Deceptive Changes: Kat LaMond Book 1

by R A Baker

  I stood up and walked out of the office. I told Starla that I would be out for lunch and she waved me off without asking questions, thankfully. Sven held the door open for me. I stopped and looked at him. He was being the perfect gentleman. I walked through the door. I was almost to the truck when Sven was just there with the passenger door open. I sighed again and got into the truck.

  “You shouldn’t show that you’re a vampire in public,” I said when he got into the truck. He grinned at me and took off down Main Street.

  We went for about twenty minutes and then pulled into a parking lot. I looked at the restaurant and found that it was my favorite Italian restaurant. Yum. He stopped the car and in his faster-than-the-eye-can-see way, he had my door open. I slid out of the truck and he held out his arm.

  I just looked at him. “Oh, come on, Katja. I’m not going to bite you. If I were to bite you it would because you want me to.”

  I heaved a big sigh and slid my hand around his arm. He smiled as he guided me to the door. He opened it and guided me through. We walked up to the hostess and Sven informed her that our party was in the back.

  She started to pull menus but was waived off by the owner of the restaurant. He took us to the back personally. I found that Trace, Todd, and Erick were waiting for us. Oh, and Thorn. I took my hand from Sven’s arm and went to my guys. They stood up and gave me a big hug. I was happy to see them. It wasn’t like I had been gone for very long, but still…I had missed them.

  “What are you guys doing here?” I asked as they took their seats. Sven was waiting for me to take mine. He held my seat for me. I sat down and he placed the chair perfectly under me.

  “We thought we’d meet you for lunch. We found something out.”

  I didn’t know if I wanted to know. I knew one thing, I was famished. “Before we start. Did you guys order yet?”

  Todd nodded. “Yeah. We ordered your favorite. I hope you don’t mind.” I shook my head.

  A couple moments later, a waiter brought in a cart with food and drinks for everyone. My favorite meal was Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken and a glass of wine. The guys had everything from spaghetti to eggplant parmesan. Sven and Thorn had salads placed in front of them and a glass of wine. I started to eat and mmm’d as the wine complimented my meal.

  After we finished our main course, Todd said, “The reason Sven wasn’t attacked was because of your blood, Kat.”

  My mouth fell open again, good thing I didn’t have any food in it. “What are you talking about?”

  “When Thorn was attacked, the spell was supposed to attack both of them, but it only worked on Thorn because he wasn’t bound to you the way Sven is.” My meal slid in my stomach. I clenched my teeth to keep from throwing up. I leaned into the table with my arms wrapped around my stomach.

  When I could speak without fear of tossing my meal, I asked, “Sven’s bound to me?” Todd nodded. I grimaced. “How could this happen?”

  “When he was near death. It’s similar to the power that you used to raise Erick and the others. Anyway, now that Thorn has your blood in his body, he should be impervious to the spells.”

  I frowned. “How do you feel about this, Todd?”

  “I’m happy. If it means that my people are safe by sampling your blood, then I am very pleased. It means that we have yet one more way to protect them.”

  “But if they’re tied to me, what about you? You’re their king, I’m not their queen.”

  “I don’t have the power to raise people. I can give them blood but its king’s blood and not as potent or as magical as yours.”

  I looked at him closely for a moment and then asked, “What does this mean for me?”

  “It means that I may ask you for a favor if, when, the time comes.”

  “What kind of favor?” Not that I didn’t already know.

  “The kind you probably don’t want.”

  I lifted an eyebrow and blew out a sigh. “How many?”

  He raised his eyebrows in astonishment. “It would be in the neighborhood of a hundred or so.”

  “Come on. You’re joking, right?”

  Todd shook his head. “I’m not joking, Kat. I really have that many.”

  My shoulders sagged. “I don’t think I’m into letting a hundred or more suck on my wrist.”

  Sven chose that moment to pipe in. “Katja, it’s not that bad. You could have multiple orgasms.”

  I gave him the look he deserved, and then swung my gaze back to Todd. He was giving Sven a look too and it wasn’t friendly.

  “If they were to take my blood, would they feel what, say Sven and Thorn feel? Or would they just go about their business and not be attached to me like a puppy dog.” I flicked my eyes to Sven as I said this. He grimaced and then plastered a fake smile on, though his dark blue eyes sparkled with laughter.

  “I’m not sure, Kat. They may be drawn to you as Sven is.”

  I noticed he left out Thorn. “What about Thorn?” I looked at Thorn as I asked.

  “Ask him, Kat. I’m not sure.”

  I lifted an eyebrow at Thorn. “Well?”

  “I don’t feel any different from the way I did before. You’re blood called to me when I first saw you but I don’t feel a desperate urge to be with you.” He flicked his brown eyes to Sven and then back to me. That flick of the eyes told me more than any of my guys ever did. It meant that Sven desired me in a way I wasn’t comfortable. Not that I was totally comfortable with Sven from the beginning.

  The waiter came in with a selection of desserts and I almost lost it. I held my stomach and nose until the guys had selected a dessert. I waved my hand at the waiter and he left quickly.

  I stood up and paced the room. It wasn’t that big so I didn’t have very far to go as I paced. I stopped and looked at my guys. They were eating their desserts as if this was just another day and it probably was. To them.

  Maybe I was the only one with a problem. Maybe I was the only one that didn’t want this. Or maybe I was the only one that couldn’t deal with this. Sven’s eyes never wavered from me. His blue eyes were following me from one end of the room to the other. Though I stayed away from where they were sitting.

  I groaned inwardly and sat back down. I tried to listen in on what my guys were talking about but I wasn’t up to listening to external words. I was wrapped up in the fact that I was now a…a something. I didn’t even know what I was anymore. I knew I was a killer, which I’d come to terms with. I know I’m a good person in a sordid way. Now, it seemed as if I were some protector person who has some weird magic or something.

  I never grew up where spells and magic were practiced. We lived in a normal neighborhood, went to a normal school, and had normal friends, which isn’t totally true. I didn’t have a ‘normal’ life. I see ghosts, woo hoo. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry can see a ghost.

  I watched as the guys interacted and it seemed so natural. Even Erick was starting to act more comfortable around the vampires. Trace, well he was Trace. The waiter came in and everyone shut up. “Is there anything else I can get you?” We looked at each other and then shook our heads. The waiter tapped out a bill and being me, I paid it. The waiter left.

  I stood up. “I have to get back to work. Thanks for a lovely meal. I’ll see you guys when I get home.”

  My guys came up to me one at a time and gave me a hug and kiss. Thorn waved his hand in my direction and left with my guys. Only Sven was left. I grimaced as he stepped forward and offered me his arm.

  When we got in the SUV, I asked, “What do you think about being tied to me?”

  “I don’t mind it. I’ve known from the beginning that this is what would happen.”

  I looked at him as he drove. He was so honest, well now at least. “You knew that you would be tied to me?” He nodded but kept his eyes on the road.

  “How could you have known?”

  This time he actually looked at me. “I knew when I smelled your blood in the air back in Germany. It sang to the blood in my veins
. It called me. I can’t really explain it, it’s just what it is.”

  “Doesn’t that frighten you?”

  He gave me a weird look. “It doesn’t. I’m truly happy to be with you. I know that I probably will never be in your bed or in your heart or even in your thoughts but I’m happy with just having a moment together.”

  My heart clenched. “You aren’t serious, are you?” He looked at me and I could see that he was deadly serious. I tried to lighten the mood but failed.

  We pulled into the office parking lot. He got out and opened my door. I took his arm when he offered and he escorted me into the building. He guided me into the office and pulled the blinds once more. I shook my head and got down to work.

  >< ><

  I was once more immersed in work when Sven pulled my chair from the computer and told me it was late. I looked at my watch and found that it was past eight p.m. I stood up and stretched. I peeked out of the blinds and found that the floor was dark except for the emergency lighting. I sighed. It had been productive and I was happy with as much work as I had gotten done.

  I walked back to the desk and grabbed my purse and jacket. Sven held out his arm and escorted me to the SUV. He had been the perfect gentleman throughout the day. I wondered what had changed. I decided to ask. “Sven?” He turned to me before starting the truck. “What changed?” He tilted his head. “I mean, before you were all over me. I’m glad and all but what changed to make you be so…so normal?”

  He smiled and said, “I haven’t changed, Katja. I’ve always been this way.”

  I looked at him sideways. “At first you were and then you became this…creature.”

  “It was a momentary lapse in composure. I’m not used to not getting what I want. It pissed me off that you were secure in your relationships with my king and your men that I wanted it. I wanted you no matter what I had to do to get it. I apologize.” I could only stare at him. He started the truck and drove off. We didn’t speak for the rest of the ride home.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  We arrived home shortly before nine p.m. Sven parked the truck under the portico and we went into the house. We found my men in the kitchen, sitting at the table, and looking over some papers.

  “What’s all this?”

  Trace took the paper and hid it. “It’s nothing.” I let it go. For now, anyway.

  I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a soda. I blew out a breath and sat down at the table with them. Sven bid us good night and left.

  The guys were staring at me. “What?” I asked after I had taken a couple sips of soda.

  “We’re glad you’re home, babe.”

  I smiled and said, “I’m glad I’m home.”

  “How was Sven?”

  “He was a perfect gentleman.”

  I finished my soda and told them that I was going to bed. They stood up and gave me hugs and kisses and then I stumbled into the bedroom. I started to take my clothes off when I realized I wasn’t alone.

  I looked around the room. It was dark so I couldn’t see real well. I flipped the light switch and found Sven sitting in the chair. “Sven?” His dark blue eyes looked at me. “What are you doing in here?”

  He stood up and cleared his throat. “I…” He paused and looked around the room. “I was wondering if I could taste you again.”

  I blinked at him. “What?”

  He looked so vulnerable. I was about to say yes when my guys walked into the room. They stopped just inside the door and looked at us. I was standing by the closet and Sven was standing by the bed.

  I gulped as Todd walked forward. Sven looked unsure of what Todd was going to do to him. Todd stopped a few feet from Sven. “What are you doing in here?”

  Sven looked away and tried to stammer out a reply. I couldn’t stand it. “Todd.” He turned and looked at me. “Sven just wanted a little taste of my blood. He hadn’t taken any food while we were out today. I was just getting ready to say, if it was all right with you guys, I don’t mind sharing a little blood with him.” Sven’s blue eyes darkened further. He flicked his eyes to Todd.

  Todd nodded and Sven’s relief was plain on his face. I looked at Trace and Erick. Both had worried looks on their faces. “Trace, Erick? Why so worried?”

  They looked surprised at my question. “We aren’t worried for you, Katja. It’s more we’re worried that Sven will think this is more than a feeding.” Erick’s eyes weren’t on me when he said this, they were on Sven. I tilted my head when I looked at Sven. He nodded. What he was nodding to was beyond me.

  I shrugged and said, “Before this takes place, I’d like to shower and change into comfy clothes. I’ve been in these work clothes for close to twelve hours. I need some personal time.” They all nodded and took places on the bed or couch, always keeping Sven in eye sight. I shook my head and heaved a sigh. I grabbed clothes and locked myself in the bathroom.

  >< ><

  I showered, toweled off, and changed into pj’s. I stepped out of the bathroom and four sets of eyes watched me. I stopped just outside the bathroom and tried to keep my heart from being permanently lodged in my throat. I knew Sven could hear the change. His eyes widened and darkened. It was scary the look he gave me.

  “Maybe this is a bad idea.” When Todd lifted his eyebrow, I said, “The way you guys look right now makes me not want to do this.”

  Todd came to me and slung his arm around my shoulders, he pulled me close and whispered, “We’ll keep you safe.”

  It wasn’t them keeping me safe that worried me, it was that they might like it and encourage this moment more frequently. I sure as hell wasn’t going to voice my opinion to him at that moment, especially with Sven in the room with us. I didn’t want to hurt him, as much as discourage anything further.

  Todd tried to pull me from the door. “Don’t push me. I’ll get there, Todd.” He smiled and gave me a deep kiss. When he pulled away I was left staring at him, nearly cross-eyed with happiness. I nodded and he brought me to the bed.

  I sat on the edge and started to wring my hands. It wasn’t like I hadn’t given Sven blood before, it was that it was too intimate a place for this. “Okay, let’s get this over and done with.” Before I lose my nerve.

  I felt the bed shift and Sven wrapped his hand at the base of my neck. I flinched as he swept my hair from my neck. His other hand ran across my neck. I tried to hold the feelings that swept through me as he breathed on my neck. He technically didn’t need to breath being that he was dead and all but supposedly it helps with scenting or something.

  He placed his lips gently on my neck. I heard a gasp from the far side of the room. I turned my eyes and found Thorn standing at the door. I stood up so fast that Sven had little time to grab my arm and hold me to him. I knew Sven had heard Thorn walk up.

  “Is there something you need, Thorn?” Todd stood in the doorway, blocking Thorn’s view of the room and my view of him.

  I pulled my arm from Sven’s hand and walked around to see Thorn. His dark eyes held mine. I could see the hurt in them. Why would he be hurt? This was too much for me. I had agreed to give Sven some blood that was all.

  Thorn shook his head and left. Todd closed the door and said, “I’ll talk to him in a bit.”

  I nodded at Todd’s answer. The mood was gone now. I walked over to the bed and sat back down. “If you’re gonna get some blood, Sven, you should do it now.” He stayed where he was. I turned to him. “What?” He just looked at me. I shook my head and looked at my guys and repeated my question. They held up their hands and shook their heads. They didn’t want to get in the middle of whatever mood I was in.

  “Sven. Now would be good.”

  He spoke softly. “I will not take your blood now. I will find another willing feed. I can see what effect Thorn had on you, I can smell it. You’re angry.”

  I stood up and paced around for a moment. I turned to him and said, “I am. I didn’t think I’d be angry for Thorn’s interruption. I’m more angry because it feels like I have
to be. There are too many men around here for me. You guys are so moody.” I heard Todd chuckle. I turned and looked at him. I realized what I had said. “Okay, maybe I’m just the one that’s moody as fuck. This thing with Sven and Thorn is really getting to me. It’s like I’m this target that they have to have. Is that how you see me, Sven?”

  “I did. Now, I see you as a wonderful person, someone who shares her life freely with those that she cares about and some that she doesn’t even know.”

  I tried to hold my anger but it was fading. Sven got off the bed. I held up a hand. “I said I’d give you blood. It’ll take me a moment.” I knew what I wanted but I didn’t know if Trace and Erick would be up to it.

  “I have an idea. I was thinking that you guys,” I indicated my men. “You guys could lie around me. Give me courage while Sven takes willing blood from me.” I realized that I had only given Sven blood out of emergency or when he’d taken it from me.

  My guys nodded and went to the bed. My mouth dropped open at the sight of them lying on the bed. My heart beat faster as I watched Todd and Erick cuddle closer. Trace stayed a little bit away from them, giving me the option of lying next to him while Sven took my blood. That was an improvement from the way he had been.

  I crawled onto the bed and cuddled next to Erick and Trace. I closed my eyes as Trace and Erick wrapped their arms around my stomach and kissed their way to my neck. I forgot everything but the touch until Sven climbed onto the bed. I snapped my eyes open and watched him crawl seductively to within an inch of my outstretched feet.

  Sven ran his hand along my leg. I tried to hold still but I didn’t know if I wanted his touch. He continued to run his hand up my leg and stopped at my knee. I realized that I did want his touch. He was gentle and forceful, different in so many ways from my guys.

  He slid his hand along my knee to my thigh and stretched. He looked like a giant cat as he stretched over my body. He slid closer to Trace. I could feel Trace tighten his grip on my stomach, it was almost painful. Sven noticed too and slid across my legs toward Erick. That meant that Todd and Erick had to scoot over to make room for Sven’s body.