“I like everything.” She shrugged, taking the elongated steps up to the front door.
“Excellent.” He opened the door for her.
Her eyes widened when she saw the wide-open floor plan of the house. “Wow.”
He lead her to the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. “The sunset.”
She gazed out over the ocean watching the light of day quickly subside. “What time is it?”
“It’s about four.”
“Sun sets early here,” she remarked then turned around to survey the rest of the house, marveling at the three levels of balconies that all had a view of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“If you choose to turn, we will likely spend a lot of time here.” He watched her reaction.
Her brow wrinkled, puzzling. “Oh, so it’s like Alaska and stays night all winter long?”
“Something like that, but it is safer for you here for many reasons.” He listed them, “The sunlight, the seclusion, these windows have been specially designed to protect vampires from the UV rays of the sun. With the exception of a few hours during the summer, you will still be able to see the world during daylight.”
She nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that, what it would be like not seeing the sun.”
“It was maddening at first. But like all things, you adjust.” Hunter could see the wheels turning in her head. “What’s on your mind?”
“Becoming a vampire. I had plenty of time to think about it on the flight,” she said. “That was a long flight.”
“It was,” he acknowledged and reveled in how she observed every little thing and seemed to have an opinion on it. “Have you come to any conclusions?”
“Yes,” she said with confidence. “I would like to make the change.”
Relief and sorrow flowed through Hunter, he wanted it to be her decision. “I’m very happy to hear that.”
“But,” she held one finger up, “I want to wait until after my parents are gone. I can’t stand the thought of not seeing them while they’re still alive.” She pushed back from the edge of sorrow.
“That’s reasonable.”
“You said something about food?” She turned for the kitchen.
“Yes, some of the local delicacies as well as some other things you might appreciate.” He followed behind her.
In the kitchen Rook began exploring. “Is this salmon?” she asked from the refrigerator.
“Probably.”
“Cool, I love fish.” She pulled the dish out and rested it on the counter. “We didn’t get a lot of fresh fish in Idaho, the local varieties yeah, but not salmon.” Her eyes went wide when she spotted the buns on the counter, “What is this?”
“Those are called skolebrod. It’s like a sticky bun with custard in the center.” Admiration and desire filled him watching how she delighted over things he hadn’t enjoyed for so long.
Rook’s mouth hung open and she put the salmon back in the refrigerator. She turned back to the counter and picked up one of the buns with care. She took a bite and hummed, “Oh my God, this is so good.”
Hunter’s grin warmed the room. “I’m glad you like them.”
She nodded and answered with her mouth full, “I really do.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
Rook stopped chewing, powdered sugar and bit of custard on her lip. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” He chuckled. “Watching you . . . live, it’s amazing.”
“Live?” she asked and continued to chew.
“Yes, live.” He drew closer to her. “There are many things I don’t get to enjoy as a vampire. Food being one of them.”
“Oh.” Her expression fell. “Yeah, that’s right.”
“It’s not too bad, but I always find it interesting being in the presence of mortals. Everything is so finite for them and they have a unique way of enjoying every little thing.”
“Do you not enjoy every little thing?” She cocked her head to the side.
“I’ve learned a great deal of control over the centuries. If I allowed all my urges to rule me, I would not be a good person.” Sadness clouded his features. “But it’s all been worth it, waiting for you, and we will savor every moment of eternity . . . together.”
Chapter 25
Hunter awakened to the sound of someone coming up the drive. He’s dressed and at the front door before they could ring the bell. He swung the door open, startling a courier.
“Mr. Turgard?” the courier asked.
Hunter eyed him with a suspicious glare, he hadn’t gone by that name in a long time. “Yes.”
“Sign, please?” The courier pushed an electronic signature pad toward him.
Hunter signed and took the letter, opening it on the way back in the house.
* * *
Father,
* * *
You have something I want, I have something you want. I am open to a trade.
* * *
Calder
* * *
Hunter’s spirit sank to his feet, he remembered Augustus’s last word was “Calder.”
Panic ran through him at the thought the courier was a distraction. With his vampire speed he ran to the bedroom, relieved to see Rook still lying in the bed asleep.
She rolled over and a grin stretched across her lips. “Good morning.”
He released a breath, “Good morning.”
“What’s that?” She motioned to the letter still in his hand.
“Oh.” He looked down at it and crumpled it. “Nothing.”
“It doesn’t seem like nothing.” She raised her brow.
“It’s just business,” he said, climbing in the bed next her. “I do actually work.”
“Really?” she said, ticking her head and with a sarcastic tone said, “I figured people just threw money at you in the street because you’re incredibly good looking.”
He pulled one shoulder to his ear. “That, too.” A laugh grumbled from his belly and he rolled over, placing his head on her lap.
She ran her fingers through his hair. “You know, I may not be some ancient vampire with crazy spidey sense, but I know when my man is shaken. What’s going on?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I got a letter that doesn’t make sense,” he said. “But it’s not really unusual. It happens every hundred years or so.”
“What happens?” She continued to soothe him by stroking his face.
“My maker and I . . . it’s complicated.” His voice was strained.
“Should I be jealous?” she huffed.
“No, what I mean is . . .” He sat up, “My maker and I don’t see eye to eye on many things. I do all I can to not have contact with him.”
“Really? You have daddy issues?” Rook’s go-to had always been making light of stressful situations.
Hunter released a sad laugh. “You have no idea.”
“I’d like to.”
“There is so much of who we are to share with one another.” An idea sparked inside him. “But for now . . .” He stood from the bed.
Rook waited expectantly for him to finish.
“Where would you like to go?” he said, going to the closet. He returned with a suitcase packed.
“The kitchen, I’m starving.” She rubbed her belly.
“No, I mean in the world.”
“We just got here,” she questioned.
“Yes, but we aren’t going to stay here forever.” Hunter struggled to hide his concern. Calder’s real message wasn’t lost on Hunter. He would’ve preferred Calder’s letter to have been more straightforward “I know where you are and I’m coming for you.”
Hunter didn’t want to leave, but he wanted to keep Rook safe from Calder’s retribution. “Choose a place, anywhere in the world, and I’ll take you there.”
She rested back on the bed, thinking “I don’t know . . .”
“Think on it over breakfast,” he said thoughtfully.
“I can do that.” She jumped from the bed and slid Hunter’s huge robe ov
er her shoulders. “I should’ve gotten a robe.”
“This one looks perfect on you.” He pumped his eyebrows.
“Yeah, but I can’t find my hands.” She waved the ends of the sleeves around wildly.
Hunter laughed, taking one of the sleeves in his hand to roll it up for her. “Are you always this silly?”
Rook pulled her lips to the side. “Pretty much.”
Hunter pressed his lips against her forehead. “I like it, you remind me how good it is to smile.” “Glad to hear it.” Rook tightened the robe around her waist and started for the door. She was halted by the letter Hunter left crumpled on the dresser, she picked it up and the name rolled off her lips with recognition, “Calder.”
Hunter turned to her with a disapproving glare. “You know Calder?”
“I don’t know, I feel like I do. There’s something very familiar about the name.” She held the letter up. “What does this mean? ‘I have something you want.’”
“I don’t know, but he rarely makes sense.” Hunter took the letter from her. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Rook mulled the name around in her head, trying to remember. It was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t quite access it.
Hunter closed the distance between them. “Don’t worry so much, it’s going to be fine.”
“I trust you,” she said with a dreamy grin.
“Yeah?” Hunter’s primal side was taking over. The scent of her drove him insane and all he could think about was the conversation about control he had with her yesterday. He glided his finger down her cheek.
She bit her lower lip, nodding. “Yup.”
Hunter’s body stiffened.
Rook stepped back with concern flowing through her. “What’s wrong?”
“Chopper,” he said and was gone from her arms in a flash.
She rushed out the bedroom to the balcony and watched out the window as Hunter waited for the helicopter to land.
She rushed out the door as Sophie climbed out onto the landing pad. She’s visibly shaken holding onto a black umbrella to shield her from the sunlight.
“What is it?” He took her into his arms to comfort her, leading her into the house.
“He has her,” she sobbed.
“Who? Who has who?” Rook struggled to keep up with them into the house.
Sophie put her head in her hands, “Camille . . . he has Camille.”
Rage coursed through Hunter. “Calder?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck!” he bellowed.
“What?” Rook asked, trying to make sense of everything.
Sophie looked past Hunter. “Calder has Camille, he’s going to kill her.”
Rook’s eyes went wide. “Where?”
Hunter turned around to Rook with one finger in the air. “You need to stay put.” He paced the living room. “Actually, I need to get you to the lab, somewhere he can’t get to you.”
“Hunter!” Sophie vied for his attention. “We don’t have much time.”
“What do you mean?” He was trying to work out what she meant.
Sophie turned the face of her smartphone toward Hunter. On the screen was a picture of Camille tied down in a field with the caption. “This is where she’ll be at sunrise, you have one day.”
Hunter grabbed the phone from Sophie. He stared at the picture, veins pumping visibly on his forehead. He crushed the phone to pieces in his hand. “When did he send this?”
Sophie tried to think. “Um, I got a flight as soon as I could, ah . . . yesterday.”
“We don’t have much time,” Hunter said, deep in thought.
“He said he wants the rook.” Sophie looked at the pieces of her phone on the floor.
Hunter paced, working it all out. “But, where is he?” He looked outside.
“He said he would reveal her location when he had the rook,” Sophie relayed the message.
“I need to get both of you to safety, then I’ll find him . . .” Hunter’s jaw popped with tension, “I’ll kill him.”
“Hunter, please, you can’t let her die like this,” Sophie pleaded.
“Um . . .” Rook interjected, “If you think I’m going to let you go face your psycho daddy alone, you’re wrong.”
“Rook, this is not up for discussion. I’m going to keep you safe.” Hunter’s seriousness only incited Rook’s ire.
“I’m not helpless, I know how to take care of myself,” she argued. “Besides, it’s me that he wants.”
“No.” Hunter’s bellow caused Rook to shrink back.
“Being my bloodmate doesn’t mean you’re the boss of me,” she said, looking to Sophie for some sort of back up.
Hunter turned to her, struggling to control his anger. “Rook, I can’t lose you. He’s a very powerful vampire with zero regard for any life other than his own.”
Rook curled her lip and speared him with a look. “Hunter, have you not watched one movie from this century?”
Hunter’s face twisted with confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Rook rolled her eyes and tried to make the argument. “Look, if you leave me behind I’ll be in more danger without you.”
“You won’t be alone,” Hunter assured her. “I will have a full security force ready for him.”
“But they aren’t you.” She stepped in closer, running her fingers up his chest.
Hunter picked her up and physically moved her out of the way. “I’m going to get ready. This is not up for discussion.”
“If you think I’m down for an eternity of being marginalized as a weak woman, you’ve got another thing coming. I’ll take mortality, thank you very much.” Rook put her hand on her hip.
“Rook,” Sophie pleaded, “You going will only distract Hunter. There’s no reason for you to be there.”
“Other than Calder expects me not to be.” She quirked her brow.
Hunter came back to where Rook was standing. “This isn’t about gender roles, you’re mortal, you’re fragile and he’s seeking revenge.”
“Because of Jeziah and Augustus?” She wrinkled her nose. “This is a little far even for a psycho.”
“You don’t know this psycho,” Sophie said in frustration. “But we have to get to Camille.”
Hunter took Rook by the shoulders. “I will rarely ask you to obey me–”
“Whoa!” Rook stepped back from him, waving her arms. “You did not just go there.”
“Rook, please.” Hunter gazed deep into her eyes. “I’m not willing to offer you up in exchange for Camille, I’m not going to put you in danger’s way. I need you to stay safe.”
Hunter’s seriousness reached inside her, pulling at something that said she shouldn’t argue. She lowered her eyes. “Fine. I’ll stay here.”
“Thank you,” he breathed with relief and pulled her head to his chest.
She couldn’t help herself, she tried once more. “But I can help.”
“No.” He started up the stairs.
Rook looked around at the decor on the walls, the shields, weapons and icons of Viking civilization. Something entered her mind and escaped on her lips. “Skjaldmær.”
Hunter froze on the steps, “What did you say?”
She closed her mouth, remaining silent, her stare penetrating. “I’m not weak.”
“I never said you were.” He raised a brow and continued up the stairs. He returned in a flash dressed in leather armor adorned with a metal plate in the shape of a stag over his heart. The leather creaked as he leaned down, taking Rook’s face in his hands. “I love you.”
Rook rolled her eyes. “Please come back to me.”
He kissed her forehead. “I will so that you may join in the next battle, Skjaldmær my shield maiden.”
He turned for the door with Sophie in tow.
Hunter faced Sophie. “You’re staying here. I can handle Calder on my own.”
“But–”
“The security detail will be here in under five minutes, keep her safe,” H
unter said over his shoulder. Panic rocked Rook on a cellular level at the thought of him leaving. “I love you.”
Hunter stopped and turned toward her. “I will be back. You stay safe.”
She nodded once, leaving her eyes closed. She couldn’t bear the thought of watching him walk out the door.
* * *
The helicopter became nothing but a speck in the sky, Rook turned aimlessly toward Sophie. She exchanged a glance then her eyes widened when she saw four men standing outside the house, spaced evenly along the window. “Sophie,” Rook gasped, pointing.
Sophie put her hand on Rook’s shoulder. “It’s okay, they’re the security detail.”
A broad man strolled into the living room as though he lives there. “Hello.” He offered his hand to Rook. “I’m Gosta, you must be Rook.”
Rook tilted her neck upward to make eye contact and shook his hand. “Hi.” She was in awe of his size.
“My men and I will keep watch until Hunter returns.” Gosta appeared at a panel by the windows, he opened a hatch and pressed some buttons.
Clanking and the sound of machinery echoed throughout the tall ceilings. Rook watched as two metal walls came from the floor and ceiling meeting in the middle to cover windows. “Whoa.”
“It’s for your safety.” Gosta nodded. “We will keep a detail outside, as well as inside.”
Rook shifted her eyes between Gosta, the covered window then Sophie. “So this Calder guy, he’s bad ju ju?”
Sophie released a breath. “Very bad.”
“But Hunter’s faced him before?” Rook worked to calm the fear in her voice.
Sophie struggled to maintain her cool. “Never like this.”
“What do you mean?”
Gosta stepped in. “Their feud is an ancient one. Hunter has never wanted to fight him and is usually able to avoid it. But Calder crossed a line when went after Camille.”
“And you,” Sophie added with irritation.
“This is my fault?” Rook’s expression twisted at the thought of this really being about her.
Gosta donned a kind smile. “No, this isn’t about you, it’s an ancient pissing contest coming to a head.” He flashed Sophie a glare.
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