by Aubrey Ross
She abandoned the bed, not wanting the tangible reminder of all they’d shared. The second time, or actually the third, he’d been slow and gentle, gradually building the heat until she’d surrendered to the fire. She’d never been with a man who poured his heart and soul into sex. But this wasn’t just sex. She paused at the thought, troubled by the implications. They’d exchanged emotions and blood, thoughts and pleasure as their bodies fused. Each intimate act had strengthened their link and made the psychic flow more natural, almost effortless.
He hadn’t allowed her to shower once their desires were sated. He’d wanted his scent all over her as they slept. So where had he gone and what would become of her now?
She wanted to believe that Tara would be reasonable, that she would understand that all this had been beyond Eloise’s control. A pang of guilt made her stomach tense. That might have been true before she gave Bronik the locations. Now she was every bit as much a traitor as Simone.
The shower felt wonderful, relaxing yet refreshing. After combing out her hair and brushing her teeth, she pulled on a clean pair of jeans and one of the shirts Simone had brought her. Without shoes, a walk through the woods was not going to happen, but Simone had provided socks.
Bronik still hadn’t returned by the time she finished dressing. Did he intend to leave her here all night with nothing to occupy her mind? Not a wise plan. An idle mind was the devil’s playground, or so she’d heard.
Bored and restless, she crossed to the door and tried the handle. As she’d expected, the portal was securely locked. Bronik told her the cabin where he’d first taken her was shielded and sealed, but she suspected that this building was on Edrick’s estate. The entire estate was shielded, so it was unlikely that the gatehouse had separate defenses. All she had to do was find a window or vent through which to escape.
And then what?
There was no one in Vladya strain who would risk Tara’s wrath to help Eloise. She might have been a victim when this debacle began, but she’d made intentional choices since. Now she would have to live with the ramifications. It was only a matter of time before Tara learned that Eloise had cooperated with Strigo strain. Tara hated loose ends. She’d send assassins to silence Eloise. If they hadn’t been dispatched already.
Still, she couldn’t stay here. Bronik’s appeal was too compelling, too addictive. She wasn’t willing to sacrifice her freedom regardless of how much pleasure she found in his arms. Bronik considered her a possession, a pet. And she didn’t find the arrangement nearly as demeaning as she should. She had to escape, had to find a way out of this mess that didn’t chain her to an arrogant Strigo warrior.
She took a deep breath and scanned her surroundings. She hadn’t realized how isolated her life was until she tried to identify an ally outside of Vladya strain. Her interaction with humans was extremely limited and the few humans she did have contact with were loyal to Tara.
What about Inatta? She didn’t know the Rom leader well, but Inatta hated Tara. Did Inatta’s hatred run deep enough to make her offer Eloise sanctuary? Rom and Vladya strains were basically at war. Inatta had nothing to lose but what did she have to gain? Eloise would have to offer the Rom queen something more significant than an opportunity to piss off Tara.
The possibility, though shaky, was as close to a plan as Eloise had managed, so she intensified her scan. She’d go to Las Vegas and request an audience with Inatta. If Inatta refused to assist her, at least Eloise would be in a thriving metropolis where her chances of disappearing were better.
Energized by the strategy, Eloise released her corporeal body and sped through the room as mist. It felt wonderful to have her abilities restored, to be less helpless. The windows were sealed so she floated into the bathroom. Again the window offered no escape, but the ceiling fan vented into the attic and one section of the roof was warped just enough to create a small slit. The tiny opening was all Eloise needed. She paused, meticulously blocking her end of the connection with Bronik. She couldn’t sever the link but she could fight like hell to keep him out of her mind. When the link was securely plugged, she flowed through the slit and gathered speed as she propelled herself skyward.
The estate’s shields were designed to protect, not imprison, still she hesitated again. Likely some sort of alarm would sound as soon as she made contact with the barrier. She needed to move fast but a direct route would be easier to follow. Teleportation was faster than incorporeal propulsion. However, teleportation required a fixed destination.
Her only other option was to return to her cage and wait for Bronik. And that was simply unacceptable.
Renewing her determination, she gathered energy and shot through the shield. A moment of stinging resistance was all she experienced and then she soared through the night. She changed directions over and over, doubling back from time to time while putting as much distance between herself and Strigo strain as possible.
Bronik’s image teased her memory, the burning intensity of his eyes and the sculpted perfection of his body. She couldn’t allow herself to think about him. She would be no one’s slave!
But she hadn’t felt like a slave in his arms. She’d felt special and important. He’d been demanding and intense, but he’d put her needs before his and offered himself as completely as she’d surrendered herself to him.
Forcing the memories to the back of her mind, she focused on her destination and the conversation to come. She had to convince Inatta to help her, had to offer something valuable enough to make the risk worthwhile. Bronik had sent the possible locations of the captives to either Alexi or Edrick, but had they passed the information on to Inatta? If the Rom leader hadn’t yet received the suggestions, perhaps Eloise could offer the locations in exchange for a place to hide. It wasn’t much but she had to do something, had to create her own opportunities.
If Rom strain had an official headquarters, Eloise didn’t know where it was. She had learned that Inatta recently moved into a luxury apartment just off the world-famous Strip, but again Eloise was unsure of the exact location. Scanning each building for psychic shields was tedious and time-consuming. Unfortunately Eloise couldn’t think of any other way to locate Inatta.
Suddenly Eloise sensed a rush of energy. The disorienting surge flowed through her and swirled around her with shocking intensity. This was either more than one person working as a tight unit or one incredibly powerful host. She was swept along by the intrusive force, carried toward the Strip despite her best effort to resist. Likely she’d triggered some sort of proximity warning and Rom guards had responded to the alarm. This might be her best hope of contacting Inatta. If she was given the opportunity to explain why a Vladya soldier had come to Rom territory uninvited.
She was escorted through an exterior wall of one of the hotels and taken directly into a crowded nightclub. Music blared and a throng of revelers undulated and swayed in time to the sensual beat. She only had time to form an overall impression before she was forced through another wall and into an office. The sound was muffled now, the room tasteful and orderly.
The Rom guards separated, becoming three distinct entities. They surrounded her and guided her until she was positioned in front of a dark-haired man standing beside the glass-topped desk.
“Solidify now and I might allow you to live.” The man spoke with absolute authority, his expression unreadable. He was tall and lean, his body designed for agility rather than brute strength. His hair flowed away from his face in distinct waves, accenting the sharp angles of his features. With swarthy skin and night-black eyes, he was textbook Rom—mysterious, dangerous.
Calling upon years of training, she solidified and faced him without any outward sign of fear. “I’m no danger to the Rom. I need to speak with Inatta but conversation is all I seek.”
His gaze narrowed as he studied her from head to toe. “What does Tara’s daughter want with Rom strain’s queen?” He pointed to her stocking-clad feet. “You’re not even wearing shoes.”
“I left in a
hurry and I told you, I want only conversation.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and looked into her eyes. “Then talk to me.” She started to reply but he held up his hand and turned to his guards. “Make sure she’s alone. I’ve got this.” The guards disintegrated and their leader seemed to relax, but not by much. He remained near the desk, yet he didn’t sit and his gaze bore into hers with obvious expectation. “No one sees Inatta without a damn good reason, so convince me you have one. Does Tara know where you are? Did you run away from home?” He raised his brows and made the possibility sound dramatic.
“You have me at a disadvantage.” She finger-combed her hair away from her face as she silently debated what to tell him. “You obviously know who I am, but I don’t know you.”
“You don’t need to know me. Answer my questions or leave my city.”
“Your city? I thought Rom strain had a queen.”
He closed the distance between them with two long strides and grasped her chin with firm fingers. “I’m not in the mood to spar. Start talking or I’ll strip the information from your blood.” He punctuated the threat by baring his fangs.
“That won’t be necessary, Kass.” Caitlyn’s familiar voice snapped Eloise’s attention toward the door. The portal was still closed and Eloise hadn’t heard Caitlyn arrive, but she was thankful for the interruption. “I’ll take it from here.” She casually crossed the room and stood beside Eloise.
“Are you sure?” He slowly lowered his arm and looked at Caitlyn. “The guards found her nosing around your mother’s apartment. She’s up to something.”
“My mother is always up to something.” Caitlyn’s smile indicated that the misunderstanding was intentional.
“I meant her.” Kass nodded toward Eloise.
“I know.” Caitlyn pushed him toward the door. “Go have a beer or break up a fight. I can take care of this.”
Kass didn’t look happy with the situation, but he inclined his head and left the office.
“He’s the friendly sort.” Eloise tried to sound casual but her mind was reeling. Bronik told her Caitlyn was Inatta’s daughter but she hadn’t really believed him until this moment. Simone had indicated that Caitlyn was still with Prince Alexi at the Strigo compound, so what was Caitlyn doing in Las Vegas? “Who was that guy?”
“His name is Kastian Gavriel, but most just call him Kass. He’s my mother’s top advisor and head of her security team. She doesn’t pay him to be friendly.”
“Your mother is really Inatta?” Eloise shook her head, still finding it hard to believe.
“What brings you to Las Vegas?” She motioned toward the furniture grouping in the far corner of the office. “Was Bronik able to free your symbionts?”
Eloise tensed at the question. “How did you know about that?”
“I was there the night Bronik brought you in. You would have died if it hadn’t been for the Yeagers and Simone.” They sat facing each other, Caitlyn in a burgundy leather chair, Eloise on the matching sofa.
“I’m functional again thanks to Bronik, but dealing with Strigo strain also created certain complications.” She swallowed past the lump rapidly forming in her throat. Having Caitlyn here made a long explanation unnecessary. “Tara will come after me. I need a place to hide.”
“I’m not sure Tara should be your top concern.” Caitlyn watched her closely, compassion warming her bright-blue eyes. “Why did you leave Bronik?”
Did Caitlyn know about the sworn protector nonsense? Bronik said Alexi had formed a similar bond with Caitlyn, but again Eloise hadn’t really believed him. Even if Caitlyn was linked with the prince, their situations were far different. Strigo strain wasn’t nearly as hostile toward the Rom as they were toward Vladya strain.
Caitlyn was still waiting for her answer, so Eloise said, “He wanted something I wasn’t willing to give.”
“Strigo men can be terrible bullies.” A faint smile quirked the corners of her mouth. “They can also be wonderful.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Perhaps Caitlyn’s presence wasn’t such a good thing after all. She seemed to understand Eloise’s dilemma a little too well. “Will Rom strain offer me sanctuary or not? If you intend to turn me away, just say so. I won’t waste any more of your time.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t welcome, I just wanted to understand why you left.”
“Apparently you and Prince Alexi share common goals.” Her tone grew curt as Caitlyn pushed her closer to the convoluted truth. “Bronik and I are enemies.”
“Why? Do you still consider yourself a member of Vladya strain? You said Tara will likely try to kill you.”
“As long as Tara heads Vladya strain I will be an outcast. Even if she decides to let me live, I’m no longer welcome in her territory.”
“Because you had the audacity to be kidnapped? Isn’t that a bit dramatic?” Caitlyn crossed her legs and settled back in the chair.
Caitlyn had nothing to do with the tangled mess that now passed for Eloise’s life. Still, Caitlyn’s nonchalance was irritating. “I thought I was dying, so I bartered information for…” She waved away the specifics. Caitlyn didn’t need to know every detail. “It doesn’t matter now. My symbionts are wide awake and I can take care of myself. All I need is a place to hide out for a few days while I figure out what to do next.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. But if you willingly accepted Bronik’s vow, I won’t be able to interfere.”
“I’m not asking for your protection, just a place to stay.”
Caitlyn pushed to her feet with a secretive smile. “Then I’ll make the arrangements.”
* * * * *
Flash to 479 Dover Ct. I’m waiting.
Edrick read the message for the second time as tension gripped his gut. It had been exactly forty-eight hours since Tara’s blonde messenger approached him in the parking lot and her vile temptation had yet to leave his mind.
He should ignore her, remain within the safety of the estate’s shields until Tara gave up and moved on to a strategy that didn’t involve him. Alexi was his nephew. Edrick could not be involved in anything that would harm another Yeager.
But Alexi was also a threat to all Edrick had accomplished here on Earth. Strigo strain had accepted the prince with open arms and admiration. According to the gossip, Alexi had cheated death when his ship crash-landed. He’d single-handedly rescued his crew then claimed a Rom princess as his mate, all within days of his arrival on Earth. Now his name was whispered with reverence and awe. They acted as if Alexi were part deity.
And Tara intended to take full advantage of Edrick’s growing resentment.
His phone vibrated again and Edrick gritted his teeth. If he ignored her, would she go away or ambush him as soon as he ventured beyond the estate? He would not be a prisoner to a human messenger!
“Is there a problem?”
Edrick glanced at Alexi and smiled. “Nothing serious.”
They sat in the library as they often did around midnight. He was enjoying a drink while Alexi researched the locations Bronik had received from Eloise. Edrick tensed. If Alexi managed to find the Rom captives, he would earn the trust and appreciation of Rom strain.
Which was something Edrick had not been able to do even with Inatta in his bed.
His thumb hovered over the message log. Why was he even thinking about this? Was he really so depraved that he’d consider an alliance with Tara Kovac?
He deleted the messages and purged his mind with a heavy sigh.
The address was one of his rental properties, currently unoccupied, which gave him a valid excuse for going there. It was all so clever, so premeditated. Temptation swelled, drawing him toward the darkness.
“There’s someone poking around one of my rentals,” he told Alexi. “I need to check it out.”
“Anything I can do?” Alexi looked up from the laptop with calm, trusting eyes and Edrick felt his soul shrivel.
“No. This shouldn’t take long.�
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He flashed out of the room before Alexi could sense his turmoil, but there was no escaping his guilt.
The blonde messenger stood in the moonlit living room, hair loose about her shoulders. She wore a dress this time, the style modest and feminine. The billowy skirt concealed her long, trim legs, yet the nipped-in waist accented her curvy figure. She appeared young and innocent. Like Abigail. Or perhaps Abigail’s older sister. Abigail had been… None of that mattered now. Abigail was dead and he must think of the future.
“I’m glad you came.” She smiled, her expression serene.
“I cannot be directly involved,” he said emphatically. “If my strain has any clue that I’ve betrayed their prince, they will turn on me.”
The blonde nodded. “We’ll utilize a scapegoat, someone believable but expendable. No one will ever know you had anything to do with Alexi’s tragic death.”
He’d know. For the rest of his life he’d live with the guilt of murdering his brother’s son. Still, the thought of sinking back into obscurity bothered him even more. Earth was his. He’d fought wars and infiltrated governments, negotiated treaties and formed alliances. He’d worked tirelessly for nearly two centuries, determined to solidify Strigo strain’s position in this world. Alexi hadn’t earned the privileges he so blithely accepted. It was time to turn back the clock, to restore things to how they had been before Alexi’s arrival.
He swallowed hard, his mouth dry and bitter. “When and how will this be done?”
“Alexi is about to discover evidence that one of the locations Eloise provided is still in use.”
Edrick felt nauseous. He’d long suspected Tara had a spy or spies within his household. Now it was obvious. Someone close to him was keeping Tara remarkably well-informed. “And then?”
“You will make damn sure Alexi leads the mission himself. That shouldn’t be hard. Alexi loves to be heroic.”
