by Ryans, Rae
“Buddies of yours, mate?” He landed beside me, and his agent duo followed. I filled them in on Tomas’ attack and watched the ADBA exchange worried glances. “Get the boys and men to safety,” he ordered them.
I blinked when they replied with a round of yes sirs. The demon mumbled about not getting him sooner. “Go to Hell; she’s my only concern.”
“Still in the game then?”
“Her heart isn’t a game. If you cared half as much as you pretend to, you wouldn’t have bothered.” My head tossed to the side. “Go help why I buy time.”
Without waiting for a reply, I stalked to the stables. Veric had been right about one fact. Demon Spawn and I were immortal, more so than other vampires. The stable unlatched, and I stared at Firelight who pranced in his stall. “Not today old friend.”
I marched to the tack room and prepared my brother. He sensed their coming and stomped at the ground. There were no notions of how fast or stable the airship moved. I didn’t even know what they used for fuel, but I had nothing in my arsenal that was capable of bringing it down.
Were the stolen women on it too? Gasps came from outside, and the children murmured as Veric flung the door open. I leapt on Demon Spawn’s back and charged past him. The platform of the ship lay in sight, and I yanked back on the reins. Demon Spawn protested as I rounded him and stopped him from trampling the fleeing men and children.
The sleek design caught my eye as I noted the boat-like appearance. Propellers spun from makeshift wings and exhaust polluted in its wake. The airship burned fuel, and I blinked as the dots connected. That was how they made the ships fly. Veric trotted out and halted on my right. He’d saddled Firelight, but managed to look right at home atop the massive stallion with his wings jutting from the side.
My lips twitched. “They’ll be pissed when they land.”
“If they land, mate. I’d say if we can see them then they can see us moving the boys.”
“Make sure you split up,” I yelled over the approaching rumble. “Don’t funnel out.”
They’d become nothing more than sitting ducks with nowhere to turn. One by one, the vehicles departed with the array of children, agents, and men. “Tomas hinted the ADBA ran like pussies.”
The demon snorted as I stared at him. Not a glimmer of shock rolled over his features. “You knew they’d attack him first.”
He pointed to the air and ignored my statement. “They’re altering course.” My eyes scanned the horizon. “There’s nothing over there but the old airport.” And a thick forest that backed to my land. Had they not watched the vehicles depart? A demon’s eyesight wasn’t as sharp as a vampire’s, but surely they had a way of monitoring distance on the ground.
“Kismet.” Veric chuckled. “Let’s give ‘em a bloody warm welcome shall we?”
I grasped his reins and yanked Firelight. “No.” He cocked an auburn brow, and I handed over the satellite phone. Tomas would call as soon as they were safe. “Make sure our Angel stays safe.”
My heels dug into Demon Spawn as the reins dropped from my hand. His blood would not stain my hands if a battle took place today. I didn’t look back and urged the steed to his devilish speeds. Steam rose in the wake of his pounding hooves.
The airfield lay forty miles away, but we made the distance in less than ten minutes. The demon hadn’t followed, and I was thankful he heeded my order. Besides, Firelight wasn’t a demon horse, and they would’ve slowed me down.
He danced, and his heart rate accelerated as the airship drew closer to our location. If the woods didn’t hide us, I hoped the misty fog he’d created would’ve concealed our location. The wind whipped and blew my hair into my face. For the first time, I thought about hacking it off as it tickled my face.
The ship lowered, hovering mid-air, but never settled down on the ground. Ropes flung over the side and the smoldering stench of demon and diesel tickled my nose. Where had Boric found crude oil? Two vehicles pulled into the strip, and I cursed under my breath. They were mine but not driven by rogue agents. I’d been blinded in my own home and betrayed.
The men behind the wheels were two that we’d rescued. I’d escorted them myself across the border and hadn’t once suspected duplicity. Branches cracked behind me, and I whipped Demon Spawn around. Veric.
He smiled and shook his head. “Here I’d thought, what could this bloke be planning.” His eyes drifted to the cars unloading the young boys. “No …”
His brows creased as he saw the scene before us. “You know where the ship will head next?” I asked, but I already held suspicions. The crest and name Garland painted on the side was a bit of a dead giveaway. Tacky and stupid too, but the ABDA would have done the same.
Large guns lined the upper deck. Even if I took out the men on the ground, there was no way to bring the beast down without harming those onboard. They loaded the handful of boys on the boat, and one would expect Tomas’ girls were on there too. He said they even took the babies.
Veric handed the phone to me. “Change of plans. She chose you; let me follow them.”
“Switch horses,” I offered and dismounted. I tugged Nikolai’s bridle and gazed into his eyes. “You will listen to Veric, brother. Redeem yourself and your blackened soul.” The horse snorted and nodded his head. Sometimes I swore he listened.
I gave instructions, but the demon waved me off. “Tell Angelica I will always love her.”
“Tell her yourself,” I whispered and for the first time I hoped it wasn’t the last time we met.
Firelight and I trotted off to the house to collect belongings. My phone hadn’t rang yet and worry ate at my insides. Kor hadn’t fed, and Tomas’ blood wouldn’t work. The empty house loomed ahead as I picked up the pace. As a normal horse, I couldn’t push him as much, but Veric fared better with Demon Spawn.
A laugh caught in my throat. I’d hoped the demon could control my demonic brother. If not maybe he’d get lucky and go on a bloodied rampage with a thirst for demon flesh. I tied Firelight to the fence post and ran into the house. The fires died out in the hearth, but I scented her.
Heavy boots stampeded down the stairs, and I drew my pistol. “Ami, petite fee demanded I turn around.” His hands held high in the air, and I lowered my weapon. Tomas pointed upstairs, answering my unvoiced question. “Attic.”
I placed a finger over my lips and padded up the stairs. The door laid open a crack, and Korrigan sat on the floor in front of my painting. Her knees pulled into her chest, but she stroked the surface, and hummed. My mouth dried as my heart warmed.
The door creaked as I pushed it open. Korri didn’t move as I knelt behind her. I loved when she daydreamed and became engrossed in her thoughts. The dreamy look in her eyes made me want to join her. “Petre.” She spun around and tackled me to the ground. I laughed as my head smacked the wooden beam.
Her face nestled into my neck, and her fangs broke free. My stomach swirled, and my fangs descended. She held onto me for dear life as I sat us up. “Thank God you’re okay.” My hands stroked the hair out of her eyes. “Why can’t they leave us alone?” The truth was they hadn’t seemed to want her at all. They wanted the girls and boys. Either we missed two of Jules cronies, or they’d turned on us that soon. Neither explanation made the actions any less severe. But I hadn’t wanted to spoil our reunion. Tomas knocked on the door and handed me his phone. He mouthed ABDA, and I nodded.
“Petre.”
“The airship left, and we’re holding up at the Halifax station house. We’re keeping everyone here, but haven’t heard from the other two cars.”
I sighed knowing Korri overheard. “They got them.” Her eyes glistened. “Veric’s tailing them.”
He took the phone back, and I wrapped Korrigan in my arms. She didn’t shed any tears, but I wouldn’t have blamed her if she had. There were no words to describe the pitting feeling in my stomach. Would she blame me if he died? Had she questioned her decision? I carried her downstairs to our bedroom and lay next to her.
&nbs
p; A small smile curled her lips as she rolled onto my chest. Her thumb stroked my jaw, and I watched her. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Doubtful.” Unlike other vampires, our bond never formed.
She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “But I do, and you’re wrong.” The breath of her chuckle caressed my skin. I grasped her hands and tugged her closer. “Don’t cut your hair either.”
My mouth dropped, and Korrigan sucked my bottom lip into her mouth. Her hands buried into my hair as mine reached under her sweater in search of her breasts. I palmed the fleshy globes as she moaned against my mouth.
Tomas knocked on the door, and I cursed that the universe worked against us. “Just a minute,” I said, peeling my mouth from hers. I swiped another kiss as she rolled to the side and giggled.
“Veric checked in; the ship crossed into Delphia but it veers southwest.” Another curse flung free, and I opened the door. “He can’t do this alone, ami.”
But we couldn’t waltz onto Boric’s land without the ABDA to support us. “Call the council.” I dragged my hand over my face and glanced to Korri. “Pack a bag.”
It’d take days to assemble everyone due to the cross country trek and frigid weather. “But.” I spun her around and silenced her challenge with my mouth. My foot kicked her rickety suitcase aside, and I dropped three new bags at her feet. When I pulled away, she tried to argue, but I placed a finger over her lips.
“Five minutes, Kor, and then we’re gone.” I shook my head and made for the door but stopped. “Whatever doesn’t fit we’ll buy when we reach Montreal.” She gaped at me as if I’d grown another head, and I winked.
Someday she’d get used to hearing me say that. As long as Arcadia stood and Tomas and I ran the power, money meant nothing. I bought the train as a mere hobby, but that, too, made plenty of money. My finger tapped my chin. If this plan worked, there’d be more than enough to spread around.
Korrigan could open houses for refugees, and we could afford to hire and train missionaries. My feet stumbled down the stairs as my grin widened. She’d get the world, a free world, even if it took every last cent and a lifetime. I glanced at the clock as I paced downstairs in the living room. Tomas had already departed to pack a few belongings; he would join us at the station.
Daylight departed, and I stepped outside to check on Firelight. I’d walked him a few times and added blankets beneath his saddle, but I hadn’t wanted to load him onto the trailer until we were prepared to leave. Unlike my brother, he stressed easier and wasn’t accustomed to the travel. I’d make arrangements from the road for the other animals’ care.
The door slammed behind me, and I yelled up the stairs. A suitcase barreling down at my head was my response. I caught it, but not in time to see the next one. The wall cracked as my body made contact.
“Petre?” she called through her stifled laughter.
“Did you pack bricks?” Why’d I give her three suitcases?
“Why were you stalking the stairs?”
I shook the daze from my head and cracked a smile. “Ready beautiful?”
Korrigan stuck her tongue out and carried her remaining suitcase. She wore a long trench coat that reminded me of Veric and her long hair was tied back into a messy bun. Black boots, I blinked, my black boots graced her feet. “Nice shoes.”
Korrigan and I shared a car, but Tomas requested to sit alone. The train ride would take several days as we traveled into the Yukon Territory and that hadn’t included stopovers or switching trains in Montreal. I folded the bed down and retrieved blankets and pillows from the overhead compartment. This time we wouldn’t have Demon Spawn to increase the power, and I prayed the power would hold out. Neither of us would have felt the uncomfortable temperature, but there were humans and animals aboard my train. I cared for their comfort and survival.
I stuck revolvers under each pillow and drew the blinds. Korri hit the lights. We’d taken every precaution we could think of before boarding the train. That included using false names. Last time, which felt like a lifetime ago as opposed to a few days, we’d been attacked.
Jules and Boric had spies, and we’d learned a lesson then as we had today. We no longer had the liberty of trusting strangers, and that meant slaves too. Korrigan locked both bolts on the door. It’d keep a curious human out, but not a demon or vampire.
For the first time in days, I had her alone. But for the fourth time in the few months we’d known each other, she was on a train and headed straight into the unknown. My Angel wasn’t alone this time, and I loved her. It had to be enough. I prayed to God that love would be enough.
Chapter Nineteen
Naïve and dumb were words anyone could have used to describe me when it came to understanding men. They were such complicated beings I wondered how they even related to women. Veric rode off to save the day under some belief he’d stood a chance. Granted I’d given him the idea, or at the least hadn’t corrected him, during our fight.
Before our world tumbled upside down again, I had told him there had been no decision. Either it was Petre or no one, but I didn’t love him in this new life. Veric had swallowed my words at first. No emotion played upon his face which was strange for him. The words I’d spoken had soured my mouth, but the truth he’d given me had been harder to grasp. So hard, that even now, I wasn’t sure if I’d believed his past life tales. My soul stolen from a body and placed into a baby … my head shook the notion aside. Apologies spewed from my mouth, and he’d begged that I give him one last chance. It was not my fault. The man refused to listen to reason.
My forehead creased with concern as I latched the locks. Let the demons come for me, I wasn’t afraid of them. The worst they would do was murder me. Death had not frightened me as much as losing Petre. The thought of Veric falling didn’t keep me up in bed, curled into myself, and weeping tears for days. Maybe that made me a horrible wife or whatever, but the Angelica he knew had died.
My jaw tensed thinking about marriage to the brute. He saved my life, but I saved his too. As far as I was concerned, we were even. I hadn’t even craved his blood and wondered if it hadn’t been a ploy to win me over. No more, I sighed inside and relaxed.
Petre stood behind me and played with the jacket’s collar. A smile tugged at my lips, and I imagined his lips mirrored mine. We were much alike and different at the same time. A complement of each other, but he was smarter than I was. Granted, with the right amount of teaching, I thought we’d make a fantastic team.
I grasped his hands and smoothed them down to the tie as he nibbled my ear. My thighs squeezed in anticipation as I sought the right words. The love I held for him had no words strong enough to show. Saying I love you seemed weak, but I love you as I love blood sounded morbid. He pulled the cord, and I shrugged the jacket off. Petre sucked in a breath as I spun around. Similar to our first night, minus the ratty bathrobe Jules forced me to take. That time I’d worn Petre’s clothes and enclosed myself in his spicy scent.
I’d managed to surprise him, and the glint in his eyes told me how much he’d appreciated my foresight. There I stood before Petre wearing nothing but his boots. His jacket heaped on the floor. A growl rumbled from his chest, and I giggled. If I were still human, I’d have been beet red.
His mouth covered mine as his hand caressed my stomach. Teasing strokes flung chills down my spine as I climbed into his arms. “Bed,” I mumbled against his lips.
We stumbled together as he tripped over himself and landed on the bed. It groaned and strained from the crash but hadn’t broken. My hands grasped the hem of his sweater, and I tore it over his head. The skin-to-skin contact burned and simmered the blood pumping through my veins. Hypothetically, of course.
The time had come and went; I was as ready as I’d ever be in heart, mind, and soul. My mouth dropped to his chest, and I kissed the hollowed center. Would it hurt or would Petre take his time? His hand curled into my hair and dragged my mouth to his. Did I want gentle? Petre rolled us over and pinned me to the
mattress.
“No,” he growled with eerie silver eyes.
I blinked, and my mouth fell open. Words refused to form on my dry tongue. He eased himself from the bed and shook his head. Rejection stung like a slap across my face. Hair dropped into his eyes, and he yanked his hand through the mass.
My legs stretched to the sides. Petre’s fangs sliced through his bottom lip as I exposed myself fully. His eyes snaked over every inch of my body as his mind warred. Reading minds was for sissies. One look at the smoldering gaze and trembling hands spoke measures. He needed a nudge. I trailed my hands down my neck, fanning my long hair over the pillow, and pinched my nipples. The lines on Petre’s forehead deepened. The train car shuddered, and the sensations rocked through my body. I arched my back, moaning his name.
“Kor …” Torn and tortured crossed his tender face, and I had to wipe it away. I stood from the bed and wobbled as the car shook. Petre caught me.
“I want you, hell, I need you.” The but came next. “Are you … Ju—“
“Don’t say his name.” I leaned onto my toes and shushed his protests with my mouth. Kissing seemed to be the only way to get a man to shut his trap. Petre hadn’t stopped me or pushed me aside as my tongue pressed past his fangs, pausing to caress the sensitive nubs.
The world spun around me. I squealed as hands squeezed my ass and lifted me into the air. Heat flooded my tightened center as he pressed me against the wall. Metal chilled my backside as the hardened outline rubbed my pussy.
The gentle rocking motion of the train vibrated through my skin as my hands fumbled with his belt. The buckle broke free, and I worked on his button. Petre tried to knock my hands away, and I bit his lip. This was my decision not his to make for me.
Jeans fell to the floor, and I grasped the underwear in my fists. One, two, three tugs and they’d ripped free. Rock hard and ready, Petre hovered and teased my pussy with each bounce of his strained cock. Whimpers caught in my throat as he ground his shaft against my clit and spread the wetness he’d created. Little shocks erupted over my skin, and he smiled against my lips with each noise I made.
