“Human?” Kyleigh asked, her brow knit in confusion.
“Yeah, I thought my father was human. My uncle never exactly said that, but he always let everyone assume it.”
“That was smart,” Kyleigh said. “Your other half is just awakening.”
“What can you tell me about my other half?” she asked, desperate to learn more.
“Not much,” Kyleigh said. “I can only sense vague things, like you’re very powerful and have a strong connection to nature.”
“My uncle said my father was a mage, and Raven said he must have been a forest mage.”
Kyleigh nodded. “Raven told me you were a forest mage, and I would have to agree with her. Of course, that’s not an area I have much experience in. The Fae do not like the mage because the mage don’t fear them like other species do.”
“I fear the Fae,” Quinn said.
“Only because you don’t know any better yet,” was Kyleigh’s cryptic reply.
There was no time for further discussion because they were standing outside the door to the room where Danny was sparring with a scary looking vampire. He was shirtless and very sweaty. The vampire’s arms were wrapped around Danny’s waist, pinning his arms to his sides and lifting him off the mat, while Danny’s muscles strained to break the vampire’s hold.
“Stop relying on your new strength and remember your training,” Connor snapped from the side of the room.
That’s when Danny went completely limp, throwing the vampire off balance just long enough to free one arm and slam it up into the vampire’s chin. The larger vampire went down with a thud.
“Not exactly what you were trained to do, but effective,” Connor said with a nod. “Get up, Rand,” he ordered the larger vampire. “He didn’t hit you that hard.”
Rand got to his feet, still a little shaky. “You wanna spar with him next?”
Before Connor could answer, Danny spotted Quinn and shook his head. “I think I’m done training for the day. Quinn, this is Rand,” he said, gesturing to the scary vampire.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Rand said as he took her hand with a gentleness that didn’t match his appearance. “My wife wanted to go by to check on you today, but she’s out on patrol.”
“I’m sure I’ll meet her another time,” Quinn replied a little nervously. “Sorry if I’m interrupting training.”
“I didn’t think you’d mind,” Kyleigh said.
“Nah,” Danny assured them. “I invited Quinn to come with me. We really were about done. New strength or not, I can only handle having Rand toss my ass around for so long.”
Rand chuckled. “You were holding your own. I don’t recall tossing you too many times.”
“Your problem is that you think your strength is enough,” Connor interjected. “Since you’re our first human fighter to become a vampire, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this doesn’t surprise me. For the next few weeks, I want you to focus on training. You need to learn how to fight with your new abilities.”
Danny nodded and ran a hand through his hair. “You’re right. Funny, I didn’t have any trouble fighting off the shifters, but now, I can’t handle Rand.”
“You’re distracted,” said a human from the edge of the mats.
Quinn turned to face the man who’d spoken, and he grinned at her.
“Quinn, this is my friend, Mark,” Danny said by way of introduction.
Mark glided forward, and Quinn got the impression he was planning to mess with Danny by the sidelong glance Mark shot his way. Leaning forward, Mark pressed his full lips against her cheek. “It’s nice to meet you, Quinn,” he said with a wink before pulling away.
There was no denying Mark was attractive. Thick lashes framed his hazel eyes, and his muscles moved gracefully under his shirt. His skin was an appealing shade of brown, and his long brown hair was twisted in locks that hung down past his shoulders.
“Can I touch your hair?” she asked, but she immediately felt a little silly. Shifters naturally touched, but she knew others might find it strange.
Mark’s welcoming grin put her at ease. “You can touch whatever you want,” he practically purred.
Quinn looked over at Danny, expecting him to be angry with Mark’s flirting, but Danny just chuckled. “I’m too tired to fight you, asshole,” he said to Mark.
“That’s why I figured I’d pick a fight now,” Mark said with a laugh. “No way I can beat you unless Rand wears you out first.” His attention returned to Quinn. “You can touch my hair. Sorry if I offended you with my flirting. I just like messing with Danny.”
“Have you met my cousins?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Kyleigh laughed. “You’d have to learn to deal with offensive comments to put up with Zane.”
“The other two can be just as bad,” Quinn said and then reached out to stroke Mark’s hair. “I’ve never felt hair this texture before. How do you get it to stay like that?”
“It took quite some time to get them to lock in place,” Mark explained. “I used to go down to the shore on the island where I grew up to get salt water. Then I’d wet my hair and twist it. Eventually, it stayed this way.”
“I like it,” Quinn said.
Danny slipped his arms around her, drenching the back of her shirt with his sweaty chest. The shifter in her wanted to lean back and make sure his scent covered her skin. She inhaled deeply and let out a contented sigh.
Mark’s grin widened.
“What are you smiling about?” Danny demanded.
“He’s smiling because it’s nice to see you happy,” Connor said.
“We’ve all been worried about you,” Rand added. “No one was sure how you’d handle being a vampire.”
“Quinn’s helping you survive this,” Mark said. “Something tells me, if you hadn’t run into her, you might have kept running.”
Danny didn’t answer, probably because even he wasn’t sure if he would have come back home had he not ended up at the shifter community.
“Go home and have some blood,” Connor said. “You’ve been training for nearly three hours.”
“That long?” Danny asked in surprise.
“Yes, I’ve been timing it,” Connor said. “You should set timers on your phone like Mitchell has.”
“You’re right,” Danny said. “Much as I hate drinking blood, I need to keep my heart beating. Come on, beautiful. Let’s go home, and you can tell me all about the stuff you found on my computer.”
Quinn nodded and turned toward Kyleigh. “Thank you for coming by and trying to help me better understand what I am.”
“Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, but I did enjoy meeting you,” Kyleigh said. “Once Danny has a phone for you, have him add my number so you can message me or call me if you need anything.”
“I will,” Quinn said, excited about the prospect of having a phone to play with. It’s when she looked over at Danny that she frowned. The reminder of needing blood clearly bothered him. With any luck, she could talk him into taking her blood when they got home so it would be easier for him.
Chapter Fifty-One
Quinn’s silence during the walk back to his house worried Danny.
“What did you and Kyleigh talk about?” he finally asked.
“Not too much,” Quinn said. “She thinks the reason I haven’t accepted you as my mate has to do with my mage side.”
“What do you think?” he asked.
Quinn stopped, and so did he. They faced each other, unconcerned with the people passing by, and Danny cupped her cheek. “You can tell me the truth,” he said softly. “If you aren’t ready, we can wait. It’s not like you’re leaving me.” He really hoped he didn’t sound desperate and needy.
“That’s just it,” she said. “I am ready. Or at least I feel like I am. I have no idea what’s holding me back.”
Danny pulled her into his arms, wanting to reassure her it didn’t bother him even though it did. “If it weren’t for the shifter blood, I’d proba
bly be telling you we should take this slow. In fact, I know I’d be worried about how fast things are moving between us. Humans don’t jump into relationships like this—not healthy ones anyway.”
“Things usually move very quickly with shifters,” she said.
“But we aren’t shifters,” he reminded her. “Okay, you’re part shifter, but I’m pretty sure that’s not your dominant side. I wish I could promise I’ll stop pushing to mark you. Hell, I keep telling myself I’m going to let it go, but I act crazy when I’m near you. I want to tell you that’s going to change, but I’d be lying. Until I mark you, I’m pretty sure I’ll continue to act a little crazy.”
Quinn nodded, and Danny felt her relax against his body. “I get it. Growing up around shifters, I know all about the mating instinct. I just hope I don’t drive you away.”
“That won’t happen,” he assured her.
Quinn’s cheek was pressed against his bare chest, making him glad he’d left his shirt off. Groaning, Danny felt his body instantly harden, which was pretty much what always happened when he was close to Quinn. He tried to get his mind off of being inside of Quinn because they needed to talk.
“Did you enjoy your visit with Kyleigh?” he asked.
Quinn pulled away slightly, and even though that was a good thing, he was still a little disappointed. “Yes. Kyleigh is really nice, nothing like I’d expected any of the Fae to be.”
“Probably because Kyleigh’s mom was human and did a good job of keeping the Fae away from her while she was growing up,” Danny explained.
“That’s probably it,” Quinn said. “From what you’ve said about your friend, Ian, I expected his mate to be harder, maybe a little bitchy.”
“I know what you mean. Ian doesn’t seem like the type to be with someone as nice as Kyleigh. I’d like to tell you Ian’s a different man around her, but he’s still pretty moody. Ian is much better now that he’s got Kyleigh and Mitchell in his life. Did I ever tell you about Mitchell?” Danny asked.
Quinn thought for a moment. “I don’t think so.”
“Mitchell’s about sixteen, or so we’re guessing. To the best of my knowledge, he’s the first turned vampire whose heart kept beating after the change. That’s only happened with the new virus. Mitchell was captured when he and a group of other turned vampires attacked this settlement. That was before I moved here. From what I was told, everyone was pretty sure they’d end up having to kill Mitchell. They all figured his heart would stop beating, and that he’d become crazed like the other turned vampires. Ian basically adopted him, and I can tell he loves Mitchell.”
“After what happened to his first mate and his daughter, I’m glad he’s found some happiness.” Quinn’s eyes turned sad. “There’s so much ugliness around us most days. It must be scary thinking about bringing a baby into this world.”
“Does it bother you?” Danny asked before realizing she probably had no idea what he was asking. “What I mean is, does it bother you that I can’t give you a baby?”
“I wasn’t aware that you couldn’t,” she said. “I’ve always been told half-breeds can’t have children, so I never even considered the possibility of being a mother. Does it bother you that you can’t have children?”
“Yes,” he admitted. “I know it’s insane to even think about bringing a child into this world, but I always pictured myself as a father. In the back of my mind, I still have these great memories of my dad. They’re all hazy because I was so young when he died, but I always imagined creating those types of memories with my own child.”
“I’m sorry,” Quinn said, looking somewhat helpless.
“I’ll get over it,” Danny said. “So, you never even thought about having kids?”
“This may sound crazy, but I never considered my future,” Quinn admitted. “Not just kids, but any aspect of my future. Most of my life has been spent worrying about whether I’d change when I turn twenty-seven. I didn’t even want to think about what would happen if I didn’t. The idea of having to leave my home was terrifying and felt like a death sentence. Now, I’ve left my home earlier than I expected, and I still have no idea what I want to do, other than being with you.”
“There are a lot of options here,” Danny said. “You’re a good fighter. Connor would put you on patrol, but I don’t think that would be a good idea. You could also help with the training, and they always need help at the schools and with distributing supplies. Hell, there’s no end of things to do.”
“You don’t think I should to go out on patrol?” she asked.
“Do you?”
“Not really,” she said with a shake of her head. “I don’t seem to have the same desire to fight most shifters do. Funny how I’ve only been here one day, and you’re already trying to put me to work,” she complained, but it was obvious she was teasing him.
“I can’t have people coming around telling me my mate is lazy,” he said.
“Just for that, I’m making you do all the work in bed tonight,” she said with a playful wink.
Danny grinned. “Now, that’s not much of a threat. Let’s go home or I’ll end up forgetting we’re in public and fuck you right here.”
Quinn’s sexy smile nearly made him forget his resolve to take her home first. Damn, this woman killed his self-control, and he loved it.
Chapter Fifty-Two
“What do you mean, they’re gone?” Roger asked in a deceptively calm voice.
“The guards were inside the room watching to see when the shapeshifters started to recover from the tranquilizers,” Nate responded with his hands clasped behind his back. Fear was coming from every pore of Nate’s body, washing over Roger like a drug. Swallowing hard, Nate continued. “I’m assuming the shapeshifters recovered faster than anyone expected when the tranquilizer dosage was decreased. The guards were seriously injured. They’ll survive, but neither remember much about the attack. The shapeshifters were long gone when I arrived to relieve the guards.”
Roger’s anger was a living, breathing thing in that moment. “They can’t have just disappeared!” he shouted. “Someone had to notice three men walking around naked.”
“People are still being questioned, so it’s possible someone we haven’t spoken with yet saw them.”
“Who ordered the guards to stay in the room instead of watching from outside the door?” While Roger had ordered his guards to notify him immediately if the shapeshifters became more alert, he hadn’t expected them to wait in the room.
“Abram gave the order,” Nate said quietly.
Roger’s hands fisted. “Bring Abram to me,” he ground out.
Nate nodded and hurried out of the room. Roger couldn’t help but wonder if Abram had been somehow involved in letting his prizes go. Of course, he couldn’t figure out what Abram would have to gain from letting the shapeshifters escape.
“You won’t hurt my son, will you?” Jeff asked.
Roger had almost forgotten Jeff was in the room. Turning, Roger studied the aging human who’d been so loyal to their cause. Loyalty such as his deserved a reward. Unfortunately for Jeff, people didn’t usually get what they deserved in life. Roger’s lowly position was proof of that.
It had come as a pleasant surprise to discover that not only did Abram have family, but that Abram’s father was one of Roger’s most trusted guards.
“Do you think your son has betrayed me?” Roger asked, studying Jeff.
Jeff shook his head, looking terrified. “He wouldn’t betray you. Abram even got infected to better serve the cause. Why would anyone agree to that if they weren’t loyal to you?”
Jeff was a fool if he believed that was why everyone volunteered. Many were looking for more power or some sort of immortality. “How loyal are you to the cause?” Roger asked.
“I would do anything,” Jeff said without hesitation.
“Yet you refused to be infected,” Roger said.
“You’re right,” Jeff agreed sounding shamed. “It terrifies me.”
&nbs
p; “Would you die for the cause?”
“I would gladly die to destroy our enemies,” Jeff answered without hesitation.
“And your son?” Roger asked. “Would you die to protect your son?”
“Yes,” Jeff said quickly. “I’ll do anything to protect my son.”
“I believe Abram is planning to betray me, if he hasn’t done so already,” Roger said.
“He wouldn’t,” Jeff insisted, but he refused to meet Roger’s eyes, meaning Abram was not completely loyal.
With a sad sigh, Roger stared at Jeff—one of the few people he thought he might be able to trust. Losing Jeff would be difficult, and Roger felt almost emotional about it. Sadly, he needed Abram more. Abram was stronger, younger, and had the potential to be a good soldier. Jeff’s refusal to become a vampire meant he wasn’t nearly as useful. Roger had noticed how the human’s hands ached, and how he limped on occasion. He was old, and he would die soon.
“You’re going to kill me, aren’t you?” Jeff asked, swallowing hard.
Roger didn’t have time to respond before Abram was led into the room. “You wanted to see me?” Abram asked, carefully keeping his gaze from his father.
“Why were the guards in the room with the shapeshifters?” Roger demanded.
Abram looked confused by the question. “You told me to make sure you were notified as soon as they started to wake up. How were the guards supposed to see them waking up through a closed door?”
Roger’s temper nearly snapped at Abram’s insolent tone. “You are only alive because I believe killing you would create dissention among my followers.”
Abram was clearly fighting to keep his own temper under control. Roger could tell he wanted to make some snarky comment. What bothered Roger most about Abram was the almost smug look in his eyes.
“You need to learn a valuable lesson. You need to learn that you are not without weaknesses,” Roger said before grabbing Jeff’s head and snapping his neck with a quick twist. This quick death was proof that he’d had his own soft spot for the human.
“No!” Abram screamed as he rushed toward his father’s body.
Shattered Restraint Page 25
