In the Beginning...

by Calle J. Brookes

  Unless what? Tell me. You’re thinking something, I know you are!

  Did one of those bastards bite you? Anywhere?

  Josey’s breath caught as she thought back to the attack. She forced herself to control her breathing, using the techniques she was taught in medical school. She gave his question serious consideration. No. No, they didn’t. Why?

  She didn’t miss the way he relaxed. When a Lupoiux bites a creature of another Kind, the victim may change, convert, to Lupoiux. Lupoiux heal three times as fast as Dardaptoans. But you are certain none bit you?

  I don’t think so. Help me look. She couldn’t be a werewolf, too. Would converting to a werewolf hurt as much as changing to a vampire? I do not want to be one of those things!

  Hurry.

  She waited while he tugged the soft blanket back. Hurry!

  Shh. I do not see anything. His hands were gentle as he ran them over her back and down both of her legs. They did not bite you. They did not want you turning, if you survived.

  What did they want with me? Why were they in your garden?

  I do not know, but I promise you this, I will find out why and will kill anyone else responsible!

  He bowed his head, resting his forehead on her free arm. I am so sorry! Two tears slid across her elbow, attesting to the strength of his words.

  Josey stared at him, studying the dark curls that whirled over his head. He actually meant it, despite the things he had done to her. He meant it, was crying over what had happened to her. She raised her IVed hand and touched his hair. Don’t.

  ****

  Cormac jerked his head up and looked into his Rajni’s eyes. Her hand, still impaled by the IV needles, hovered in the air. He wiped the moisture from his eyes. He would not show such weakness in front of his female again. She needed him to be strong, and that was what he would do. Stay still, I am calling for my sister. She needs to find out why you are healing so rapidly. She will find the answers. She always does.

  You have great faith in her. And you love her.

  Yes. She is my only sibling, yes. We had a brother, but he disappeared more than a hundred years ago.

  Wow. Do you still miss him?

  Of course. He is—was—my brother.

  I have a little sister, you know. She is just twenty-one, though she seems so much older than that. And so beautiful. She is at college. I miss her when she’s gone. She’s probably very frightened right now, and worried. She always tries to worry over me.

  Cormac nodded, and then spoke into the phone when his sister answered. He never took his eyes off his female. She never looked away from him. He replaced the phone in his carrier. I am sorry about that.

  She will be better once I am home. You are still planning to let me go, right?

  We will discuss your return to your family when you are fully healed and I am one hundred percent certain you will be safe and protected always. Until that happens, I do not know when you shall return home. And he would not, could not, ever be one hundred percent certain she was safe. Not with her grandfather being the monster bastard that he was. Not with the Lupoiux that have started to flood the Colorado area.

  So you are going back on your word?

  No! But, dammit, I do not know why those bastards were in this area, why you were harmed! Do you want to draw more of their Kind to your home? To your precious little sister? I could smell her essence the night I took you, too! She does smell so young and innocent! What do you think a pack of Lupoiux would do to her? First, they would try to mate her, hoping she would be compatible with one of them. Then they’d bite her! Or, if they decided she was not worth their trouble, they would simply kill her! All because they followed you, a Dardaptoan female, back to your home! Do you want that?

  No! Is my sister safe?

  She should be. Cormac felt like the rank bastard he knew he was. Why had he said all that? Just to frighten her into staying with him? Was he that desperate? Do not panic. I am sure you’re family has made arrangements to keep your little sister safe! He returned to her side and sat on the edge of the mattress.

  She studied him for a long moment. My father would. He’s probably got Jade locked away somewhere, with Em’s sister, and Mal and Mickey’s. And he and my cousin Rand are probably searching for us. And Rathan. Rathan will not stop until he finds us!

  He had no problem recognizing the satisfaction in her words. Who is this Rathan? A special friend of yours?

  Her smirk returned. You might call him that. Rathan is the sexiest man alive. And he’s very close to my cousin Rand!

  Are they life partners then?

  Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Then her eyes narrowed. No.

  Rathan prefers women. Specifically, blonde women.

  So you and he were together then? Do I needst to kill him, then? Make it clear that he will not be preferring you? Cormac knew what his female was doing; her baiting him was her way of trying to take control in a situation where she had little hope of any actual control. Still, who was this Rathan she seemed so certain would be coming for her? I can do it quite easily.

  I doubt it would be as easily as you think. You are very arrogant. I’m not sure I like that. Is your healer sister coming, then? I would. If I found something medically interesting enough. Where did she study? If she is a true doctor.

  She studied several places through the decades. Every fifty years or so she enrolls in a human medical school, just as a refresher. And because she hopes the human doctors will find something that can help our people.

  Duke and Johns Hopkins are the best for research. I went to Johns Hopkins. What is she looking for?

  Anything that can help our people. Antibiotics, coagulants. Immunizations. Don’t task yourself with it.

  Why should I even care about your people? Oh, yeah? Now I remember…you made me into one!

  How a woman could infuse so much sarcasm into a mental question was beyond him. Perhaps I should have said ‘do not task yourself with it right now?’ You need to rest!

  Chapter Twelve

  Josey didn’t want to let it rest. If she didn’t focus on something she would have to face the fact that the lacerations in her skin were starting to hurt the way they should have an hour ago. Maybe she had moved too much?

  And didn’t the whole lack of medical knowledge for these people now directly affect her and her cousins? What if something were to happen to Emily or Mal? What if those creatures that had attacked her had hurt Emily worse? What would have happened to her cousin? It did matter to her. Probably just as much as it mattered to him.

  I have a lot of questions. And I think you owe me answers, don’t you? What if something like this happens again? To Mickey or Mal or Em? Don’t I have a right, a responsibility, to find answers for them? They are my family—they are all that matter to me! I have questions, and I will get my answers!

  He started to say something, but stopped. He turned toward the door. Hold that.

  Kindara’s here. Jocelyn…be gentle with her. She is very fragile, and it is your grandfather’s doing. Just…be kind, please?

  That’s something else I have questions about. Josey eyed him as he approached the door. I will be nice to your sister; in exchange, you will answer every single question I have. About your people and about my grandfather—and about every other subject I think of!

  ****

  The woman who entered the room looked nothing like her brother and that surprised Josey. Cormac was so dark, despite the golden eyes. This woman had the same eyes, the shape and color. That was where all resemblance ended. Her hair was almost as blonde as Josey’s and she wasn’t much taller than Josey either. She was thinner than Josey and looked almost fragile. Especially in the white top and trousers. Her clothing was identical to that which had been provided for Josey to wear, right down to the green sash around the woman’s waist.

  Josey kept her eyes on the woman’s lips as she spoke. Tell her that the clotting is occurring when your medical books said it should not.
Fibrins are most likely forming. Unless your medical books are wrong.

  He spoke with his sister, but Josey could not read his lips. A different language. It appeared as gibberish for her. Speak English so I can kind of follow. Or get Jierra here to sign for me!

  He spoke with his sister again, this time in English. Josey had no difficulty reading his lips. “She thinks she is healing too quickly for a Dardaptoan. Will you take a look at her?”

  His sister nodded. She approached Josey slowly. Josey just watched. What had her grandfather done to this woman? Why did he do it? She doesn’t have to be so scared. I am not going to hurt her. I am the one laying here unable to move.

  He said something to his sister. More gibberish. She is trying not to frighten you!

  I am not afraid of her. And I’m not a wimp either! Although the pain that was starting to fill her veins might make that claim a lie. Maybe she had moved a bit too much?

  You’re hurting! Why didn’t you say something? He said something to his sister, but he had turned away and Josey missed whatever it was. The other woman’s movements turned more purposeful. She moved to the side of the bed and pulled the chair Cormac had occupied closer. She stared down at Josey. Said something, but Josey missed it.

  She asked if she could see your abdomen. Cormac stood behind his sister, his arms crossed over his massive chest.

  Josey slipped her arm out of the way. Tell her that it is starting to burn. But none of the stitches have broken.

  Just quit playing doctor and let her take a look.

  ****

  Cormac watched every nuance of his sister’s expression over the next fifteen minutes. Kindara looked both puzzled and intrigued, but not concerned. “What is it?

  What have you found?”

  “What I shouldn’t have. She is clotting faster than she should. Twice as fast as a human. I’ll need to run some tests to determine why. There is also absolutely no sign of infection, anywhere. And there should be at least some. I’ll need a couple samples of her blood to see what is going on.”

  “So she’s doing well?” Cormac heard the worry in his own voice.

  “She’s doing remarkably well, brother. She does need to rest for at least a few weeks. Maybe a month. You and I both know the outer body heals much faster than the inner for our Kind. We don’t want to lose her to internal damage. I trust you to keep to that. Watch for signs of fever, which I haven’t seen any. Barlaam and I will both be in to check on her.”

  “Thank you.”

  I have questions! His female’s words were filled with irritation, as they had been for the last ten minutes. She did not like being unable to communicate directly with his sister. He had no issue seeing that.

  Later. When you can move without wincing, you can write the questions down. Or I will get my niece or one of your cousins in here to interpret.

  So what does she say? It is my body and my life you’re discussing.

  She says you are doing well and she needs to run some tests to find out why you are doing as well as you are. Blood samples, and such. Does that suit your demands?

  She glared at him, attempted to cross her arms over her chest. Kindara had replaced the bandages over Jocelyn’s skin, then tugged the blankets up to cover her. Jocelyn’s movements were careful, attesting to the pain she still felt. No. I need to know what is happening to me. Don’t I have the right?

  He hesitated. Of course she did. You do. And honestly, Kindara isn’t sure what is happening. She has never seen such rapid healing.

  In any of your people, or just those unlucky people who were once human? Maybe I still have human blood characteristics? I read something in one of your books; something about the Dardaptoans needing the platelets and thrombins found in human blood in order for their own blood to function properly? Maybe I still have enough left in my blood to facilitate better clotting than she is used to seeing. Blood tests will definitely be in order. As will a control group. Probably from Emily, Mal, or Mickey. Do you have any other ‘once-humans’ around? Samples from them would be ideal. Plus any relatives they have.

  Cormac held up a hand, waved it next to the bed. Slow down. You will not be doing any such things. Not for a while, at least. Kinney says you won’t be at full strength for an entire month. A lot can happen in that time. He ignored the irritation on her face. On this, he would not budge. You will rest for the next two weeks. In that time we—together—will reassess our situation. Work on ensuring your safety. Hopefully find the answers to your questions. Determine what the future holds for both of us.

  And answer my questions about my grandfather. I want to see what he did. All of the files; every last one of them.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The darned vampire man managed to avoid her questions for the next two days. Even though he rarely left her side, he evaded and side-stepped better than a wimp during dodge ball. The only time he left her side was to shower, and then he was right back there the moment he finished.

  His sister came and went, gradually becoming easier in Josey’s presence. Josey wasn’t used to being the patient. Kindara took several tubes of blood, and took photographs of the lacerations on Josey’s stomach. Cormac would translate his sister’s wishes and Josey would cooperate.

  But enough was enough; she could not lie in this bed any longer. She knew how to remove a damned IV and it took her less than a minute to have the tape pulled and the needle slipping free from her skin. She could feel the vibrations of the shower. The bathroom was an opulent one, and six jet streams created a buzz that she doubted no hearing person would have caught. But she knew it intimately, and knew exactly how long she had before he returned to her side.

  She pushed her hair off her forehead, wishing Emily had braided it tighter than she had. The tunic and trousers were wrinkled, but she didn’t care. She was getting out of that bed and finding the answers she needed.

  She’d start with her cousins. Both Mickey and Emily had been in to see her and she had had no difficulty seeing that something about them had changed. Mickey actually wanted to stay with these people. Her Theo. She called him a ‘gentle’ man who loved animals and his family. And her. Mickey was head over heels for the blind man. Josey didn’t understand it, but if her cousin truly meant it, how could she tell her she was crazy?

  Mickey had always been very timid where men were concerned. Probably because of what had happened to her sister. When Mal and Emily had both been twenty-one, Mal had been attacked in the parking garage of Taniss Industries.

  The damage done to Mal had left a lasting impression on Mickey—and Josey. Josey had been less than eighteen when the attack happened. Mickey had just received her driver’s license that day. They had driven to TI to show Josey’s dad. Josey would never forget seeing her cousin lying on the concrete two feet from her father’s car. Mal had crawled there after the attack, hoping Josey’s dad would find her and save her. Instead Josey and Mickey had found her. Seeing how gentle the EMTs and doctors had been with Mal was what inspired Josey to become a doctor.

  Mickey hadn’t dated since the attack on her sister. If she had let Theo close to her, Josey would do nothing to stand in the way of her cousin’s happiness. And Emily? Emily hadn’t come right out and told Josey she was staying, but Josey could tell. It was in the way Em talked about the man she called Rydere. The king. And he had accompanied Emily to visit Josey earlier that morning. His hand had rested on Emily’s back, he had caressed her hair. Held her so close. And Em had let him! Josey didn’t understand any of it.

  While she wasn’t as afraid of Cormac anymore—having him save her life and then cry over her had lessened any terror she had still possessed—she was far from forgiving to him. He had ripped her from her family, terrified her, nearly drowned her, converted her into a freaking vampire, then claimed she belonged to him forever. Kind of hard for her to forgive all that.

  She wasn’t just going to accept the changes he’d created, then stick around for him to maneuver her like a chess piece.


  She slipped her feet into the slippers Em had brought her that she hadn’t gotten a chance yet to wear and then slipped out the suite door. First stop would be finding Freedom. In more ways than one.

  She missed her dog and he’d kept her away from Freedom long enough. If she had to search the entire hotel until she found the Border collie, she’d do it.

  She knew her way around the hotel well enough now that finding her way to the girl Bronwen’s rooms should be relatively easy. Bronwen was Theo’s younger sister, so she most likely lived in Theo’s wing of the hotel. Mickey would know. She’d find Mickey first.

  The sitting room where she’d spent most of the first week of her captivity was empty, no sign of Mickey, Mal, or Emily. The doors to the garden were locked, and Josey saw at least six strong men, equally as big as Cormac, arranged in positions to guard. The Dardaptoans had tightened security. The men’s presence helped her only a little. She still refused to even look at the glass doors that led outside Cormac’s suite. It would take her a long, long time to even want to go back out into those gardens. If she ever did.

  A hand touched her, and Josey spun around. Her heart settled when green eyes identical to her own widened. Mickey. Josey quickly signed her questions, barely giving her cousin a chance to reply.

  Ten minutes later her arms were wrapped around her dog and her face was buried in Freedom’s fur. She crooned softly, not knowing how loud or soft the sounds were, just knew that both she and the dog needed the comfort.

  Finally she released the dog and stood.

  It wasn’t Mickey standing there in the small lobby that housed Theo’s relatives.

  She wasn’t fully healed. I didn’t want you to see her still hurting. Cormac held out a hand to Josey. Come. You should not be up yet. If you pull the stitches…