Driven by Night

by Aliyah Burke

  “Tiarnán!” she cried. “Unlock the truck.”

  He tossed the keys in her direction even as he took on another three creatures. One man, tall and muscular, stepped in front of her and swiped them from the air. She shot him in the neck with her reloaded Taser and watched him drop to the ground. Grabbing the keys back, she had to shoot two more things before she could get into the driver’s seat.

  It didn’t take her to long, although it felt like forever, and the truck was ready to go. Shifting into gear, she gunned the gas and plowed through those fighting Tiarnán. The man read her mind and jumped into the back as she tore out of there with a squeal of tires.

  After lowering the windows so he could toss the bags in, Tiarnán eventually climbed in and made his way from the back to the front. She glanced briefly at him in the lights from the dash. “Are you okay?”

  “I’ll survive.” A pause. “Thanks to you.”

  She got them on the interstate again and slowed down so they didn’t get stopped. “They’ll be coming again, won’t they?”

  “Like drones. They won’t quit.” He fell quiet for a moment. “You’re injured. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “A bit busy what with the driving over those things and saving your ass.” She rotated her shoulder. “It stings. One of the flying things got me. How did you know I was hurt?”

  “I can smell your blood.”

  Chapter Five

  Tiarnán shook from the rage that still coursed through him. These demons were persistent and it made him furious to think they’d landed a hit on her. Slanting his gaze to his left, he stared at her as she drove his truck. She handled it with ease and he cracked a smile at the recollection of her plowing through those attacking him. Fearless.

  The scent of her blood grew heavier and he knew she had to stop so he could fix it. “You need to pull over.”

  She snorted. “Fat chance. I want to get as far away as I can from those damn things.”

  “We need to stop and fix you up.”

  “Do a patch job if it’s bothering you so much. Besides, I bet you’re more injured than I am. You fought more of them. And what the flying frack was that thing that came up from your shoulders and looked like a smoky, hazy tiger which was attached to you?”

  He took several deep breaths even as he climbed into the back seat and dug for the first aid kit. “That’s part of my protection. He’s always with me.”

  “And here I thought men carried condoms for protection,” she muttered. “Not tigers which can kill demons. Shows what I knew.”

  Tiarnán shook his head in amusement, his anger slowly fading to the background at the way she was handling what she had just gone through. The sole fact she was able to keep a sense of humor about her told him so much about her personality. It’d not been an easy few days for her and he seriously doubted it would get easier.

  Digging into the kit, he utilized his sense to assist him in seeing with a mix of the dash lights and those from passing vehicles. Then he leaned forward over the seat and cut into her shirt, allowing him access to the part of the injury he could reach. The scent of her blood had his fury racing back to the surface.

  He’d failed her. He’d done this to her—allowed her to get hurt. Disgust and rage at himself slammed him. The truck swerved before she regained control.

  “So you do growl like a tiger. I wasn’t sure if that had been you or not, but given you just did that in my ear—which I’d like to point out, not smart when I’m driving—I’m going with it was you.”

  “I can’t reach the rest.”

  “Tough shit. I’m not stopping. And I hate to break this to you, but next time I get to pick the hotel.”

  He chuckled slightly. “Are you saying you still didn’t get into the whole lava lamps and vibrating bed?”

  She met his eyes in the rear-view. “It must have been the mirror on the ceiling that got to me. Or was that the fact I was scared to lie on the actual sheets or put my foot down on that lovely shag carpeting, which I’m positive something was living in?”

  Through the windshield, he saw a sign for the next rest area. Sixty-three miles. Climbing back to the front again, he said, “Stop at the rest area.”

  “Should I salute you when you bark orders like that?”

  He buckled himself back in and watched her. “If it makes you feel better.”

  She flipped him off.

  “What kind of salute is that?”

  “The only kind you’re getting.”

  They rode in silence for a while and he took the time to begin healing his own injuries. “Why is none of this freaking you out?” he asked fifteen miles out from the rest area.

  “What makes you think it’s not?”

  “How you’ve been handling yourself and the entire situation.”

  “Trust me. I’m freaked. I think I’m past freaked, actually. I’ve moved well onto Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock panic mode.” She cracked her neck. “You just don’t see how tightly I’m holding this wheel, or how my heart is beating.”

  “See your heart? No. But I can hear it, and it isn’t racing.”

  “You can hear my heartbeat?” she asked after a short time.

  “Heightened senses, part of the package.”

  “How heightened?” There was a hitch in her voice.

  “Why? Does that scare you?” He continued to watch her body language, pretty confident she wouldn’t realize he could see her so clearly. Most people thought of taste, smell, but forgot about sight.

  “No reason.” She shook her head, checked her mirrors, then got them over into the proper lane to exit at the rest area, which was a mile away. “Nope, no reason at all.”

  Tiarnán observed her as she set her jaw and down-shifted the truck as she pulled off. Instead of focusing on what was bothering her, he took in the way she drove his vehicle. He didn’t like to let others drive it, but she handled it like she had been driving it for years.

  “Where do you want me to park?” she asked as she slowed before the separation for cars and semis.

  “Left of the building where it’s a bit dark.”

  She parked flawlessly then shut off the engine. It was then he saw how badly she was shaking and he reached over to undo her belt before drawing her into his lap. Calida didn’t fight him on it, quite the opposite. She burrowed into him, head beneath his chin as she trembled. He knew her injury had to be bothering her but she didn’t say anything about it, despite the fact it was the side pressed into him. On the middle seat he saw her Taser and knew she’d had it under her leg the entire time.

  “It’s okay,” he muttered into her hair. “You did great.”

  “I don’t feel so good,” she replied, slowly pushing away from him.

  “Your arm?”

  “No, as in I need to get out or I’m going to mess up your upholstery.”

  That spurred him into action and he soon had her out of the truck. She leaned against the side, gulping air as if she couldn’t get it fast enough. He reached across the seat and swiped her Taser and the keys, then locked the truck and slid an arm around her waist.

  “Let’s go,” he coaxed.

  As they walked and stumbled, he slipped the Taser into the back of her pants. Her tear-filled eyes met his.

  “Thank you,” she uttered.

  He walked her to the door of the women’s restroom and said, “I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

  She didn’t verbally respond, just gave a slight nod of her head then wobbled off, using the wall to support her. Tiarnán pivoted and rested his back against the concrete blocks. He searched for the scent of those possibly following them and kept his ears perked for any cry for help from Calida. He could hear her retching in there and he longed to go in and offer comfort.

  Five minutes or so later, she strode toward him, steps stronger and face not so drawn.

  “Better?” he asked, slipping his arm around her waist.

  “Nope, but at least now I won’t ruin your truck
.”

  “Let’s go take care of your injuries.”

  He guided her back toward the truck without giving her a chance to argue. Even so, he didn’t miss the dark car that pulled in and parked before the building. Tinted windows, and the men who stepped out had his hackles rising.

  New Order idiots.

  Around to the driver’s side, so he could keep an eye on them through the truck’s windows, he opened the door. It took him a few minutes to flip out the extension and spread some blankets down for her.

  “Climb in and lie on your stomach. Shoulders toward me.” Another glance to the black car. “And lift your shirt.”

  He was surprised when she didn’t give him any mouthy response. It didn’t take her long and she lay there with the part of her injury he hadn’t been able to reach before exposed. The low light didn’t disguise how terrible it was.

  “You should have let me attend to this earlier.” More anger at himself surged.

  The cuts were deep and from what he could see, infected with poison. It would explain why she felt so sick. The skin around it was puffy and, judging by the way she winced at his prodding, painful. She didn’t cry aloud but he heard the whimper she tried to hide.

  Lowering his head to hers, he then brushed his lips along her temple. “This is going to hurt, I’m sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing and get on with it.”

  Good, there was bite to her tone. So he did. Calida never made a sound even as her body jerked and spasmed at his removal of the poison and healing of her injury. Still, each motion was like a knife deep into his heart and it nearly killed him to know how much pain he was putting on her.

  Demon poison wasn’t anything to sneeze at and, as deep as the one that had attacked her had gone, it took him a while. He wished Cale were there to do it for him, he was their healer. Hell, even Billy’s wife, Malmuirie, who was a doctor, would be preferable.

  “Done, sweetheart. It’s all done,” he whispered.

  She didn’t respond and he knew she’d passed out. Cleaning up swiftly, he then covered her with another blanket after putting one of his shirts on her, and let her be as he climbed in the driver’s seat. Back on the road, he checked behind him constantly for the black car.

  It was back there but kept its distance. Interesting. He’d thought they wanted to kill them but perhaps now it was all about the tracking and following. Something else to think about. He wished they weren’t there, however—he didn’t want any more trouble until he could at least see the artifact he knew they were after.

  * * * *

  Calida’s left shoulder and down that side of her back burned like a sinner in hell. She stirred and snapped her mouth shut to contain the scream of pain that raced up from the depths of her gut.

  Oh my God. What the hell happened?

  She remembered the attack and driving away. Something hazy about puking and lying down. Nothing after that. She cracked open her eyes and saw the sun pouring in through the windows of the truck.

  Tiarnán. Where was he? Wincing at the throbbing and tenderness, she managed to get up on her knees. She was still in the back seat. The man she sought was in the front. His back against the driver’s door, keys still in the ignition. One leg stretched out along the seat and the other resting on the floorboard.

  She licked her lips and continued to stare at him. She couldn’t help it, he was just so…handsome. His curved black lashes rested upon tanned cheeks. Bow-shaped lips were slightly parted as he breathed in and out. He had his arms crossed and she trailed her gaze along his well-defined muscles. Even his shirtsleeves had a difficult time containing the bulging power. She wasn’t even going to think about how good he looked in his jeans.

  The holes in them had her wondering if she could just turn her head and see up them. Give herself a nice morning show. His boots were well worn. Never had a man in cowboy boots been so attractive to her. Damn!

  Up and down, his wide chest moved as he breathed deeply. She didn’t want to wake him but she really had to use the facilities. He’d taken them to another rest area. She scanned the spot as she inched her way to the door. It wasn’t busy like it might be around lunchtime but there were people around and in view. As quietly as possible, she left and headed for the building.

  After she’d taken care of her needs and washed her face and hands, she felt better. Marginally. She couldn’t say more than that. Better is better. She passed a woman and her children as she left.

  The sight before her drew her up short as she walked into the main building. Tiarnán stood directly outside the bathroom, arms crossed and the scowl on his face enough to make her want to run back into the room with the sign that read ‘Women’ just so he wouldn’t follow.

  Then again, with that look on his face, he’ll most likely do just that and come after me.

  She raked her gaze over him—mad or not, the man was just too damn fine. “Morning,” she said with a smile. She did her best to keep her shoulder from moving.

  “That’s what you have to say?” His voice was low and furious.

  “Yes. It’s what I usually say to people in the morning.”

  “What were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking of avoiding another mess in your truck.” Her reply was as gentle as his question had been hard.

  She walked to him and put her hand on his arm. Power surged and she fought the urge to snatch her hand back. From the corners of her eyes, she saw those damn pinpricks of flame again.

  Tiarnán took a breath and seemed to get control of his emotions. “Are you okay?”

  “Sore, but yes, I’m fine. Hungry too.”

  He watched her with his hazel eyes. “You look good in my shirt.”

  She flushed. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “I woke the second you opened the truck door. I don’t want you putting yourself in danger, Calida.”

  “I’d say I can’t be in much more danger than I am now. From what you said, they’re like drones and will keep coming. I can’t not go to the bathroom or walk somewhere for the rest of my life because they may be there.”

  He sighed heavily. “We should get you fed.”

  “Where are we?”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Why doesn’t he want to answer my question? “I’m fine. Won’t be doing anything all that strenuous for a while, but I’ll live. Which, on the grand scale, is what’s important.”

  She rode in silence as he took them to a diner. It wasn’t a large one, just a business that was along the interstate. She took her bag as she got out and looked around. The sign was new and the building wasn’t in bad shape.

  Escorted by Tiarnán inside, she grinned at the growling her stomach did when the smells reached her nose. It had been a while since she’d last eaten and she was feeling famished.

  “Pick a seat anywhere,” a blonde waitress called out as she poured coffee for some other patrons.

  Tiarnán guided her to a booth and slid in across from her. They were by one of the windows and he had a view of the door. It didn’t take them long to have menus and coffee.

  She stirred sugar into hers and took a drink. A pleasured groan slipped from her throat. “Oh God, this is so good.”

  “Should I leave you alone with it?” he asked, one eyebrow arched.

  “Yes. Yes you should. I’m about to have multiple orgasms with this here cup of coffee. Please don’t disturb me.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “I should have known better than to ask you that.”

  “Possibly,” she muttered as she took another long drink. Eyelids fluttering down, she allowed the rich taste to seep into her blood and revive her. I could live off coffee.

  When their waitress came back by, they placed their order. Calida couldn’t help but notice how she continually watched Tiarnán and flirted with him. Part of her wanted to hit the woman while another part—which thankfully won—allowed her to remain in her seat and enjoy her drink. People were going to look at the man
. He turned heads where he went. Nothing she could do about that.

  Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.

  “What’s the frown for?” he asked as he drank from his own cup.

  She glanced up from what she’d been staring at by her thigh. “Just wondering why there are red flames dancing around my left hand.”

  “Are you upset?”

  “About what?” She hefted her mug. “I have hot, delicious coffee and food on its way.”

  “The waitress.”

  “I don’t have a problem with her. What does she have to do with anything?”

  “Sometimes jealousy makes the things come out.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “How do you know this if you’ve never gone through it before?”

  “I haven’t, but I’ve been around others who have. I saw it happen a few times when people were jealous.”

  She scoffed. “I’m not jealous.”

  He lifted that damn eyebrow again. “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Positive. So let it go.”

  His smile was pure sex and she felt its effect low in her gut. For starters. Determined to ignore it, she drank some more coffee and made sure to purr with pleasure as it slid down her throat. When his gaze darkened, she hid her own smile.

  The food was just as good as the coffee and she was enjoying her meal when he stopped eating and looked at her. She paused with a forkful of hash browns in her mouth.

  “Do you have the artifact with you?”

  Christ, back to that again? She nodded and shoveled more into her mouth after swallowing. The item was right beside her thigh in the bag she had between her and the wall.

  “When can I see it?”

  She swallowed. “You want it right now?”

  “No, in the hotel we get today.”

  “Fine.” Wait. He said today, not tonight. Are we getting one early? Why the hell does that make me giddy and horny all at once?

  He returned to eating and that was all that passed between them during the meal. He was as hungry as she was because they put away quite a bit. Tiarnán settled the bill and left a tip before they walked back out.