“This is our intelligence centre. Maybe your body will be easier to control if your mind is properly occupied.”
Like the other rooms, this one was empty too, but not abandoned. “Where is everyone?”
“They work mostly during the day. We’ve got the place to ourselves.”
The idea of spending more time in his company both unnerved and reassured her. She was afraid of him, but he would be able to keep her Rider in check. Her Rider and the rest of the world.
“So, I guess I should thank you for saving my life.”
He gave her a scrutinising look. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for one of my best warriors.” It warmed her to hear Jeremy was a valued warrior, so she didn’t mind the slight. “I hope you don’t make me regret the decision.”
“Yeah, me too,” she said, sounding much braver than she was. She had a vivid notion he would end her life himself if she didn’t live up to his expectations.
He clapped his hands together, startling her. “Now, let’s see what we can get out of these computers.”
“What are we searching for?”
“Renegades.” The ‘duh’ that was implied seemed so out of character that she smiled.
“Well, that should narrow down the search. Give me a few key words and I’ll whip up a search parameter.”
They settled down to work together. The familiar routines she was good at were exactly as calming as Foley had suggested. She even forgot to be afraid of him. He didn’t flex his power again and her Rider didn’t show up. It was as if her life had returned to how it had been.
“Why the hell aren’t you in bed yet?”
Corynn jumped when Jeremy shouted at the door, but Foley didn’t even stir. He had most likely sensed his approach. He could have warned her too.
She glanced at the clock on the wall, surprised by the hour. “I guess I lost the track of time.” Then she gave him a critical once over. He seemed uninjured. He had showered and shaved, and was dressed in clean clothes, but his face was harassed. “Have you been looking for me for long?”
“Yes I have.” His worried anger disappeared. “Come, let’s get you to bed before the sun rises.”
She sighed. “I wish I could see a sunrise again. I didn’t value it enough the last time I saw it.”
“I know, and you will. Worry not.”
“Is there still time? I need to finish this search parameter.” But even as she spoke, she felt her bones grow heavy. “This feels most curious.” The last thing she saw before everything went dark was two pairs of hands reaching out to support her.
Chapter Seventeen
“So how about that meeting with Toby?”
Jeremy put down his utensils and considered how to answer Cora’s question. She had been more balanced the past couple of nights, ever since Alexander put her to work. It would never have occurred to him that she was strong enough for it already, but Alexander had known better.
But there were other complications. “I’m sorry, but now isn’t the best time to bring anyone here.”
“Why?”
Other warriors at the table paused their eating to find out how he would handle this. Bastards. “We’re on high alert and outsiders aren’t allowed in.”
He more sensed her worry than saw it on her face, her control over her body better than her emotions. “Is it something I should be concerned about?”
“Not anymore.”
“You’re still not going to tell me what it was that got you so hysterical in the first place, are you?” She didn’t sound angry; she sounded resigned. Her upset made him feel wretched. She deserved to know the truth.
“Have you heard of the so called Ripper 21?” He couldn’t keep the scorn out of his voice at the name the media had come up with for the serial killer, the twenty-first century Jack the Ripper.
She lifted her brows. “Of course. Is this what it’s all about? A serial killer? But what’s that to do with me?”
“There’s more than one killer and they’re not targeting random women. Renegades are behind it and they’re targeting women with promise. We don’t know why, maybe for an experiment to create women like them, and they all end up dead.”
She paled. “Why couldn’t you tell me this before?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want to shock you with telling you about your promise.” She looked sheepish, acknowledging that she hadn’t exactly taken the news well. “And you got the promise fulfilled pretty much immediately after I told you about it, thus taking you off the target list. And you’ve been here ever since. Renegades can’t get in here.”
“And neither can anyone else?”
“No.”
She sighed. “Well, can I go to him?”
“Absolutely not.” His harsh denial dismayed her, so he hastened to explain. “We’re not allies with his clan. And also being around that many leopard-shifters so soon after your fulfilment would be straining for you.”
She looked mulish. “Can’t we arrange a meeting on a neutral ground, then?”
“What’s with your need to see him all of a sudden?” He knew Toby wasn’t a threat to him, but he felt annoyed nonetheless that she would prefer the shifter’s company to his.
“He’s my friend. I haven’t seen him in weeks. And I’m going stir crazy cooped up in here!”
“What, are you saying we’re not fun to be around?” Nick quipped from the other side of the table.
She smiled at him. “Well, maybe once the big bad calms down a little when other men are around.” Everyone laughed, Jeremy included, although his hunger wasn’t showing any signs of going away.
Gabe cleared his throat at the end of the table. “If I may suggest a solution…”
Jeremy turned to him eagerly, glad for the intervention. He was beginning to learn that all his womanising hadn’t taught him anything about women. “Absolutely.”
Gabe smiled. “She could invite her friend to a café or restaurant in Epsom. It’s neutral territory, small enough so as not to put a strain on her, and easy to defend. The only other two-natureds she’s likely to run into there are the Greenwood clan wolves and they’ll keep to themselves.”
Jeremy glanced at Cora. “Would that be good enough?”
She smiled, slowly. “For now.” Then she jumped excitedly in her chair. “I can’t wait to contact him.”
“Just give me enough time to arrange a safe location.”
Jeremy began scouting for the suitable location immediately after dinner. He wanted to delight her, and jealousy shouldn’t matter. They would be meeting in Epsom, far from the renegade grounds, but he put security before all other concerns, like the menu or atmosphere of the place.
The pub he found was ideally situated by a main road, close to the Ewell Station should Toby come by train. It was more of a chain affair, but it was open late and served roasted meat he knew would appeal to Cora and her friend both. It had a garden terrace where they could eat, good for a fast escape, although indoors would be safer.
He considered reserving the entire pub for them, but Cora put a stop to that. “You’re making such a fuss. I’m meeting an old friend. There’s nothing to worry about. And he’s a leopard-shifter. He can defend me.”
“Like I’d let you go without me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Come, if you must. But stay far enough for the two of us to gossip in peace.”
The notion of listening to gossip about people he didn’t know or care about made him shudder, but then he reconsidered. It might be interesting to listen to the pair of them talk about their mutual friends and lives. She hadn’t brought up his life before becoming a vampire once, not in good or bad. He didn’t know who or what she missed about it. Toby was the only person she had mentioned. She hadn’t even called her parents, saying it would be too difficult for them at this point.
Was she ashamed of what she had become? She hadn’t wanted to be a vampire, he had done this to her against her will. She knew it couldn’t be changed, so perhaps she
was trying to embrace her new life by discarding the old completely. It wasn’t healthy. This meeting with Toby was a step in the right direction, so he shouldn’t oppose it.
The sun set around half past eight at this time of the year. Cora woke up soon thereafter and they left for her meeting as soon as she had prepared herself. “I haven’t put makeup on in days and my hair is a mess. Do you know if there’s a hairdresser I could visit while we’re out and about?”
“You look absolutely beautiful.” He didn’t think she needed any makeup, but it did bring out the sparkle in her eyes and disguised the last remains of her paleness.
She blushed, adding natural colour on her face. “Thanks. But the hair still needs some work.”
They arrived early so he could check the place one more time. He had reserved a table on the terrace, at the corner, so he could keep an eye on everyone approaching, and inside too, in case the weather turned sour. But the early May evening was beautiful and warm enough for even humans to sit on the terrace after the sunset. For Cora and Toby, it would be perfect.
He had dressed for the occasion too, his large wardrobe put to good use for once. He thought he looked as a boyfriend should, but to his amazement the staff and other customers were wary and even afraid of him.
“You’re stalking,” Cora noted, amused, when he brought it up. “And staring at everyone like you expect them to pull out a gun at any moment.”
“Huh. And here I thought I was blending in.”
She burst out laughing. “You’ll never blend in.” She patted his arm. “But you’re perfect as you are.” And damn, if that didn’t make him walk a little taller.
Toby arrived soon after. He was the shifter Jeremy had seen with Cora before, tall and lean, bordering on lanky, but moving with the sinuous grace of the feline predator that he was. Jeremy could see why she liked running with him; he had the perfect physique for it. And the chap was smart too, keeping his aura hidden. The last thing Jeremy needed was her to freak out at the sight of it.
Cora introduced the men. They measured one another, like two men in a woman’s life would, but also like two-natureds of any variation did when they met for the first time. For shifters especially, the hierarchy was important, and dominant enough vampires would be fitted in it. Toby wasn’t weak, but of the two of them, Jeremy ranked higher.
Good. It would make things easier between them.
“You look wonderful! I don’t know what I expected, but you’re obviously fine. What happened? Why did you suddenly decide you’d want to be a vampire? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Corynn took Toby’s hand that was resting on the table, trying to find the right words. She hadn’t shared the story with anyone yet, not even her parents, and she found it more difficult than she had thought to disclose everything.
“I was shot and I died. It was the only way to save my life.”
Energy spiked around him, warm, and so different from the vampire energy that she snatched her hand away. It wasn’t unpleasant, just unexpected. “Sorry.” She took his hand again. “I felt you more strongly than I’m used to.”
He shook his head, amazed. “You’re a vampire now. It’s to be expected, but I should have remembered and been more careful. The shock made me forget. Tell me everything.”
She explained it as simply as she could, trying not to bring emotions to it, but it was hard. When she finished, he had tears in his eyes. “To think I came so close to losing you. How could you be so reckless?”
She sighed. “I was angry with Jeremy.”
He glanced at Jeremy, who had settled down in one corner, a pint in front of him, seemingly relaxed. But he hadn’t touched his glass and he kept scanning the garden behind them and everyone entering the terrace. “I take it you’re not angry with him anymore? He’s the guy who wiped your memory, isn’t he? You were so furious with him … but I can absolutely understand why you would forgive him.” His voice was appreciative as he checked the big man out.
She blew Jeremy a kiss to let him know they were gossiping about him and he smiled. “I’m not angry with him anymore. He did what he must to save me.”
“So what’s it like, being one of us now?”
His question startled her. She hadn’t come to think that she wasn’t only a vampire, but a two-natured too, and that it would make the two of them alike. It delighted her, and a tension eased inside her. She had known Toby wouldn’t shun her, but she hadn’t thought he would see them belonging to the same side now. “Straining. There are so many rules.”
He gave her hand a consoling squeeze. “I know. It takes a while for a shifter to learn the ropes too. The beast can be difficult to control for the first couple of years, and that simply won’t do in the civilized world.”
“But at least you don’t have to give up the sun.”
He shuddered elegantly. “Don’t even say it. I’m a feline shifter. We love the warmth as much as natural felines do.” He noticed her upset and hastened to console her. “But you’ll get used to it. All vampires do. And it’s only for a century.”
“But I won’t be able to go running with you.”
He gave her a haughty look. “I can easily run in the dark. My eyesight is just as good as yours – better even. When I’m in my leopard form, you won’t be able to match me.”
“I’d love to see your leopard.”
“I can’t exactly shift in a restaurant full of humans. But I can show you my aura if you’re ready for it.”
Finally she would learn what the aura meant. “Show me.”
Without preamble, a leopard surged out of his chest, beautiful and sleek. It reached across the table to her and she pulled back, startled. The next instant Jeremy was standing behind her, a hand on her shoulder, offering stability.
“Hide it,” he snarled at Toby, who obeyed hastily.
“No. I want to see.”
“You almost lost control of … yourself,” Jeremy said, his hand still on her.
“Yes, but that was before I knew what to expect. I know now. Please,” she pleaded Toby. He glanced at Jeremy, but didn’t wait for permission, which she approved of. Circle warriors had their way far too often.
That’s because we’re at the top of the hierarchy , Jeremy said in her mind, but she just huffed.
Toby released the leopard again. It came out more slowly this time, and stayed closer to his chest. Unlike she had thought at first, it wasn’t real. It was translucent, although three dimensional and in full colour. It stared at her with intelligent, golden eyes, giving her a notion that the relationship between the two was similar to the one she had with her Rider.
“Wow, it’s beautiful. May I touch it?”
“Yes, but you won’t feel anything. It’s not solid.” The leopard stepped on the table, but it didn’t detach completely from Toby’s chest, its hind legs remaining inside him. It was huge enough to reach to her, and it acted like it was standing on the table. It paused before her and regally offered its head for petting. Laughing, she obeyed, though her hand only went through the aura.
“Oh, I wish I could see it in real life.” She shot a challenging glance at Toby. “I bet I could win against it in a race.”
He grinned. “You’re on.”
Chapter Eighteen
Jeremy tried to protest, but not very hard, so they ignored him. He was tasked with selecting a place for their race, and he took them to a large, fenced rugby practice field a couple of hundred yards from the pub.
“This is perfect,” Toby said, approving. “Nice even lawn and not a soul in sight.”
“There’s a huge meadow right after the practice field, but try not to head that far so I can keep an eye on you.”
Like schoolchildren, Corynn and Toby promised to be good. Then Toby took his clothes off, not even a little awkward that they would see him naked. She wasn’t paying attention to his human body anyway, too eager to see what would follow.
He went on all fours and relaxed. His aura began to grow so that it s
oon filled his body and then beyond it. Once it was full-size, it began to turn solid even as the human form faded. It didn’t look like it hurt, but she watched in worry. Within moments, a huge leopard stood where Toby had been. It shook itself and then leaned down to lick its chest where some fur was out of place.
“Amazing. You look magnificent.” She didn’t know if Toby could understand her, but the big cat shot a superior look at her, as if saying ‘but of course’. She laughed. “Well, then, I guess I’ll have to put my money where my mouth is.” Now that the actual leopard stood before her, she didn’t feel quite as confident as earlier that she could outrun it. But winning didn’t matter. The race mattered.
They settled to their places. I don’t know if you can boost me in any way, but now would be a good time. She wasn’t sure her Rider was even listening, as it had been very subdued ever since Foley had forced it down. But then Jeremy sent them on their way, and she shot off faster than she ever had. The Rider could definitely enhance her abilities.
In no time at all they were at the other end of the long field. Turning around seemed almost impossible at that speed, but somehow she managed it without tripping. Toby was right by her side. She was running as fast as she could, but she had a notion that the leopard was only warming up. She pushed herself a little more and got ahead, but right before the finish line Toby reached his long limbs and strained his muscles, and practically flew to the lead, winning easily.
She didn’t slow down, but ran straight to Jeremy, who grabbed her in his arms and lifted her up for a kiss. “That was brilliant. Can we do it again?”
Toby’s leopard seemed equally excited. Jeremy put her back down and she knelt in front of the beast to pet it. Its fur was soft and silky, and its muscles strong and sleek. It might be a deadly beast, but it allowed her to pet it like a cat, and seemed to enjoy it too.
Jeremy put a hand on her shoulder. “Come, we have to let him shift back.” She stepped away, and a moment later Toby was back in human form.
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