"There she is!” someone shouted. “The witch!"
Something flew past Jaeger's head. He heard Rhiannon cry out in pain and whirled. Her hand was to her cheek, and blood trickled like black ink between her fingers. Rage tore through Jaeger, and before he thought out his actions, he shapeshifted to the most powerful form he could in the confines of the alley—a sleek, steel-muscled black mountain cat.
None of the men had enough light to see the change, and more hard projectiles were thrown. One struck Jaeger on the shoulder, and he let out a roar that echoed between the stone walls of the alley.
The horses immediately shied and bolted. The men scattered as the animals thundered into their midst and past, and then one shouted that he had seen Rhiannon clinging to the back of one of them. Jaeger let out another throaty growl, drawing the group's attention.
"It's her familiar!” a man shouted. “Kill it and you kill her!"
Jaeger wasted no time. He sprang, rage driving his actions. The first man he encountered, the one who had injured Rhiannon, went down with a solid thud. He made only a soft gurgling sound as Jaeger tore open his throat. The other men screamed in terror and backed away, though they all held their weapons ready.
Jaeger spun, blood dripping from his mouth. Blood that was giving him strength, fueling his rage. His gaze shifted from one man to the other, daring any one of them to attack.
"C-come on!” one stammered. “We can take it. There's more of us."
"No!” another cried. “It's driven by the demon. It'll kill us all!"
"We have to kill it first! It killed Claus."
The men approached warily, then abruptly surged forward. Jaeger twisted, striking out with claw and tooth. More than once something sharp penetrated his skin. Pain drove him, and he attacked with a ferocity he had never before experienced. Man after man fell to his anger, to his strength. Blood stained his face, his claws, his fur, coursed through his body, tainted his mind with animal lust. Even when the men drew back, conceding their defeat, Jaeger stalked them. His thoughts tumbled wildly. He wanted them dead, all of them. All who had the audacity to attack him, to injure Rhiannon—
Rhiannon!
Jaeger let out another yowl, then spun and bolted into the darkness. His acute sense of smell led him on the trail of the horse and Rhiannon. He ran through the darkness, legs pumping, heart pounding, until at last he found her.
She had drawn the horse to a stop beside a rocky slope. She sat quietly on the dark rocks but leapt up as he staggered to her and collapsed almost at her feet. He barely had the strength to shapeshift. When he did, he could not suppress a cry of agony. He bled from numerous wounds inflicted by daggers and thrown rocks. There was at least one sword slash down his thigh. It stung like fire.
Rhiannon dropped down on the ground beside him. “Oh, Jaeger,” she whispered.
"I'm all right,” he managed, looking up at her. “Are you? Your face—"
"My face is fine. It's nothing compared to you!"
"I'm fine,” he said again, though pain coursed through him.
She glanced at the sky. “Come on, we have to get you inside before the sun rises."
"Inside?"
"The caves. Look."
Jaeger turned to where she pointed. Several dark openings loomed in the rocks on the slope. He drew a deep breath and got slowly, painfully, to his feet. With Rhiannon's help, he staggered into the chilly darkness. She lowered him gently onto the ground, then turned back toward the opening. He grabbed at her skirt, stopping her.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to find something to burn. It's too cold in here. There's a bit of brush on the hillside."
"Let me fetch it then,” he said.
She smiled at him and left. He watched her go with a mixture of love and trepidation, then lay back with a groan. Though his wounds had all ceased bleeding, he was still in pain. He knew, given time to rest, he would recover quickly enough, but he didn't know if he had that time. If Celd was looking for a Bleeder, he was sure to scent the carnage in the village. As sensitive as Jaeger's Vector senses were, Celd's were more so. Naturally, he would investigate.
Jaeger grimaced, remembering how he had torn into the men's flesh. One of them was dead. How many others had succumbed to his fury? The question sent waves of guilt racing through him, mixing with his fear. How could they hunt down someone who had just saved a child's life? It didn't make sense to him. Rhiannon should have been revered, honored, for what she had done. He couldn't leave her now. He had to make sure she was safe, cared for, protected.
He looked up as she re-entered the cave, arms laden with kindling. “Rhiannon, you mentioned you had a clan. Would you like to find them again?"
She shrugged, laying some of the wood into a pile. “If I do, I do. But I am not actively seeking them. Why?"
Jaeger was quiet while she put a spark to the kindling. He watched the flames eat away at the leaves and moss she had stuffed beneath the wood, thinking how alike he and the fire were. Both needed something to feed on to survive, and both destroyed that which provided them life.
Rhiannon looked at him over the small fire. “You want to leave me, don't you?"
The question startled Jaeger, though he knew it shouldn't have. He ought to be getting used to her reading his thoughts, sensing his innermost turmoil. Still, it was a bit disconcerting.
"It's not that I want to leave you. But if you stay with me, you'll be in constant danger."
"From?"
He sighed. “From people who despise my kind, from Celd, from me."
She gave him a small smile and moved to sit beside him. Her warm body was welcome and inviting. Jaeger took her into his arms, his heart aching.
"I just don't want you to get hurt,” he whispered.
"I won't."
"You already have been.” He gently touched the small wound on her face.
"But that wasn't because of you, Jaeger. That was because of me. And you have suffered greatly because of me. If anyone is in danger, it is you."
Jaeger studied her for a moment, then kissed her gently. “If this is danger,” he murmured, “then I revel in it."
She giggled and nestled closer to him with a contented sigh. “This is where I want to be, Jaeger. For all time."
"Time,” Jaeger repeated. “Time I have too much of. But what about you? I will live on long after you."
"Maybe,” she said.
He looked down at her in question. “Do you know something I don't?"
"Maybe,” she said again and closed her eyes.
Chapter Ten
They left the next night, both riding the one horse. For the next two weeks, Rhiannon guided them north into the mountains, moving by night, sleeping in caves by day. She seemed familiar with the locale. Her clan called it the Grotto Mountains. She told Jaeger hundreds of caves existed in the hills, some large, some small. She assured him they would easily find shelter whenever they needed it.
Jaeger continuously looked for signs of Rhiannon's people. Though he had not mentioned the clan to her again, he suspected she knew his thoughts.
He had not fed on human blood since attacking the men in the village, and his strength was slowly waning. He didn't think Rhiannon was strong enough to be bled, despite the fact that she had invited him numerous times. In fact, he was worried about her fatigue and pallor. She had become very quiet and spent much of the daylight hours sleeping.
There had been no sign of Celd, for which Jaeger was extremely thankful. Perhaps he had gotten Rhiannon far enough away that the Chosen Vector could no longer sense her, or perhaps Celd had found another to host his child. Whatever the reason, Jaeger had finally relaxed his guard, moving his thoughts from escape to seeking shelter for Rhiannon.
"Jaeger,” she said softly. “I need to stop."
He frowned, glancing down at her. She was slumped against him, her face made paler by the moonlight. Dark circles ringed her eyes, which were half-lidded. Jaeger scanned the hillside for one o
f the caves, and pointed.
"There. That looks like a good place to spend the day.” He urged the horse forward.
They reached the site in just moments, but Rhiannon had already sagged into sleep. With one arm, Jaeger secured her small form and dismounted the horse, dragging her with him. She woke with a little gasp, whether of pain or fright, he didn't know. Both concerned him. He touched her forehead.
"You have a fever,” he said, his alarm growing.
She looked up at him. “Please, Jaeger, don't reject me further. Please."
"Reject you?” He stared at her in astonishment. “I would never reject you, Rhiannon. You're ill. Come inside, lie down."
He snagged the pack, secured the horse, and led her into what turned out to be quite a large cave.
"Yes, Jaeger, I am ill, but you can help. I need to be bled. Please."
"But you're sick! I can't take your blood when you're sick. It would only make you worse."
"Damn you, Jaeger!” she cried, with all the venom she could manage. “You are making me worse! It's the iron. I have to get rid of it. Please, please, help me.” Tears sparkled in her blue eyes, and she clung to him in desperation.
Jaeger drew a deep breath but smelled no iron. He frowned, puzzled. A different scent filled the air, this one sweet and light, yet enticing. He had smelled this before, but he could not say where. It evoked strong memories of his mother, but he could not explain why. With a sigh, he laid the blanket on the cold stone and lowered Rhiannon to it. She pulled him down with her.
He ran one hand through her hair, then brought his lips to meet hers. He was startled by her weak response, almost as if she didn't possess the energy for even a kiss. He drew back to look into her eyes.
"Are you sure?” he asked quietly.
She nodded, and her eyes slid closed. Jaeger hesitated only a moment longer. He brought his mouth to her neck. Her blood tasted different, sweeter, more intoxicating than ever before. He drew on it, savoring the rush it sent through his body, the strength that at once coursed through him.
Rhiannon shuddered, a small sigh of relief escaping her pale lips. Slowly, her arms surrounded him, drew him closer, tighter against her, holding him until he finished.
"Rhiannon?” he said softly.
Her reply was only a sleepy smile. She did not even open her eyes. Jaeger's heart leapt, and he kissed her on the forehead.
"Are you all right? Please, answer me. Say something."
Her eyes fluttered open, the smile never leaving her face. “I love you,” she whispered, and fell back into quiet sleep.
Jaeger lay staring at her for a long time, then, carefully, so as to not wake her, he sat up, wrapped the blanket over her.
They had adopted the habit of picking up kindling along the trail, and he fetched their store now. It didn't take long for the dried wood to catch a spark, and soon Jaeger had a respectable fire going. He poured water from the waterskin into a small kettle and set it near the flames to boil, then looked over at Rhiannon.
A smile curved his lips. She loved him. She had spoken the words. He had felt their sincerity. She loved him. It sent his spirits soaring, his mind reeling. At the same time, it plummeted him into despair. They loved each other, but what could ever come of it? A life on the run? As long as she was with him, Celd could find her. He sighed. His father's life all over again, only this time Jaeger was the one running with his beloved.
And what if I leave her? She will still need to be bled to keep from getting ill. Will Celd be able to track her down? Is he still looking? Would someone in her clan be able to protect her? Jaeger didn't think so. Vectors were known for their physical strength as well as their ability to temporarily hypnotize humans. It wouldn't take much to steal her away from her clan.
Jaeger rubbed wearily at his face. It seemed there were no easy answers. Nothing he could do but wait. A noise outside the cave drew his attention, and he rose, peering into the darkness beyond. He saw nothing and was about to reseat himself when a familiar figure appeared in the shadows.
"Hello, Jaeger.” Celd's voice snaked through the cold darkness.
Jaeger went rigid, his gut tightening. He could not even manage to utter a greeting as the Vector sauntered his way. Celd's gaze flicked to Rhiannon, who still slept.
"Ah, the Bleeder. So, that's where she went.” Celd looked back at Jaeger. “I thought you preferred goat's blood."
"I did,” Jaeger managed, then corrected himself, “I do."
Celd chuckled and sniffed the air. “Yet, all I smell here is human blood.” He moved closer to the fire and Rhiannon.
Jaeger stepped between them. Celd eyed him with a cold smile. “You did quite a job in that last village you were in. Four men dead, torn apart by some wild, crazed cat. A familiar, some say, to a witch."
Jaeger clenched his jaw to keep from answering. He would not give Celd the satisfaction. The Vector went on, his voice flat, his gaze locked on Rhiannon.
"And this must be the witch. From the barkeep's description, she fits perfectly. A Bleeder and a witch. A charming combination, eh, Jaeg?” He looked to Jaeger, his face gone cold. “She's the one I sought. You knew that. So, why do I now find you with her so many miles from Skyther?” He waited but Jaeger refused to answer. Celd drew a long, slow, irritated breath. “Could it be, Jaeger, that you defied my wishes? That you wish to claim this Bleeder for your own?"
Anger drove Jaeger's response. “She belongs to no one, Celd. Not me nor you."
Celd snorted. “There you are wrong, my boy. As one of the Chosen, I say who belongs to me. And I lay claim to her. Now, run along. I have work to do."
Jaeger stiffened in rage, not moving. Celd's eyebrows rose in surprise. Rhiannon chose that moment to rouse. Her eyes opened slowly, then widened when she saw Celd hovering over her. Clutching the blanket to her, she scooted away. Her gaze darted from Celd to Jaeger and back.
"Jaeger?” she whispered.
"Was just leaving,” Celd said.
Jaeger doubled his fists in rage as alarm swept over Rhiannon's face. He looked at Celd. “I am not leaving,” he stated calmly. “You are."
Celd drew himself up, seeming to tower over Jaeger, though they were the same height. “I don't think you understand, Jaeger,” he said, his voice low and cold. “I have made a choice. You have nothing to say about it. Do I have to remind you of the Sovereign's punishment for disobedience?"
Jaeger swallowed his fear. “I am aware of the Sovereign's punishment. I'll risk it."
Celd stared at him in open astonishment, then suddenly laughed. He waved one hand through the air, and Jaeger immediately doubled over as excruciating pain tore through him. Rhiannon cried aloud and came to her feet.
"Leave him alone!” she screamed as Jaeger toppled to the ground.
"That's a simple taste of what you'll endure,” Celd told Jaeger. “It'll last for days, weeks even. Bit by bit, you'll die, eaten away from the inside. Is she really worth that, Jaeger?"
Jaeger wanted to answer, to say yes, but the pain consumed him, leaving him unable to do more than moan. Rhiannon gripped his arm, addressing Celd.
"Leave him alone,” she said again. “Whatever it is you seek of me, then take it. But leave him alone."
"No!” Jaeger managed, but before he could say more, Celd's magic spell claimed him, transporting him away from the cave as easily as a dry leaf in a windstorm.
He landed with a jarring thud on the rocks, barely able to breathe, unable to even stand, still dazed from Celd's web of magic. His gaze flew to the cave. It was only several hundred feet away, but it might as well have been several hundred leagues. Jaeger clawed at the ground, pulling himself forward, inch by inch, even as the night began to recede from the land. The sun touched the horizon, stretching long yellow fingers across the land, reaching for him. Tears stung his eyes. Tears of pain, despair, and rage.
Celd would take Rhiannon, make her his, plant the embryo inside her. She would be lost to Jaeger forever, both in body and spiri
t. His heart spasmed with his grief, his soul with his loss. He couldn't let this happen. He had to get to her, had to stop Celd.
The sun's first rays reached him, seared his exposed skin, left him gasping for breath. Still he pulled himself forward, ignoring the blisters erupting on his hands and face. A tiny dark hole opened in the ground before him, beckoning with its dark safety. Jaeger lifted his gaze once more to the cave, so far out of reach. Then, with a resigned sob, he used the last of his energy to transform into a snake and slithered into the hole to wait.
Chapter Eleven
Once in the hole, away from the sunlight, and with a smaller body, Jaeger felt renewed energy. He lay still for a moment to gather his strength, then began to follow the narrow tunnel he found. The farther he went, the darker and cooler it was, the better he felt. He moved quickly, his direction straight and true, hoping this small crevice through which he crawled would open into the cavern housing Rhiannon and Celd. What he would do once he got there, he didn't know.
It was obvious he couldn't fight Celd. The Vector was far too strong. At least, he had been. But what if he lost some of that strength by implanting the embryo? What if coupling with Rhiannon left him momentarily fatigued, as it so often did to Jaeger? Then again, Jaeger reminded himself, Celd wasn't a half-breed. He forced the stinging thought aside. Well, if he couldn't best Celd in a battle, then he would ... would kill Rhiannon. He would rather she died quickly at his hands than die a slow, agonizing death at Celd's. The thought turned his blood to ice.
The tunnel sloped upward, and Jaeger shifted to a tiny mountain shrew, better able to grip the slippery ground beneath him. In moments, he emerged into the cave, but he saw no sign of Rhiannon, Celd or the fire. It took him a moment to orient himself, then he scampered toward the mouth of the cave.
He heard them before he saw them. Celd's moans of ecstasy and Rhiannon's cries of pain left no doubt as to what was happening. Jaeger hurried forward, rage tearing through him, but what he saw upon emerging into the front of the cavern sent his anger to white-hot fury.
Blood Bred Series Book 1: Gift Of Love Page 7
