That was something new and unexpected. Her eyes seemed to light up the room—two blue orbs, and he could feel her magic rising to the forefront. Was it a defense mechanism?
“Vivien, you said these people—the coven warriors—are able to track you by your magic. You may want to dial it back a bit. I can feel it circling around me.”
“Shit. It’s the damn whiskey and this freakin’ room. I’m just nervous. If the coven finds me, I’m not sure you and I will be able to stop them.” She placed her head in her hands and Ryder moved to sit beside her.
“Hey, look at me.” He removed her hands from her face and tipped up her chin, so they were eye level. When he touched her skin, another electric shock jolted through him. “We will deal with whatever comes. I made a promise and I intend to keep it. Do you understand?”
Vivien nodded, but her eyes were welling with tears. Ryder knew something else was bothering her and wanted to ask, but thought better of it. He slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. When she nuzzled into his chest, his breath caught. When was the last time he had held a woman and genuinely cared about her well-being? When he was human, he decided. All these new emotions were eating at his soul, but he couldn’t stop himself even if he tried.
FOUR
VIVIEN FELT grateful to Ryder for saving her and there was something else—whatever it was, it felt foreign and comfortable at the same time. She couldn’t remember the last time she allowed a man to touch her, let alone hug her. Although her magic was going haywire with him around, it felt nice to be in his arms, vampire or not. She was fighting with herself about trusting his friend and hybrids in New Orleans, but knew in her heart that it was the safest option she had.
Ryder had been nothing but upfront and kind from the get-go. Well, except for the kidnapping part, but she could forgive that little indiscretion. Then she thought about his diet. The man drank freakin’ blood. Shit! She pulled herself away and looked up into his silver eyes.
“When was the last time you fed?”
“Before I left Los Angeles. Why do you ask?” Ryder glanced back at her with what looked like concern etching his face.
“I’m just wondering if you plan on feeding again, and on me.”
Ryder laughed and sat back on his elbows. “Not unless you want me to.” He had a mischievous look in his eyes and Vivien’s heart thundered in her chest.
“No. That will never happen. I suggest if you get thirsty, hungry or whatever, that you go snack on Gary. He looks like he’d make a nice greasy meal.” Damn. Why did the man have to look so sexy? Vivien was having a hard time keeping her thoughts straight when Ryder looked at her, so she averted her eyes.
Not his abs. Stop looking at his chest. Look at the wall.
“Don’t worry, Vivien,” he replied, still looking as if he wanted to eat her. “I’m an older vampire and do not have to feed as often as you may think. I can consume food as well, but it tends to taste like cardboard. I have no plans of feeding on you or Gary.” She watched as he visibly shuddered at the thought of Gary and laughed.
“All right then. Just as long as we’re clear. My blood is a no-go,” she said, leaning back on the bed and rolling over to face him. “Why don’t you have to feed often? I’m just curious. I’ve never met a vampire I didn’t want to kill.”
Ryder turned on his side to face her. “I’m old as hell. The longer I live, the less I have to feed. It’s just the way things are. I’m not the monster you have built up in your mind.”
“No, you’re not, but others are. I’ve had my share of run-ins with vamps that only wanted my blood. I’m happy to say that I can feel that you’re not one of them.”
“That’s not entirely true. Your blood is what drew me to you in the first place—your scent. It is my nature after all, but as I said, I will not feed from you unless you ask,” he said, looking deep into her eyes. Vivien felt like he was seeing straight into her soul. The fact that he just said her blood had drawn him to her didn’t even faze her, which was an enigma. Any other time, she would’ve killed a vampire for less. What was it about this vampire that was so intriguing, besides looking like he stepped off of a Hollywood movie screen? Every time he touched her, she felt something like lightning spread throughout her entire body. Another thing that had never happened in her thirty-three years. She decided she would think about that later. She had no room in her life for men, especially now that she was on the run again. But damn, she thought it would be nice to feel the touch of a man, or vampire in this instance, if only for one night. Nope, not going there.
“Thanks for being honest, and since we’re having a heart-to-heart, so to speak, there’s something about you too—some kind of connection that happens when you touch me,” she said looking into his now-swirling eyes. Uh oh, had she said something wrong?
When the word “connection” left Vivien’s heart-shaped lips, a fire like nothing Ryder had ever felt before began to build in his abdomen. He could feel his fangs elongate and he quickly sat up on the bed, covering his mouth. “Not now,” he muttered under his breath. What was this woman doing to him? And why couldn’t he control himself? What the hell was wrong with him? He was nearly five hundred years old, for God’s sake! Not some kind of rookie. This was bullshit.
Vivien jumped from the bed and clasped his arm. “Are you all right?” Her eyes were wide with concern.
“Yes, I’m fine,” he slurred through his fangs. Dammit! Why couldn’t he make them retract? This woman was going to be the death of him.
“Was it something I said?” she asked, leaning closer, attempting to get a look at his face and he turned away from her.
Ryder stood from the bed and went to the table, then poured himself another shot. Screw it. He needed a drink.
“No, Vivien. You are perfectly fine. It is me, and I feel the same connection, as you call it. It’s more of an electric current and I’m not sure what to think of it. This has never happened to me before.” He downed his shot in one go.
She walked away from the bed and sat at the table opposite him. “Well, if you’re gonna drink, I am too. No one likes drinking alone.” She smiled, looking up at him and her eyes were near glowing again.
“Vivien, your eyes. You need to get a handle on that or those witches may come looking for us,” he said, taking a seat in the disgusting stained chair. Hell, he might as well drink ‘til sundown. It seemed neither of them was going to sleep in this hellhole someone decided to call a motel.
“Sorry, it’s just when I’m around you, I can’t seem to control it. It’s strange for me too, ya know. I’ve been able to conceal my magic for decades, until now. Why do you keep covering your mouth?” She poured herself another shot. At this rate, she’d have to conjure another bottle.
“My fangs, Vivien, and I do not wish to scare you. I meant what I said.”
Vivien eyed him curiously. “Let me see them. I’m not frightened of you.” She reached across the table and pulled his hand from his mouth and gasped, but it wasn’t fear that he sensed from her, but arousal. Damn, and he felt it too.
“Like what you see?” Ryder asked, showcasing his fangs with a smile, and he could hear the strong beat of her heart. He poured himself another shot.
“Actually, I do. They make you seem dangerous yet protective at the same time. I can’t explain it,” she answered. Her hands were trembling now, but he knew she wasn’t frightened. “Can I touch them?”
Ryder’s brows rose to his hairline. He definitely was not expecting that question, but he nodded in affirmation. When her soft fingers grazed the tip of his fangs, he shuddered and nearly came undone, then stood from the table again.
“Does it hurt when I touch them?” she asked, looking up at him with a wide smile splitting her beautiful face. Her long black hair framed it perfectly and was hanging over one shoulder. It was all he could do to resist her touch.
“No, quite the contrary,” Ryder answered with a devilish grin. “It makes me want to explore our co
nnection further, but now is not the time or place.” He snatched the near empty bottle of bourbon and went to sit on his own bed—as far away from Vivien as he could get in their small confines.
“Is that so? Well, I have to agree. We wouldn’t want anything like that happening, now would we?” She continued staring at him like a piece of meat, not that there was anything wrong with that, but if he was going to have Vivien, it would not be in this roach motel.
“Maybe we should try to get some rest as you said earlier,” he suggested, roving his eyes over her luscious body. The word “Mine” crept into his consciousness and he noticed her expression change.
“Did you say something? I could have sworn that I heard you speaking, not aloud, but in my mind. Is that normal for vampires?” Vivien asked, conjuring a bottle of Scotch. The woman was trying to get drunk. Dammit. And did she just hear him in her mind? Holy shit.
“Um, well, it can be, but I’m not sure how you heard my thoughts. Just drink your Scotch and let’s turn in for a few hours.”
“Yes, sir.” She mock saluted him and smiled. “But you’re not off the hook yet, buddy.”
All of a sudden, a loud bang rang outside the room. It seemed someone was attempting to break down the door. It was after nine a.m. and Ryder couldn’t go out in the daylight without running the risk of being burned or severely weakened. All talk of flirting and mind speak forgotten.
FIVE
VIVIEN CAST her bottle of Scotch aside and ran toward the window, pulling the corner of the blackout shades away, just enough to where she could see the commotion going on outside their door. Ryder was at her side in an instant, but she pushed him to the floor, careful not to allow the sunlight to reach his body.
“They’re here. Dammit! They found me—it was my magic. Ryder, pull the shower curtain from the bathroom. We’re gonna have to make a run for it. There’s seven of them and they could blast this door open at any moment. Hurry!”
“A shower curtain? Have you gone mad, woman? No. I think I will take my chances.” She glanced back at Ryder who was shaking his head and adjusting his clothes. He seemed none too happy that she had forced him to the floor. Well, that was just too damned bad. He’d have to get over his ego. They were under attack!
Vivien’s heart jackhammered in her chest when she saw the male Garginton warriors standing outside dressed in full battle gear. They weren’t messing around, wearing armored suits, their pale blue eyes glimmering in the sunlight. They were glowing in an ethereal light. So much for being discreet. Assholes.
Vivien looked a lot like them, taking after her mother, she supposed, with her glowing cerulean eyes. Her dark features, she assumed she inherited from her father, but she couldn’t be sure. She’d never met anyone on either side of her family.
Another resounding boom echoed against the metal door once more—she could feel their magic reverberating over her skin. It wouldn’t be long before they made their way inside. Vivien needed a plan and fast.
“Ryder, I can transform into a bird or anything small, but they will know the moment I use my abilities. There’s a black SUV parked just outside our room, two spots over with tinted windows. Do you think you can commandeer it for us? If I fly away, I can catch you on the road, but it may not be that simple.”
“Vivien, I will fight alongside you. I am not about to allow you to fight them alone. They could kill you in the air. Shift into something smaller so that I can carry you in my coat pocket. I’ll kill as many as I can on my way to the vehicle, but you’ll have to open the locks.”
“I can do that, but the warriors are not as weak as you think. It’s possible they could trap you in a spell, especially if they believe you’re hiding me.” She was breathing hard now, unsure of what was to come.
The door exploded into metal shrapnel and Vivien only had a moment to think. A mouse, a freakin’ disgusting mouse, but whatever. Ryder scooped her up and placed her in his black leather jacket pocket. If their situation weren’t so dire, Vivien would have joked about him having a mouse in his pocket. It was quite funny after all.
“Where’s the abomination hiding? We know she’s in here,” the first warrior demanded, charging into the room, sword drawn.
Ryder took a step forward, fangs bared. The sun was shining into the room, but hadn’t touched his skin just yet. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but you just blew up the wrong damn door, asshole.”
“My name is Raphael and we’re looking for Vivien. She’s a witch and demon shapeshifter. I can smell her magic here in this room.”
“Like I said, you have the wrong room and I was sleeping,” Ryder said, taking another step toward Raphael until the other six flanked their leader. “Now you’ve ruined my damn door. Maybe your senses are off. There are plenty of other shithole rooms in this motel.”
Ryder held up his hands in surrender, but not really. Vivien knew he was willing to kill them all to save her, and now he was about to get to know them up close and personal. She hoped he would find a way to stop them from using their magic to disable him. “Look, I don’t want any trouble and it’s obvious you have the wrong room. I was entertaining a guest before you arrived. You just missed her by ten minutes. Feel free to look around, and fix my damn door while you’re at it,” He looked directly at the magical warriors. Vivien could see through a hole in his jacket pocket, witnessing everything as it went down. Damn, Ryder was good.
“If you’re lying to us, vampire, we will kill you where you stand,” Raphael said with his unnatural blue eyes aglow.
“You could try, but I would kill at least five of your men before the first one touched a hair on my head,” Ryder snarled, taking another step closer. “Are you sure you want to test that theory? I just told you sons a bitches to look around. I suggest that you do so before I lose my patience.” He pulled up the sleeves of his leather jacket, most likely readying for a fight. Vivien didn’t know whether to be impressed or frightened. She was feeling a bit of both, but wanted to get the hell outta there.
Raphael looked at him for a moment, then nodded and told his men to fix the door. They began to sweep through the room looking for Vivien, turning everything upside down in their wake. She attempted to remain as still as possible so as to not raise suspicion. She knew this wouldn’t be the last time they ran into the warriors, but they needed to get them off their back long enough to make a run for it.
Once the coven warriors entered the bathroom, Ryder ducked and ran through the door into the bright sunlight, straight to the black SUV just outside their room. Vivien’s magic exploded in a purple hue from the lining of Ryder’s coat pocket and she appeared next to him, then climbed into the driver’s seat, telling him to jump in the back. His body was smoking from sun exposure.
“Hey, are you all right back there?” she asked, starting the vehicle with magic, then peeling out of the parking lot on two wheels, just as the warriors came crashing out of the motel room.
“Yeah, my ass is on fire and I’m melting, but I’m good,” Ryder snarked.
“Hang on,” Vivien said, steering the SUV sideways, attempting to miss the spells being cast their way. The coven warriors were advancing dangerously fast and she needed to lose them as quickly as this tank would take them.
A loud thud sounded from the back seat. “Son of a bitch! Really?” Ryder shouted. He’d apparently rolled into the floorboard and Vivien tried not to laugh. Now was not the time to laugh, but she did snicker a little. “I’m driving once we lose these witches.”
She spun out onto the highway, pressing on the gas, and took off, leaving the deadly creatures in the dust. She knew they would follow her magical signature, so she had to be careful not to slip up and use her damn magic again. What was she thinking? She had really screwed up this time and she knew better. Cloaking her magic all these years had kept her safe and one night of being a dumb ass had brought these assassins straight to her and her vampire. Wait, he was not her vampire. She really needed to stop thinking like that and ju
st concentrate on driving. Dammit.
“What the hell was that?” Ryder called out from the backseat. She could see him rubbing his head in the mirror.
“You saw for yourself. The bastards I’ve been running from all of my life and now we need to move our ass to New Orleans. They’ll be following us soon enough. I’m taking the next back street and getting rid of this monstrosity of an SUV as soon as possible.” She kept looking behind her, checking to see if they were being followed. It wouldn’t surprise her in the least if they appeared somewhere on the road. She needed to be careful and concentrate on cloaking her magical signature—no more distractions.
“You might want to rethink that unless it has tinted windows,” Ryder argued. “I’d rather not fry, thanks. I’m a little on the crispy side as it is, and I will need to feed soon in order to heal faster.” He was looking at her through the rearview mirror and she looked away.
Did he think he was gonna feed on her? They had already established that as a no-go earlier, but then who else was gonna feed him? Some unsuspecting victim? Damn, she was in a tight spot and didn’t want an innocent human’s mind meddled with just so he could heal. It was her fault that he was hurt in the first place. She sighed heavily and continued focusing on the road, her thoughts racing a mile a minute.
Would it hurt? Or would she like it? That was the real question… What if she liked it? Then what? Sex? For the love of all things holy! She realized it had been so long since she had been laid that she was lust-crazed. She wanted to slap herself silly. Ryder’s laughter from the backseat broke her from her internal rant.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, perturbed.
“Well, I’m not trying to hear your thoughts, but you’re thinking really loud and it’s funny as hell, and kind of sexy too. So, you do want me? I knew you couldn’t resist my charms,” he said with a wink and sexy grin. Even with severe burns, the man was sexy as hell.
Shadows and Stars Page 79
