"I was high from the hunt," she lied.
"If I remember correctly it was more than one time," he said in grim victory. Jaden grimaced. "If you don’t remember it, love, I would be happy to remind you."
Her eyes searched his coldly. In fact, for a fleeting moment, she had been attracted to him. He was strong, smart and witty. He had an easy smile and a good heart. He was loyal in a business when loyalty was to be prized above all else. But their affair was before she discovered he was her uncle’s hired gun. With deliberate slowness she pulled her arm from his grasp. The movement showed no effort as she lifelessly glared at him.
"You’re afraid to feel. I know what you are and that scares you. You liked it when you thought me a civilian. Hell, you didn’t even mind when I told you I worked special ops for the government. It was fine for me to kill other men in combat. But step on Jade’s precious territory and that changes everything." Rick’s cheeks became red with anger. His breathing deepened. "You can’t stand that I accept you as you are!"
"You should have told me you worked for my uncle. You lied to me," she said with ease.
"You never asked," he said hotly. Rick’s bitterness was palpable. "And you better than anyone should know the secrecy that our lives demand. It isn’t like I could just blurt out what I am over coffee. In fact, you never told me who you were. You abandoned me in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye letter. It was only by chance that I discovered who you were when I came here to meet with Mack."
During the silence that followed, Rick studied the hard countenance of her face. Her eyes, though focused on him, didn’t see him. He could’ve left and she would never have known, never have moved to stop him. Slowly, his gaze fell to her lips. Narrowing his gaze, he was hard pressed to hide his frown. Carefully, he said, "You haven’t said how that vampire got into your room or why for that matter."
"The same way he left I would imagine," she sighed, her eyes clearing from the fog. Slowly she turned, walking over to her dresser. Pulling a cotton shirt from her drawer, she tugged her tank off and pulled the fresh one over her head, unmindful of Rick’s watching gaze. She kept her back to him. Rick was not so unaware of her, as he studied the strong line of her back marred by thin scars from her work. He saw the bruise fading from her shoulder.
"I have never seen a vampire dissolve into mist," Rick said. "It must be some sort of trick."
"No," Jaden said. "He’s just a bit different than the others."
When she turned to him, Rick asked, "And why did he come to you? What did he want? For this is a long way to climb for a meal, especially when there are so many sheep below us grazing the city streets. Did he bite you?"
"You saw that he didn’t." Jaden sucked her bottom lip in slightly.
"Then what did he want with you?" he probed. His hand lifted to examine the bruise on her features. She jerked her head away. "Is he the one who did this?"
"You’d have to ask him what he wanted. Why don’t you go find him and try to figure it out? I don’t really care," she answered with a flippant toss of her head. "If he comes back, I’ll be ready for him."
Rick read the lie easily on her face. Her round eyes lowered slightly unable to meet his probing gaze. In that moment, she looked vulnerable--like a real woman.
"I know you are an indicium," he whispered under his breath. He knew she could hear him. Jaden bit her lip automatically feeling the puckering marks. She should have known Rick would see it. He never missed a detail, no matter how slight. "Was that the one who did it to you?"
Jaden refused to answer. She turned her back on him.
"Does Mack know?" he insisted.
Still she remained quiet.
"Damn it, Jade!" Rick leaned forward, grabbing her roughly by the back of her head, tangling his fingers in her hair. With a heavy tug, he spun her around. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He had seen her strength waver as he mentioned her mark. In a rough kiss, the first he had dared since their affair, he pulled her into his embrace. His thick arms wound possessively around her. His intent was clear. He didn’t try to hide what he wanted from her. He knew Jaden would accept nothing less than pure honesty. She could detect a lie.
Jaden could feel the comfortable press of him to her skin. Her heart raced. But when she closed her eyes it was not Rick she saw. It was a dark evil with piercing blue eyes filled with ice and terror. It was emotionless lips taunting her with mocking disdain. She hated those lips--those undead eyes. Jaden came to her senses, tearing herself away.
"It’s been five years. We are not going to happen," she panted.
"You felt something," he charged. His look dared her to deny it and she did with little effort.
"I feel nothing," she said quietly. She gazed at him with wide green eyes filled with pity and sadness. "I am dead, Rick."
Rick’s protest died on his lips. The fight slowly drained from his limbs. He saw she believed it to be true. There was no passion in her gaze. Angrily, he spun away. He didn’t want the emotionless creature before him--the hunter tired of the hunt. He wanted the young, adventurous woman she had been when he had met her--hot and determined in her place in life. She had understood him like no other. She knew the thrill of the hunt, the glory of doing one’s duty, the satisfaction of ridding the world of evil. She understood the sacrifices they had to make.
With a stiff nod, Rick stalked away. He vowed to help her out of this mess with the bold vampire and then he would devote himself to making her feel again--to become the woman she once was.
Stopping at the door, he said, "Get dressed. Tonight we hunt together."
Jaden didn’t have time to answer. Rick was gone before she could collect her thoughts. Wearily staring at the window, she crossed over to the glass. With a weak moan, she balled her hand onto the curtain and leaned into it. She could sense Tyr wasn’t there waiting for her. No, there was no hurry with Tyr. He would come for her again when he was ready. And no amount of protection would be able to stop him.
Chapter Four
"You told my uncle," Jaden said with mild accusation. She stared forward, not trusting herself to look at Rick as he moved effortlessly by her side. The city was pleasantly quiet as they made their way. The loudest sound was their gentle footfall as they walked along the hard, abandoned sidewalk. A cool breeze nipped at the night making the air smell clean. "I know you did. His eyes didn’t move away from my lip."
"He is worried about you," Rick defended. "And he has a right to know--"
"He has a right to know only that which I decide to tell him," she broke in with a harsh frown. She didn’t break stride as they passed a row of stoops. "And only what I tell him. You might be employed by him, but I am not."
"Who are you kidding, Jade?" Rick grimaced at her hard tone. "Who pays for everything? Who gives you assignments? Who tells you where to go and what to do? You may be his niece, but you are still employed by him."
Jaden bit back the curse that threatened to pass through her lips. She thought of Tyr’s mocking of her vulgar speech and hated herself for caring what he thought. And she hated Rick for having a point.
"What’s the assignment then?" she grumbled. Jaden noticed he wore a comfortable pair of blue jeans and a sweater, not his usual scouting attire. A waft of cologne stirred every time he moved. It was a strong, seductive scent. It made her want to rip at his clothes in a most primal way.
"There is none. I am supposed to take you out and show you a good time." At her suspicious look, he added with a charming smile, "Mack’s words, not mine."
"It’s a good thing I stole this address from the top of his desk, then," Jaden smirked. She felt herself softening against Rick. He wasn’t such a bad guy. And, if truth be told, he was the closest thing she had to a friend. She lifted a small piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him. "Or else we would have nothing to do."
"What’s this?"
"I thought we’d crash Tom’s party tonight," she said dismissively.
"How--?"
"How did I get it?" Jaden broke in with an impish smile. She shook her head, her eyes saying he should know better than to ask such things. "I have been trained by the stealthiest of thieves and the most successful of criminals. I could steal Atlantis from the ocean if I wanted to."
"Jaden, you heard your uncle. You know he wouldn’t like this." Rick glanced at the address before stuffing it in his pocket. He peered around the street, ignoring the few pedestrians trailing opposite them and the bright headlights of the occasional car.
"I believe he ordered you to show me a good time. And I can think of nothing I would like more than to piss off Tom." Jaden purposefully shot him a naughty smile. Rick was surprised by the look and said nothing. His heart sped a little at the mischief he read in her. "Come on, it’s about two blocks this way."
Jaden’s pace hastened, forcing Rick to keep up. Without quickening their breath, they reached the end of the second block. Suddenly, Jaden stopped. Her skin prickled as she looked around. Within an instant, she was crouching to the ground behind a parked Suburban with Rick at her side.
"What?" he whispered. Without his normal weaponry he was uncomfortable. When Jaden looked at him, her eyes held unspoken merriment. She pointed into the distance, over a clearing of trees near a little park.
Waving her hand, she took off across the street. Covertly, she moved over the concrete to the fenced yard. Jumping over the wrought iron fence, she landed neatly on the ground. Rick was right behind her.
Sprinting to a tree, she ducked behind the old trunk. Her expression turned serious as she squinted into the night. Instantly, she took in her surroundings.
"Can you see that?" Jaden asked, pointing to a black van parked on the side street.
"What about it?" Rick asked. His body tensed on full alert. "Is our vampire in there?"
"No, I don’t feel any vampires. Look at the roof. What is that?" Jaden peered at the strange protrusion.
"It’s a surveillance vehicle," Rick whispered. He shot Jaden a confused shake of his head. "But it’s hardly stealthy with that scope on top."
"Police?" she asked.
"It could be but I doubt it. It’s a little too obvious, even for the police."
"Should we go check it out?" Jaden moved, not waiting for an answer. Rick grabbed her arm, pulling her back. His chin jutted, directing her attention to the clearing within the trees.
Seeing a lone woman walking along an earth path, Jaden froze. The soft floral pattern of her schoolmarm sundress and perfect bun were sorely out of place in the darkened park. Tilting her face towards Rick, she kept her gaze trained on the woman. Silently she mouthed, "Vamp."
Rick nodded in understanding. The vampire stumbled as if drunk or confused.
Jaden sensed another presence around them. Looking at Rick, she leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "We’re not alone."
"Something’s not right," Rick said, voicing both their worries. He frowned, his gaze narrowing as he peered around them.
"She is newly turned. A few days at most," Jaden said in a whisper. Such a creature was not a usual target, at least not one requiring more than one person to track. However, by the way her nerves jumped, the small park was filling up fast.
Just then a man jumped down from the tree, tackling the vampire to the ground. Several more followed him, ganging up on the creature. The vampire screamed--an awful, crazed sound. She fought gallantly, throwing off several of her assailants as she tried to regain footing against the onslaught. The men made a dramatic show of struggle against her--falling too far when punched, rolling into the dirt when lightly kicked. To the untrained eye, it looked as if the young vampiress would thwart the attackers. Jaden knew they were holding back, which she expressed in a glance at Rick.
The fight took much longer than it should have, considering the skill and strength of the men and the newness of the vampire. With one strike of a stake, the battle would’ve been over and the vampiress defeated. Finally, one of the men took out a tazer and shocked the vampire into submission. The creature howled and shook as she fell to the ground. Descending upon her the men spared her life, but bound her limbs with rope.
With a screech of tires, another van came bounding forward. The men carted the weakened vampire away, stuffing themselves and their captive into the second van. Within moments it was over. The second black van left as quickly as it came. The park was all but cleared.
"Is that how you usually do business?" Jaden asked. She glared at Rick.
"No," Rick murmured, disturbed. "We never take prisoners."
"Is that…?" Jaden began.
"Tom," Rick finished for her with a hard jerk. "Come on."
Coming out from behind the tree, Rick stormed forward. Jaden was quick behind him. Tom, hearing their approach, spun on his heels. Seeing Rick, he sighed in relief. He pulled the black mask from his features. Seeing Jaden, he grimaced, a small sound of displeasure escaping his throat as he rolled his eyes in a show of great annoyance.
"What’s going on here?" Rick demanded gruffly.
"Routine capture," Tom answered with a deceitful smile. His eyes glanced over Rick’s street attire before training on Jaden. He could smell the man’s cologne. Seeing Jaden dressed as she always was, he was hard pressed to hide his smirk. His eyes darted over her athletic frame, unable to help the manly appreciation he felt, as he continued quietly, "All finished."
"Who’s in the van?" Jaden asked with a hard set of her jaw. She pretended not to notice the way Tom was staring at her or the way he licked his lips thoughtfully. She didn’t trust him and she definitely didn’t like him.
"What van?" Tom smiled. He gave his most innocent look at the two. "Oh, that van. That is just some of the new trainees. Mack wanted to revamp the training program a bit. He thought it would be best for them to see what they were up against before setting them out into the field."
"Oh, yes," Jaden muttered wryly. "And that was such a vicious creature. Was she giving the vampire children too much homework?"
Tom glared at her. His nostrils flared but he bit his tongue.
"And the capture?" Rick probed, hoping to break into the impending fight. "Why the big show? You could’ve handled that one alone."
"Talk to Mack. I’m just following orders," Tom answered. He gave Jaden a curt nod and began walking towards the awaiting vehicle.
"Hey, wait a minute. I would like to meet some of the new trainees," Rick said suspiciously. He followed Tom. The man hesitated. He kept his back to the two intruders. Jaden shared a concerned glance with Rick. "I wasn’t aware we had any."
"Mack thought it best to replace the two I lost last weekend in Florida," Tom delayed. His hands gripped nervously at his black mask. Hearing a noise by the surveillance van, all eyes turned towards the opening door. A man’s head poked cautiously out of the back. Jaden squinted, trying to place the overly slender face. The man looked too old and too thin to be in their business. He disappeared behind the door as quickly as he popped out. Tom glanced at Jaden and then Rick, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
"I see," Rick expressed thoughtfully. He leaned closer to Jaden. To his pleasure, she didn’t back away from him. Tom eyes again moved over Rick’s layman attire and then focused on Jaden curiously.
"On a date?" Tom smirked. Jaden’s chin jutted into the air. Rick felt her stiffen and frowned. Tom snorted in merriment at the very idea. Giving a blatantly lewd glance over Jaden’s plain attire, he winked at Rick. "You two kids have fun."
"We are patrolling the streets," Jaden snapped. It was Rick’s turn to stiffen at her waspish denial. He didn’t have to have her innate abilities to sense the discomfort Tom’s implication gave her.
"Well, we are running late. I’ve got to get the trainees back," Tom said quietly. He knew that his planned barb had successfully taken the couple’s minds away from his purpose. He made haste towards the vehicle only to call over his shoulder, "But I’ll be sure to bring them by the penthouse later. We’ll have a meet n’ greet.
"
As soon as the van was gone, Rick turned to Jaden. His hand began reaching for her shoulder as he stepped closer to her. With a grim look of assurance, he said, "He was lying."
"Tell me something I don’t know.…" Jaden’s words trailed off. A shiver worked its way up her spine. She backed away from Rick’s oncoming hand to look around.
"What is it?" Rick questioned sharply. He knew that look on Jaden’s face. Instinct taking over, he peered around in the darkness. He found nothing. Not even the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
Jaden narrowed her gaze in agitation. They were being watched. She could feel a purposeful stare peering at her through the darkness. It boiled her blood and consumed her skin with a fire. She knew who it was. Tyr.
"It’s nothing," Jaden muttered, suddenly very glad Rick was by her side. She pulled lightly on his arm to get his attention. "Let’s go."
Jaden led him back the way they came. She refused to turn around, knowing that Tyr would come to them if he wanted to be seen. Quickening their pace, Jaden moved towards a more crowded part of the street, hoping to lose their stalker. They walked in silence for sometime, both of them lost in thought. The feeling of an undead gaze haunted her and the aloof woman at his side haunted Rick. He kept his eyes casually away, all the time aware of her movements.
"I’ll ask Mack what was going on as soon as we get back," Rick began when she refused to speak. "I’d bet Tom is up to something."
"I don’t think you should. Let me do it," Jaden said softly. The presence slowly disappeared from her senses. She sighed in relief. "Let’s call it a night and go home. There is nothing going on in the city anyway."
* * * *
Tyr scowled. Perching on a limb, he watched Jaden from the height of the tall park trees. Only his eyes moved, glinting a dangerous red-black as he looked at the cozy scene unfolding in the night. The rest of him froze, encased by the rattle of leaves in the wind.
The Jaded Hunter Page 7
