by Tena Stetler
“Ruben,” Tristian called. “You and your team surround the property and wait for my orders. Maps are on your phone. Should be no surprises. Everyone’s com’s working?”
“Yes, sir.”
The cars will drop us a quarter mile from the site, we’ll go in from there. “I’ll meet up with the vamp in front of the house, and we’ll handle it. No one goes in or out of the line once you set it up. Got it?” Tristian turned on his heel then stopped. “Don’t engage the creatures unless I tell you.”
“Yes, sir.”
He narrowed his eyes meeting the gaze of each man. “It’s my sister in there.”
“And Overlord’s…” Rubin stopped mid-sentence, swallowed hard at Tristian’s scorching gaze. “Your sister. Right. Understood.”
“We have to get her out before we engage the enemy.”
Rubin nodded and rushed off to join his team.
Tristian slid into the driver’s seat, glanced at his phone’s screen while waiting for the others to settle, then drove into the night. Stopping the vehicle a quarter mile from the property, he waved Ruben’s team on and motioned his team to spread out behind him. As they made their way through the underbrush, the noises of the night filled his ears, the bass of the frog’s croaks, shrill chirp of the crickets, and the buzz of mosquito’s swarming around his head. They timed their steps with the natural rhythms of the night, hoping to avoid detection until he spotted Stefan.
A twig snapped, and there was movement up ahead. A quick flash of light then darkness. A signal the vamp was ready. Tristian motioned his men to follow, a few yards from where the light had flashed, Tristian signaled his team to hold their position and silently touched in the phone number Bruce had given him.
At the first ring, a low voice rumbled, “Tristian.”
“Stefan we’re set.” Tristian turned the phone off and crept closer, giving a night owl’s call. The vamp silently joined him. Motioning to the window in the back corner of the house, where an eerie blue phosphorescent glow reflected in the glass.
In a hushed tone, Stefan said, “I’ll wait for you to get to the window. Then I’ll charge the front door at the same time you enter the window, draw their attention outside. The men will flee once I enter and grab the Council’s Harbinger, a double-sided ax. I can wield it, as I am of true blood and will terminate Rezar then the rest of them. You escape with the innocent.”
“If we encounter a problem, my men will move in.”
“Won’t be a problem. Now go,” Stefan said impatiently.
At the sound of the front door shattering as Stefan kicked it in, Tristian materialized inside the room where Angie floated in a blue bubble. So, that was how Rezar was keeping her alive. Tristian raised a hand to the warlock guarding his sister.
Angie’s voice pleaded inside her brother’s mind. Don’t hurt him. If not for him, I would not be alive.
Palm still facing the guard, Tristian muttered words under his breath, and the guard slumped to the floor. He touched the bubble, easily slid his fingertip through it, a blue haze seeped out around his finger. Tristian pulled it back, sucked in a breath, and began the incantation as he crept around the bubble; a smoke-filled layer surrounded the bubble. Standing as close to Angie’s body as possible, without rupturing the enclosure. His mind reached out and touched hers. You realize I’ve never done anything like this before.
She nodded her violet eyes wide open assessing his every movement. You can do it. You’ve always taken care of me. I love you. Now get on with it. Stefan can’t hold ’em off forever.
Tristian cursed, held his palms flat as he murmured words in cadence, pushed his hands through the first smoky barrier and through the bubble taking hold of Angie’s essence with both hands around her waist and shoved. The bubble collapsed in around her. As she faded, a gnarled hand caught hold of the blue phosphorescence tail attached to her filmy dress. Before Tristian could reach the body attached to the hand, they were gone.
“Noooo, Bruce watch out.” Tristian roared then fell against the wall. Stefan crashed through the door and stared at Tristian. “What’s wrong? Are you injured?”
“No. The bastard got hold of Angie’s essence and was pulled through to the other side where Bruce is waiting.”
Stefan leaned on the jewel encrusted handle of the bloodied double ax. “From what I’ve heard, the Overlord will enjoy finishing the demon off.” The vampire swung the ax up on his shoulder. “I’ve called for the clean-up crew. Your men took out a few creatures that escaped while I was otherwise engaged.” He motioned Tristian through the door, and they walked out on the porch where demon and vampire ash still swirled in the breeze. The two negotiated their way down the steps and over several body parts strewn over the front yard of the cabin.
“One renegade demon is unaccounted for and may have escaped.” His jaw clenched as he rubbed his chin with thumb and index finger. “Council will put a bounty out on his head. Won’t be long before he is terminated.”
Shit. I’d hoped to get ’em all. “Keep us in the loop. I’ll put one of my teams on it as well. We don’t want another incident.” Tristian raked his fingers through his hair, then shook the demon and vampire ash from his hand before extending it to Stefan. “Good job. Thanks.”
The vamp shrugged and clasped Tristian’s hand. “Just doing my job.” He strode off into the night as Tristian stood a moment more, his black duster flapping in the wind.
Chapter Twelve
Celebratory Home Coming, Elegant Dinner Plans, and Unexpected Events Stir the Pot.
Once Tristian and his men boarded the plane, he attempted to contact Bruce via phone. The call went to voice mail. He fidgeted, shifted in his seat. Waiting was a bitch. Finally, half-way through the flight, his phone rang.
“Bruce. It’s about damn time.”
“I was a little busy. Angie is safe and sound. She’s here with me. Rezar is dead. The rotten bastard stabbed me in the thigh with a dagger. It was his last act. I used his own dagger, with a little magic to gut him. But now, I really I gotta go. Fill you in on the details when you get back.” Bruce disconnected the call, and Tristian stared at the screen. Damn demon.
The sun was high in the sky as the company jet touched down on the runway. Tristian and his men clambered down the stairs.
At the base of the steps, he paused. “Take a couple of days off. The Vampire Council has assigned a task force to search for the missing demon. When we regroup, I’ll touch base with Stefan and see what progress has been made in the capture. If necessary, Rubin, your team will assist the vampires.”
“Got it.” Ruben turned to the others and motioned a release.
The ride to his apartment was uneventful. He waved to the driver while exiting the vehicle. Exhausted, Tristian trudged down the apartment hallway, opened the door with a thought. Hannah rushed to him, nearly knocking him over, and flung her arms around his neck. “I was so worried. Glad you are back. You okay?” She leaned back and surveyed his body.”
“I’m fine. Happy to be back. Angie’s safe, and Rezar is dead.”
“I heard. Tobi called, but she didn’t have any more details.” She rested her head on his chest with a sigh of relief.
He picked her up and whirled around once before setting her feet on the floor. Burying his face in her wavy hair, he breathed her in. Never had the mixture of honeysuckle and lilac smelled so good, replacing that terrible stench of the cabin from his nostrils. Raised up on tiptoe, she turned her face up toward his, her lips softly brushing his jawline. He reveled in that delicious sensation and relaxed against her, covering her mouth hungrily.
****
She gave herself freely to the passion of his kiss. The sensation sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl. Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes. The depth of his emotions swept over her, affection, desire, trust, and weariness reflected in his eyes. Additionally, never had she felt such turmoil in an individual. She guided him over to the couch and eased down with him. His emb
race tightened.
“So glad to see you,” he murmured.
His warm breath tickled against her cheek. “Tris, if you’ll loosen your arms, I’ll get the herbal tea I prepared. It’ll relax your muscles and ease the pain in your back.”
“No.” He nuzzled deeper into her neck, his tongue teasing a path to her earlobe, and along her jawline. He rested his head wearily on her shoulder.
Hannah leaned into him, gently caressing his shoulders and chest until he finally released her.
“I had no idea how good it would feel to have someone waiting at home for me. Now I know why my parents risked it all for family.” He sighed and relaxed against the back of the couch. “I’ll take that tea now.”
She padded into the kitchen, took a couple mugs from the cupboard, and picked up the kettle that simmered on the stove. Pouring the steaming liquid into the mugs, she spooned in a bit of sugar and added milk to hers. When she set a mug in front of Tristian, a bottle of Jameson’s whiskey appeared out of thin air and poured a generous amount into the mug, then disappeared with a pop. “Needed something stronger, huh?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Tell me what happened. Since you’re back, I assume Angie is too?”
“Yes. The bastard clung to her essence as she passed from the bubble to her body. Upon his arrival, his last act was to drive a dagger into Bruce’s thigh.”
Hannah sucked in a breath. “Oh God… Is he okay?”
“Of course. Bruce finished him off with his own dagger and demon magic, a potent combination.” Tristian couldn’t help but grin.
She detected a note of pride in Tristian’s voice. “So, things are better between you two on a personal level?”
Tristian glared at her for a beat. “I’m working on it. But our professional bond is strong.”
She nodded, glanced into the mug, took a sip, and leveled her gaze over the rim at him. “You do know that if you’d been completely honest with your sister, things might have turned out differently. And on that note—”
He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Tristian shifted slightly away from her in his seat.
She gently cupped his chin and turned his face to meet hers. “I’m sorry—but this has gone on long enough. It’s time she knows exactly what happened to your parents. It will help her to understand your rage and actions. Clear the air. A fresh start for everyone.”
“It’s not that easy,” he said stubbornly. Gulping down the tea, he hissed as the hot liquid burned his throat.
She hid a smirk behind her hand. “Tristian, I know what you are, know what you do, and I’m still here. We can’t move forward until you release that terrible burden you’ve carried for twenty years. She’s not a child anymore. Angie is a grown woman with a right to know. Besides, according to Tobi, Angie is aware that you’re still keeping something from her. Bruce has kept your secret since he figured it out, waiting for you—”
He sat up straight and glared at her again. “What did you tell Tobi.”
“Oh, get off your high horse. Nothing. I would never betray your confidence. Tobi gave me a lot of insight while you were gone.”
He groaned. “I never should have—”
“No, probably not. But it can’t be undone and you”—she paused and locked eyes with him—“had no choice. Want some more tea?” She pushed to her feet.
“No.” The bottle of whiskey appeared again and poured into his mug.
“Well, I do.” She sauntered into the kitchen, poured a mug, and sniffed the steam. “Mmmm. Smells good.” She sliced a couple of bagels and popped them in the toaster. “You really should eat something.”
He mumbled something unintelligible.
“I’m fixing bagels, I have blueberry cream cheese.” I know that’s your favorite. “You look like you could use a nap after the bagels. Then maybe later go out to dinner?”
“Mmmm sounds good.” He stifled a jaw-popping yawn behind his hand. “You’ll join me in a nap?”
“Of course, but no hanky-panky.” She smiled. He’ll be asleep before his head hits the pillow. When the slices popped up, she spread the cream cheese on the warm toasted bagels, set them on plates, added napkins on the tray, and carried everything into the living room. Tristian had sprawled across the couch and was softly snoring.
She brought a fresh mug of herbal tea and touched his hand. He jumped, his hand drew back in a fist. Hannah jerked two steps backward.
“Don’t ever sneak up on me.” Reaching for a bagel, he took a huge bite and washed it down with the tea. “Fresh mug, huh?” He caught her hand and pulled her down beside him, waggling his eyebrows. “How about we take a shower before that nap?”
“As long as you don’t fall asleep in the shower and drown.” She giggled.
“Oh, you’ll keep me awake.” Tristian’s voice purred as he set his mug on the table. Then took Hannah’s from her hand and set it down. He feathered his fingers along the soft sides of her back, her waist and hips. “Don’t you think it’s about time you tell me why you won’t let me make love to you?”
She drew in a long breath, desire heated all the right places and butterflies danced in her stomach. “Probably.” Even as she tried to tamp down the yearning, her pulse raced and her traitorous body arched against him.
Tristian pulled her into his lap and whispered, “I would never hurt you. If that’s what you’re afraid of.” Gently he slipped his arm under her knees and around her back, cradled her to his chest and stood, walking toward the bedroom. “Let’s see about that shower.”
****
A cool breeze blew tousled Tristian’s hair as he held the apartment building door open for Hannah. The last rays of sun faded into red, purple, pink streaks across the blue sky. A limo waited at the curb to whisk them to Fiola’s Restaurant for the best Italian food available in D.C. Tristian made reservations and insisted on a secluded corner table. Upon arrival, the waiter showed them to a table in the corner, wine chilling and the flame swayed on the candle in the middle of the table. Hannah’s eyes rounded as she sucked in a breath at the large bouquet of dark red roses in a clear crystal vase sitting beside her place setting.
The waiter glanced at Tristian with a slight smile. “Is everything to your satisfaction, sir?”
“Yes, thank you.” He discreetly put money in the man’s hand and pulled out Hannah’s chair. After she was settled, he pulled out the other chair and placed it beside her, eased down into it.
“Wow, you’ve been back how long?” Hannah said in hushed tones.
Taking the wine out of the ice, he poured the amber liquid into the glasses. “Long enough to know what a lucky man I am.” He reached for her hand. “I wanted to let you know just how much I appreciate you. My life is not an easy one, but coming home to you—makes—” He swallowed hard. “I love it. I’d like to give this relationship thing a try, if you’re still willing.”
“Well, I have to say I am going into this with my eyes wide open. Especially after spending a few hours with Tobi.”
He huffed out a breath. “I’m going to have a talk with her.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Hannah said louder that intended, then lowering her voice. “I wanted everything out in the open, and you couldn’t seem to understand that concept.”
He shook his head. “Still, she had no right.”
“I know. They’re your tales to tell. But your secrets are spilling out all over. You talk in your sleep or I guess actually, it was when you were unconscious? Which is how Tobi learned about me. That’s why we compared notes. You said some things about the death of your parents and Angie tying herself to a demon. Tobi put two and two together and wanted to know if she was right. I neither confirmed or denied the scenario she set out. Which, by the way, was pretty damn close to the truth.”
Resting his head in his hands, he stilled for several beats. “And she didn’t say anything to Angie?”
“Nope. Figured it was up to you. But…if you keep procrastinating�
��” She shrugged. “Anything is possible.”
“This is not what I had planned for this evening. I wanted to talk about us.”
“Okay, let’s do that.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “You know what I am. Along with that is a…” Hannah paused for a beat, lowered her long, red lashes and stared at her hands. “My kind mate for life, which means once the relationship is consummated, there can be no other mate for me. It’s forever. We believe in marriage and life-long commitment. I wasn’t… I’m not sure that is something you can live with.” When she slowly peered at him from under her thick lashes, there was a heart-rending tenderness in his gaze. It surprised her.
“Commitment was never in my plans. But neither was having a relationship with someone like you. I want to see where this thing between us goes, if we consummate it, I won’t leave you.”
“Oh, that’s great. Just what a woman wants to hear.” She yanked her napkin out of her lap and pushed up from the table. “I’ve heard enough. I want to go home.” She blinked back tears.
Tristian stood and grasped her hand. “You are taking this the wrong way.”
“It’s crystal clear.”
“Then your crystal is cracked. What I meant is that if we decide to consummate our relationship, I’ll be ready to face commitment and we’ll wed.”
“Face commitment? Really. Commitment to another for an eternity is something you do willingly. Not something you have to face.” She shook loose of his hand and turned away.
He raked fingers through his hair and reached for her again as people in the restaurant stared. His face flushed. “I’m mucking this up, and I can’t seem to help myself.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve never had a problem talking to women, but with you—things are different. Maybe—because it matters. Never did before. Give me five minutes…Please.”
He was ready to throttle her, she felt his anger building, but she couldn’t tell if it was at her or himself. Interesting. “Ok, you’ve got five minutes.” She gave the people staring at them a “mind your own business” glare, then glanced at her watch, eased back into the seat.
