Well, it was now or never. The spike was already in her hand. Valerie brought it up, grasping it lightly by its sharp tip. Remann tensed his head, snapping up, but the spike was already flying through the air. It hit its target squarely, and Remann went down in a crumpled heap, and the papers he’d been studying scattered everywhere. Valerie’s heart constricted, and tears pricked her eyes as she approached Remann’s collapsed form.
This is for you, Mike, she said silently to herself. She pulled the spike from where it was imbedded in Remann’s spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed for a few minutes. From experience, Valerie knew Remann would regain first consciousness, then his ability to speak, before his vampiric body healed itself. She would have time to question him, find any info she could before she’d plunge the steel into his heart, ending his cursed life.
The steel was cold in her hand, and when she looked at it, the blood smearing its end brought a gasp from her throat. Something cold and frightening entered her, an empty void she hadn’t felt since her human life had been stolen away from her.
It was his kind who had taken it all from her. The desolation welled up within her, causing her to stagger backwards. The spike clattered against the polished cherry floor as Valerie’s legs gave out. Sobs wracked her body, tearing out from her very soul, and it seemed all the anguish in the world was suddenly hers to own. Her lost husband, her lost child, and now Remann, her one chance of a happy life redeemed, was gone.
She hadn’t really cried in a very long time. Even as a child she’d repressed her emotions as her mother had. Her life had altered so dramatically after her change that she hadn’t really mourned the loss of Mike in a traditional way. She’d simply focused on a way to honor his and their child’s memory by getting revenge on every fucking Dissenter she could.
Remann groaned; he was coming to, and in a few more minutes he’d be fully mobile. She needed to act fast, yet she couldn’t pull herself up from the floor. She sat with her legs folded, her face in her hands as she sobbed, letting her misery flow from her with her tears. She sniffed and wiped her face with her shirttail.
“I can’t do it, Remann, I can’t kill you,” she said between hiccups. “You fucking Dissenter waste of space, I can’t do it.”
His limbs twitched. Valerie’s time was nearly out. When Remann came to, she already knew what the consequences would be. Instinct would take over, and he’d be like a rabid dog. He’d come for her, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to overpower someone his size. Kill or be killed—the virus would take control to ensure its life within Remann’s body, as her own would drive her to fight back. It would be of little use; she’d die by his hand as he tore her apart in a frenzied viral rage.
Remann pushed his upper body up, and his head snapped around, his familiar oddly colored eyes focusing on her. His teeth bared, sharp canines extended, and he growled a frighteningly hollow sound that filled the room. Something was different about him, something Valerie couldn’t quite put her finger on. Even his scent had changed somehow. A louder snarl ripped from his chest, and as fear jolted her, she felt her own canines lengthen. She growled back, her thoughts beginning to swim as her adrenaline surged. Valerie moved to a crouched position as Remann suddenly sprung to his feet before crouching himself.
In a blur Remann lunged, his massive weight crashing into her, his teeth snapping just above the soft flesh of her throat. Valerie hissed and struggled, snapping her own teeth, flailing against her attacker. Her body fought, but her mind had already accepted the fact she was about to die by the hand of the Dissenter she’d fallen in love with. Remann’s teeth finally found an opening, and though the adrenaline blocked the pain, she suddenly couldn’t draw a full breath. Something was pooling in her throat, and she choked and gagged, trying to draw in air. Her vision blurred even as the virus pushed her body to keep going. A horrible roar filled her ears, and a moment later Remann’s crushing weight was gone.
She let go, and darkness overtook her.
* * * * *
Remann hadn’t had time to think, only to react once he stepped through the front door to his home. Aiden had Valerie pinned to the floor as dark red blood pooled beneath her. Aiden’s head snapped around, blood streaming from his jaws, a horrendous sight even to an experienced vampire. Valerie’s throat was open. Remann lunged, and they tumbled and crashed through his living room. They had had fights throughout the centuries when human anger had gotten the best of them, but this had been the first time he’d faced his brother in a virus-induced rage. Furniture snapped into pieces, and glass rained down from a window they fell against.
“Aiden!” Remann yelled again and again, trying to reach the human through the crazed beast he’d become. At last, as Remann struggled to keep his brother’s fangs at bay, Aiden blinked and sucked in a hard breath.
“Remann?”
The fight was over.
Chapter Nine
Valerie felt weightless; she was drifting in emptiness. She called out, but her voice couldn’t reach even her own ears. She called louder and louder until at last her voice broke through.
“Remann,” she said in a rough whisper, the name repeating itself in her mind. She grasped at the memory of a broad white smile and intriguing mismatched eyes that pulled her from this dark world. Valerie hurt. As her ravaged body healed itself, she felt such pain as she hadn’t experienced since she’d gone through her change. Deep-timbered voices spoke softly near her.
Was she sleeping? Valerie didn’t sleep. Confusion overwhelmed her as she opened her eyes. The room was dim, and she blinked, trying to focus. Two figures moved near her, and she concentrated on them. Finally she could make sense of it. Two large, broad-shouldered men hovered over her. Two pairs of mismatched eyes studied her with frowns creasing their foreheads. One smiled broadly, his perfect white teeth gleaming, and the other offered her a small, tight smile with his sensual lips.
She was looking at two Remanns.
“Is this Hell?” she said in a raspy whisper. She winced at the sound and the raw pain in her throat. It made sense that she’d spend eternity with the one who’d offered her lust, love, and death. Valerie was faced with twice the torture now.
“No, my beautiful Valerie, you are very much alive,” one of the Remanns said, grasping her hand. The other Remann backed away from the bed, his body tense and his eyes constantly searching. Like a Hunter, she thought.
“My love, I’m so happy to see you’re healing without a mark. Vampires are truly remarkable creatures,” the Remann near her said.
“Why did you attack me?” the other Remann asked gruffly. The first Remann darted a glance in his direction.
Valerie’s mind became more lucid, and she began questioning her circumstances.
“Why are there two of you, Remann?” she asked, her voice becoming stronger, less hoarse.
“Two? No, my love, this is my brother Aiden. He’s here from Chicago—I’m sure I’ve mentioned him to you before,” Remann said.
“Answer my question, Valerie,” Aiden said. “Are you hunting Remann?”
Valerie took a deep breath. Should she reveal what she knew? She looked into Remann’s eyes, really looked into his dark and pale gaze full of compassion and confusion. Something welled up from deep within her, and she felt both elated and crushed beneath its weight. As she peered into Remann’s eyes, the rest of the world fell away, taking with it her mistrust and anger.
There had to be a mistake—this man can’t be a Dissenter, Valerie thought desperately. I can’t accept that.
“My Contact told me you were head of a Dissenter pocket,” she said at last. Remann sucked in a hard breath. Aiden growled.
* * * * *
“The bitch,” Remann ground out. He looked to Aiden, who stood with fists balled at his sides as he stared out the bedroom window. Valerie’s delicate brows knit in confusion as she looked from him to his brother. Her color was coming back and soon the bandaging could come off her throat. It was amazing that the virus could recover
from such a hideous wound. It reminded Remann that their bodies weren’t truly their own after the change.
Through the time that he’d known Margaret Hawes, he’d heard rumors of her lovers disappearing from time to time. It wasn’t unheard of for vampires to vanish without a trace as they left one life behind for another in their never-ending quest to appear mortal. One couldn’t remain the same age for an eternity in one place.
Remann shook his head in disgust.
“My beautiful Valerie, there is something you should know.” Remann stroked the soft brown hair from her forehead that was still matted and knotted with her blood. He sat on the edge of his bed where she was lying. “Margaret Hawes and I were at one time engaged. It was over a century ago. I’m afraid she had an unsettled score with me.”
“What the fuck?” Valerie tried to pull her hand from his. He held it tight. Behind him, Aiden slipped from the bedroom.
“It’s true, love, but unfortunately she wasn’t content with only one man in her life. I quit the engagement, and she never quite forgave me, as I can see now.”
Valerie’s face spoke of her uncertainty. Remann held his breath.
“I’ve known Marge for a long time…” she said, letting her voice trail off.
* * * * *
Valerie worked it over in her head as she stared at the broad, strong hand that held hers. A hand that could be so gentle, yet drive her to such erotic extremes. Her gaze moved to Remann’s sensual lips that were curved in his ever present smile. She felt as if she were floating again, only this time not in an empty void, and this time she wasn’t alone. Her heartbeat rang in her ears.
“It didn’t seem right, didn’t feel right in my gut,” she said as butterflies erupted within her. Remann’s breath left in a whoosh. His face was positively glowing.
“No, my love—no, it wasn’t right,” he said. He placed a genteel kiss on the top of her hand. Her skin sizzled beneath the touch of his hot lips. She met his odd eyes once more.
“I attacked your brother, I’m so sorry, I thought it was you. I just couldn’t go through with it. I’d rather have died than kill you.”
Remann chuckled.
“I’m quite sure Aiden is grateful for that fact.” Remann kissed her hand once again, his lips lingering this time, promising. Blood stirred between Valerie’s thighs.
“I must tell you, my beautiful Valerie, from the first time I saw you in that rundown warehouse you took my breath away. I fear I’ve completely lost my heart to you.”
Valerie’s heart stammered, and she blinked rapidly, holding her breath.
“I love you, my beauty.”
* * * * *
Remann held his breath, noting the way his hands trembled as they held her hand. Valerie’s light brown brows arched, and then the most remarkable thing happened. Her full lips drew up, and she gave him the most amazing and heartrending smile he had ever seen. Her large brown eyes crinkled at their corners and glowed from within.
“I…” Valerie swallowed and cleared her throat. She winced, and her free hand came to the bandage on her neck. “I think—no, I know—that I love you, too.” Her last three words came in a rush. She continued to smile, seemingly pleased with how the words sounded.
“I love you, Remann, I love you.” Her demeanor changed, her muscles relaxed, and she gripped his hand tightly. Remann lowered himself, placing a gentle kiss on her smiling lips. She brought her free hand up and knotted her fingers within his silky strands. Her return kiss was urgent, searching, and he wanted nothing more than to crawl into his bed with her. Instead he eased away.
“Not yet—a few more hours, love, until you’ve healed completely.”
Valerie giggled, an honest, girlish giggle, though husky with her injury.
“I guess I can wait.”
* * * * *
Life had settled into a new routine with Remann. Valerie had moved to Chicago into the biggest house she’d ever seen, a huge turn-of-the-twentieth-century mansion that the brothers had renovated. She had met Aiden’s human girlfriend who lived there as well, a petite, friendly woman with enviable curves, as well as her tall, gangly half-sister Melanie. The size of the home gave everyone the privacy they desired. Valerie had never been part of such a happy, close-knit family, and the adjustment was taking some time.
The last she had heard of her contact, Margaret Hawes, she’d been rejected from the Order of Terminus, having committed a cardinal sin against their strict rule system. Whether she had gone into hiding or had suffered her coming punishment, Valerie didn’t know or care.
Remann’s arms came around her as they watched the sun setting through the large picture window in the bedchamber. Their naked bodies fit together perfectly, still damp with sweat from their crazed lovemaking only minutes before.
The sun had set on her old hard life, and she only had beautiful sunrises to look forward to from now on.
“I love you.” Remann’s whispered words would be hers throughout eternity.
Author Bio
Olivia grew up doodling, daydreaming, and drafting prose. When she’s not hard at work at her computer, she’s spending time outdoors. She’s a sucker for a furry face and plays mom to four dogs, four horses, and two cats, all of whom are rescues. She invites readers to drop by her website, www.OliviaStarke.webs.com, and to look for her on Facebook.
Blood Mercy Page 5
