my head, fingers kneading the back of my neck. “Still you look at me with innocence. You are a beautiful enigma to me, little one.”

  I swallowed hard. What he said was true; I’d seen him do some brutal things. “They were going to take me. You were only protecting me and fulfilling a need you have no control over. I’m not afraid of you, Raven.”

  “You should be.” His other hand went to the base of my spine and pulled me against him. We were touching from the waist down, and I could feel his erection press against my abdomen. Lowering his mouth to me, he melded our lips together in a demanding, almost desperate kiss. I groaned, giving his tongue the opening it needed to invade my mouth. He tasted heavenly as our tongues slid against each other in frantic need.

  I’ve never fallen so hard, so fast, for anyone before. Everything about this man felt so right.

  I belong here. I am his.

  He trailed kisses down my jaw as I melted beneath his touch. I moaned as his hand slid under the edge of my towel. I wore nothing underneath yet didn’t feel the slightest bit self-conscious. Need and moisture pooled between my thighs, and I felt like a coil being wound tight with desire.

  When his fingers found my breast, I reached my hands behind him, cupping his ass and pressing my hips even closer to his.

  He gasped and pulled away from me. The need in his eyes turned to something else…something darker.

  Rejection flooded me as he stepped back, shaking his head slightly. “This isn’t right. I’m sorry, little one.”

  It was the endearment that turned the sting of his sudden brushoff into anger.

  “What isn’t right, Raven? What the hell is wrong with this?” I waved my hand between us and then pulled the towel closed, suddenly self-conscious once again. “You can’t keep…” I trailed off, blushing profusely.

  Can’t keep what? Getting me hot and bothered and leaving me hanging?

  I didn’t have the nerve to say it out loud. “And stop the ‘little one’ shit!” I wheeled on him. “I. Am. Not. A. Child!”

  Raven towered above me, his chest heaved, and his jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists at his side, but he said nothing.

  How could he be so passionate one moment and so angry the next? What the hell did I see in him anyway?

  I pushed my hands against his chest and stormed past him into the bedroom. Before I could close the door behind me, he was there.

  Still silent and foreboding.

  My pride had had enough. Never had a man made me so tempted, so wanton, and so damn furious in my life. I didn’t care where I had to go. It just had to be away from him.

  Switching directions and darting back into the bathroom, I slammed the door shut. Tears stung the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

  I spotted my clothes in the corner where I’d left them. I no longer cared if they were clean but chastised myself for not finding a washing machine and doing the job. It didn’t matter that people were out to kill me. Knowing I couldn’t go home and I most certainly wouldn’t run to my parents and put them in harm’s way, I decided I needed to get out of here.

  Away from Raven.

  Dressing quickly, I was happy to find my wallet still tucked in my pocket. I flipped through it, reassuring myself that I still had both cash and credit cards.

  I took one last glance at myself in the mirror, inhaled a deep breath, and prepared myself to confront Raven. I knew he wouldn’t be happy about me leaving, but right then, I didn’t give a damn about his happiness. My hand was trembling as I reached for the handle and pulled open the door.

  Chapter 9

  The room was empty, and I stood alone for a moment wondering where Raven had gone. Then remembering his ability to hide in the shadows, I crossed the floor quickly and jogged down the stairs. I glanced around the room as I headed for the door and hesitated briefly before reaching for the knob. As my fingers closed around it, I heard a low growl of disapproval from behind me. Turning, I saw Raven leaning against the wall.

  “Where, exactly, do you think you’re going, Zen?”

  “I’m leaving.”

  “So I see.” He sauntered over to me. “Did you forget that there are people who mean you harm?” His words were impassive and struck the nerve they were aiming for.

  “I haven’t forgotten anything.” How the hell could I?

  “And who do you think is going to keep you safe?” His body was inches from mine. I could feel heat radiating from him, and my traitorous self instantly wanted to move closer to the flame.

  I swallowed hard, preparing for the confrontation. “I’ll look after my own safety, Raven. You’re off the hook.” I glared at him. “You don’t need to follow the order to look after me anymore.” I wrapped my hand around the doorknob. “Goodbye.”

  “Order?” he barked and spun me back around to face him. “I wasn’t ordered to do anything. I already told you that!”

  “Whatever. Go stalk someone else! I’m leaving!”

  “I. Was. Not. Stalking. You!” Each word was louder, punctuating his rage.

  “Then what the hell were you doing? Lurking in the shadows, watching my every move? Then you what—bring me here! To do what? Kiss me until I’m dizzy and cast me away? I’m not your toy, Raven!”

  He picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. I yelped with surprise. “You want to know what this is about?” He climbed the stairs as if I weighed nothing and stopped in front of the locked door. “I’ll show you what this is about.”

  Pausing in front of the bedroom door he said, “I want you, Zen, I want you naked, blindfolded, and trussed up in that bed, begging for me, craving release. I’m not a man at all. I am a vampire. There will be no flowers sent from me, no happily ever after.” He closed his eyes and pressed into them with his thumb and forefinger. His voice grew quiet. “You need a future, Zen. You deserve romance. I don’t do romance, Zen. For me, love is a weakness.”

  When I started to protest, he continued. “I’m not a man, Zen. I’m a vampire, a monster, and you don’t need me.”

  I don’t need him? Who the hell does he think he is? Telling me what I did and didn’t need as if I was a child incapable of making my own decisions. He may have watched me for months, but he didn’t get inside my head. He didn’t know me.

  Anger flared, deep and powerful. “So you think you’ve known me long enough to tell me what I need? Is that what you determined in your observations of my life? You pompous son of a bitch!” I turned and stalked down the hall to the stairs, taking them two at a time and not slowing until I reached the door.

  Raven was half a step behind me, so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body, but he never tried to stop me; he didn’t mutter a damn word.

  I couldn’t help but take one final rip at him. Turning, I stabbed my finger into his chest. “I never said I was looking for ‘happily ever after’, but think about this, you arrogant ass. I’m intrigued now. I’ll try the things that suit me.” I met his eyes head on, letting him see everything in them. “But it won’t be with you.”

  I heard him suck in a surprised gasp and then he yanked open the door and stepped headlong into a large, hulking man.

  Chapter 10

  Sun-kissed dirty blond hair hung scruffily above the man’s slanted amber and slightly amused eyes.

  I took a startled step back, straight into Raven, who laid his arm around me so his hand rested on my opposite shoulder, effectively pinning me to his body.

  “Raven.” The man nodded a greeting at him.

  “What are you doing here?” Raven snarled, tightening his hold on me.

  “Been trying to get in touch with you for hours.” The man smiled down at me. “You must be Zen.” He bowed with an old world charm and took my hand in his, placing a tender kiss on my knuckles.

  Raven stepped back, taking me with him and jerking my hand out of the
man’s grasp.

  “I’m Cougar, his brother.” His eyes flicked to Raven. “Much better looking brother,” he amended with a grin.

  “What do you want?” Raven all but growled at him.

  Cougar stood, his expression growing serious. “There’s been a change.”

  Raven pulled me closer to him and spun me around. “Wait upstairs, Zen,” he ordered.

  “Actually,” I wrangled out of Raven’s grasp and turned to Cougar, “I was just leaving.” I dodged Raven’s reach for me and skirted around Cougar, who effectively stepped to the side, blocking my path. “I’m afraid we can’t let you do that, Zen.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I see controlling behavior is a family trait. However, I’d prefer to leave.” I took a step to the left; Cougar mirrored my move. I went right and again he blocked my exit.

  “I will restrain you.” Raven’s voice was low and menacing.

  Planting my hands on my hips, I turned to him. “You blew that chance!” Shocked by my own candor, I flushed crimson but ignored the embarrassment.

  “Zen,” Raven warned, eyes narrowing.

  I closed my eyes and let out an irritated sigh, seeking divine intervention. When I opened them, Raven was a hair’s width in front of me, dark eyes daring me to try and run.

  I lifted my chin defiantly and crossed my arms over my chest. “You don’t intimidate me, you overgrown parasite.”

  Cougar choked on a laugh behind me.

  “Your move, Zen.” Raven arched one dark eyebrow in challenge.

  With a puff of resignation I said, “Fine. I’ll be upstairs.” As I left the room I heard Cougar chuckle. “Leah’s gonna love her.”

  “Shut up,” Raven snapped as I climbed the stairs.

  I walked down the hall, pulled open the bedroom door, and slammed it shut again, and then swiftly moved back to the landing and sat on the top step.