Rhiannon had told him how she came to be under the dock, about the men who had inflicted her injuries. Now, as he walked, he kept a sharp eye out for any of them, though Rhiannon had assured him that they had long since left the village. Anger burned in Jaeger's gut, mixing with the lust and the want. He needed some way to free these emotions, to expel them from his body. But how?
He pounded into the tavern, taking a seat in the corner. The barkeep glanced over at him, and he nodded, indicating that he would take an ale. It was brought quickly, and he downed a long pull before tossing several silvers on the wooden table. The barkeep scooped them up, a broad smile on his jowled face. Jaeger knew the brew would flow fast, keeping his tankard full. He took another long drink, then let his gaze wander over the other patrons.
Herders, most of them, still wearing the dirt and smell of their trade, Jaeger decided as he wrinkled his nose in disgust. Nowhere did he see the men Rhiannon had described to him. He knew a little of what they had done to her, how they had beaten her when she fought their advances. Rhiannon hadn't gone into detail. Jaeger hadn't pressed her. He knew only that they had finally let her go, battered and bleeding. That she had made it to the dock was evidence of her own strength; that she had held out as long as she had, was proof of her spirit and will.
Jaeger took another drink and slouched back against the rough wall. Absently, he wondered where Celd was. He had not seen the Vector or the barmaid for several days. The thought sent a shudder through him. He tuned his ear for any word of the girl's death, but the talk in the tavern that night seemed to be centered on the arrival of a gypsy caravan. Words of condemnation, mostly, from the same men that would later plunk down their coin to have their palms read or their fortunes scryed in some glass orb. With a shake of his head, Jaeger turned, slouching over his tankard.
"Good eve, m'lord.” A slender young man slid onto the bench beside Jaeger, eyeing him with open interest. “Might I interest m'lord in a massage?"
Jaeger shook his head. “No. I'm fine."
"You look tense, m'lord. I've been told that I have the gift of healing in my hands. At the least, a sample of my handiwork before you say no.” He slipped behind Jaeger and began to work the muscles in Jaeger's shoulders with firm, even strokes.
Despite himself, Jaeger relaxed. His eyelids dropped wearily, his fatigue catching up with him. The young man continued to work his own brand of magic, supple hands moving along Jaeger's neck, his shoulders, and his back. Jaeger felt himself leaning into the boy's massage. He finished off his tankard of ale. It was immediately refilled by the barkeep, who flashed a quick smile at the boy then disappeared. Jaeger knew he was being set up. He had seen the ploy before. Still, who was he to condemn the boy for trying to make a bit of money? Jaeger had to admit the boy was very gifted.
"How much will this cost me?” he murmured.
"Cost, m'lord? The pleasure is mine in seeing you enjoy my work."
Jaeger huffed out a little breath and took another pull from his tankard. His head was beginning to spin from the effects of the alcohol. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander. His thoughts immediately went to Rhiannon, and a small smile caught at his lips. She was beautiful. So exquisitely beautiful. How was he ever going to keep his hands from her? One of them would have to leave. That was sure. He didn't want to abandon her in this village that had caused her so much pain already. Still, how could he travel with her? The two of them, alone, on the road? He would never be able to control himself, not just in lust of her body, but in want of her blood.
He had not tasted human blood since his encounter with Fellowes, but it had not been easy to deny his yearning for it. If what Celd said was true, his yearnings would only grow stronger; and if Rhiannon was the only human within his reach ... He shook himself and took another long drink.
"M'lord,” the boy purred into his ear, “we could make this much more effective if you had a place to stretch out.” He rose and took Jaeger by the arm, pulling him from his seat. “Come with me. I know just the place."
Head swirling, Jaeger drained the last of his tankard and allowed the boy to lead him from the tavern. They walked a short distance to the stables, where Jaeger stopped in confusion.
"In there?” he slurred.
The boy nodded. “I've a place all set up. You'll see. It's quite comfortable.” He pulled Jaeger into the building, past a long set of stalls to one in the very back.
Jaeger, with his nightsight, took in the thick pile of hay overlaid with a large, soft blanket. The boy moved in front of him.
"My name is Shad,” he said softly. His hands moved against Jaeger's cloak, pushing it aside. A second later, he had loosed the belt about Jaeger's tunic.
It was only then that Jaeger realized they were not alone. A movement, caught from the corner of his eye, drew his attention. Another youth, stouter than Shad and armed with something short and thick, stole from the darkness. Before Jaeger could react, the youth swung his weapon, striking Jaeger soundly on the side of the head.
Though he was stunned from the impact, Jaeger's Vector strength prevented him from being knocked unconscious, a fact that seemed to surprise and alarm his attacker. The youth stumbled back a step, even as Shad's hands closed about Jaeger's clothing.
"Hit him again!” Shad commanded, his voice no longer quiet and soothing.
Jaeger swung out one arm, catching the other youth at neck level. The boy crumpled to the hay, knocked cold by the powerful blow. Shad started, his gaze darting from his friend to Jaeger.
Fury allowed the Illusion he had created to fade, revealing his true appearance to Shad. The boy gasped and backed away, as if hoping to disappear into the darkness. Jaeger paced him step for step, until there was no place left for Shad to go. The youth pressed against the rough, wooden walls and looked up at Jaeger, pleading in his dark eyes.
"M'lord, please,” he whispered, “forgive me. It ... it's not what you think."
"Not what I think?” Jaeger repeated, forcing the ill effects from the ale aside. “You have the barkeep fill me with drink, you lure me here where your friend waits to smash my skull so that you may rob me of what you think I have. Or were you only attempting to gain my favors sexually?” He lifted his hand and traced one long finger down the side of Shad's face.
Shad trembled. “N ... no, m'lord. No. That's not it at all. I ... I don't lean toward men."
"Well,” Jaeger murmured, gripping the back of Shad's neck in a firm grip, “what if I do? You've a pleasant enough face. Maybe I should see the rest of you as well."
It was all Jaeger could do to keep from laughing as he watched the color drain from Shad's face. He could have taken the deception further, could have ordered the boy to strip, to parade before him, could have forced him to do any number of things. However, at that moment, his gaze rested on the boy's neck, on the pulsing artery that surged with youth and vitality. Yes, he wanted this boy, but not for the reasons he was suggesting.
The boy went rigid in Jaeger's grasp, pressing his back against the wall. He lifted one arm as if to push Jaeger away, then dropped it back to his side. His gaze was locked on Jaeger's, his mind controlled by the hypnotic influence of a Vector.
Jaeger's anger and need rushed through him, set his heart racing, his pulse pounding. Every part of his body was responding to this boy before him, this warm, human boy who held such vast stores of red life. Jaeger didn't even care that he was fully erect, that all of his sexual tensions were mounting, asserting themselves like never before. He moved closer, pressing his tall, muscular body against Shad's smaller one.
Shad's trembling increased, though he made no move to escape from Jaeger's hold. Jaeger wrapped his fingers in the boy's hair and pulled the youth's head back, exposing his neck. A tiny voice screamed in Jaeger's mind, pleading with him to stop. But it was too late; he had gone too far. There was no turning back.
With one swift movement, Jaeger lowered his head and bit into the boy's skin. Warm blood flowed into his mouth, sent hi
s senses soaring. He sucked at it hungrily, like a man too long without water. Each mouthful brought him closer and closer to the pinnacle of delight; and when he finally reached it, his entire body convulsed with relief.
Shad went limp, sliding down the wall to land in a heap on the hay. Jaeger leaned his forehead against the wall, too overwhelmed with this new emotion to do much else. For a moment, he did not move.
Then, overpowering guilt tore through him, ravaged his heart and soul. His gaze shot to Shad, and he crouched beside the boy. Quickly, he felt for a pulse. A hiss of relief escaped him when he found it. The boy was still alive.
Jaeger whirled as the other youth groaned and stirred in the hay. Panic-stricken, Jaeger leaped up and bolted from the stall. His pace was fast and furious, and he did not wait until he was clear of the barn before allowing himself to shapeshift into one of his animal forms, a raven. He shot into the night sky, winging his way over the village, turning toward the lake beyond. He would fly; fly forever, out over that vast expanse of water. When he tired, he would fall, to drown in the lake's murky depths and take with him the horrible guilt of what he had just done.
Chapter Four
"Jaeger?"
The soft voice startled Jaeger to his feet. He whirled to see Rhiannon stepping carefully over the slippery rocks toward him. How? How could she know it was him? He had assumed the Illusion of an aged man, as weathered and bent as the crumbling wooden docks beside him. He was speechless as she approached him.
"I was worried about you,” she said quietly, stopping within arm's reach. “When you didn't return last eve, I thought something horrible had happened. I don't trust the people in this village anymore. Are you all right?"
Jaeger swallowed hard, finally finding his voice. “I'm fine,” he mumbled, “but you must have mistaken me for someone else."
A smile crossed her full lips and her blue gaze settled on his. “No mistake. Auras don't lie."
"Auras?"
"The light surrounding you, revealing who and what you truly are."
"What I am?"
Rhiannon sighed and placed her hand on his arm, then gasped and quickly drew back. What little color was in her cheeks faded. Jaeger took a step back as well. Obviously, she had finally realized just what he was, and it both frightened and repulsed her. He turned away.
"Go, Rhiannon,” he whispered. “Go away. It's not safe for you with me. Not now."
"You were going to kill yourself,” she said softly, astonishment in her voice. “Why?"
Jaeger turned back to face her, stunned. “H ... how did you know that?"
It was Rhiannon's turn to avert her gaze. “When I touched you, I ... I felt the pain and heartache. Your lights told me what you did not."
He studied her for a long moment, then sat down on a chunk of driftwood. “Did they also tell you why I wanted to kill myself?"
"They didn't have to. The story is all over the village.” She sat down beside him. “The boy, Shad, will live. He doesn't remember much; only that he was attacked by a Vector. He doesn't remember the man's face, of course."
Jaeger sat very still, amazed at the ease with which Rhiannon spoke of his kind, of what he had done, of who he was. He was even more amazed when she reached out and took his cold hand in her warm one. He brought his gaze to meet hers.
"If you know what I am, why haven't you turned me over to the constable?” He could scarcely get the words out.
"Why would I do that, Jaeger? You have no more control over what you are than I do."
"You?"
She nodded, her dark hair tumbling about her shoulders. She drew her cloak tighter. Jaeger recognized it as one of his; and, for some reason, the thought of her snuggled in its warmth brought him warmth as well, but of a different kind. He waited for her to answer his query, but it seemed she would remain silent. He sighed and looked out over the water before him. His astonishment slowly faded, replaced by resignation.
"I don't understand it, Rhiannon,” he said quietly. “I had never taken human blood before, and now I've become a monster. That's why you must leave me. That's why it is no longer safe for you to be in my company. I ... I don't know that I can control my desires any longer, and I don't want to hurt you."
She laughed softly, the sound sending a tingle down Jaeger's spine. Her grip tightened about his hand. “You won't hurt me, Jaeger. I know that. I do not fear you at all."
Jaeger looked at her. He knew what it was now. It was the hypnosis. It was how the Vector controlled his victim. The way he had controlled Shad so that the boy had not called out for help or run from him. Was he now controlling Rhiannon the same way? If so, he didn't want to, yet he didn't know how to stop it. He pulled his hand away from hers and rose.
"You don't know what you're saying,” he told her. “You need to go home, back where you belong. Surely your family is agonizing over your absence."
"I don't think so,” she said. “They're the reason I'm here."
"Why?” Jaeger asked without thinking. He flushed. “That was rude. I didn't mean to pry."
"You didn't.” She rose, but offered no further explanation. “Come back to the inn with me. Please. You need to rest. And the sun will be up soon."
Jaeger looked at the lightening skies. “The sun? It has never bothered me before. Why would it now?"
"Because now you are ... different,” she said, tugging gently on his arm. “Come."
Jaeger looked from the sky to her face, losing himself once again in the blue depths of her eyes. They seemed to change intensity. That first moment she had awakened, they had been a limpid, crystal blue, as if they would fade to clear at any moment. Now they were the deepest blue-green, like a glacial pool of water. He frowned, puzzled, but allowed her to lead him toward the inn.
They reached it just as the sun broke the horizon. It hit Jaeger on the side of his face, and he gasped as unexpected pain shot through him. He reached up to clutch at his cheek even as Rhiannon pulled him into the safety of shadows blanketing the back alleyway.
"Let's get upstairs,” she urged.
Reeling, Jaeger followed her lead, stumbling up the narrow servant's stair and down the empty hallway to his room. Rhiannon pulled the key from her pocket, opened the door, and led him inside.
"Sit down,” she ordered and hurried toward a large basket sitting on the side table.
"What's that?” Jaeger asked, shutting and bolting the door behind him. He staggered to a chair and collapsed into it, fanning his burning skin with one hand.
"I went out to the market after you left last eve. I wanted to get a few things. Fortunately, aloe was one of them. Here.” She returned to him with a small vial full of clear liquid.
"What is it for?"
"Burns,” she replied quietly and pulled his hand from his cheek. She gently applied the cool gel, bringing instant relief to the stinging pain he had been experiencing.
"Burns?” he murmured, then rose and started toward the mirror.
"No!” Rhiannon stopped him. “No, Jaeger, don't."
He frowned at her and continued toward the mirror. Terror ran through him as he stood before it. He could not see his reflection. He could see Rhiannon standing behind him, her eyes sparkling with tears, but he could not see himself.
Chapter Five
Jaeger pulled his blanket tighter around him and stared morosely into the flames. Rhiannon had covered all of the windows with blankets, bringing night to the daytime. He hated it. Hated shutting out the sun, hated being relegated to slinking about in the dark of night. Yet, he could not deny the burn that still brought tears of pain to his eyes, a burn caused by his brief encounter with the sun. He shivered and hunched further into his chair.
"Please, Jaeger,” Rhiannon said softly. “Have some soup. You're chilled through."
He sighed and glanced toward her. Though the only light in the room came from the fire, he could see her quite clearly. She was perched on the end of the bed, watching him. The firelight flickered off her creamy
skin, danced in her blue eyes, created interesting shadows in her long, dark tresses.
She had bathed earlier and wore one of his tunics. Since he was so much taller, it fit her like a shift, hitting her at mid-thigh. Slender, white legs lay against the bed's dark coverlets, enticing Jaeger closer. It was an enticement he was resisting, though it wasn't easy. He wanted her. He wanted to hold her, caress her, and feel her body against his. He wanted to experience that rush of sensuality he had experienced with Shad and knew that, with Rhiannon, it would be physical as well as mental. He shuddered again and looked back at the fire. He wished she would go; yet he knew he couldn't bear it if she did.
He heard her rise and move toward him. He steeled himself against her closeness but nearly lost his resolve when she settled on the floor beside his feet. She held up a steaming mug of soup, a hopeful smile on her lips. Jaeger sighed and took the offering.
After he had managed a few sips, she leaned forward, resting her chin on an arm she draped across his knees.
"Tell me why, Jaeger,” she said softly.
At once, he knew to what she referred. “Because I'm a coward. I couldn't kill myself. I tried, but I just couldn't do it."
"A coward?” Rhiannon laughed at that. “How old are you, Jaeger?"
The question surprised him. He shrugged and took another sip of the soup. “I don't know. In human years, maybe one hundred or more. In Vector years, only about twenty. Why?"
"So, for all of those years, you never took human blood?” she asked.
"No. I didn't. I made a vow to my mother on her deathbed. I have abided by that vow.” He paused. “Until now."
"That must have taken a lot of willpower and courage. A hundred years is a long time."
Again, he shrugged, not understanding what she was getting at.
She smiled up at him. “Don't you see how little coward there is in you? You could have been like all the other Vectors. You could have taken your first blood at an early age and kept on. Instead, you chose to isolate yourself from your own kind, to go against your heritage. You could have taken me when you found me. You didn't. You helped me. How many other Vectors would have done the same?"
Blood Bred Series Book 1: Gift Of Love Page 3
