by Michele Hauf
"Maybe not, but you can't find her without me."
Dak scowled. The last thing he wanted to do was admit the truth of that statement, and after tonight, he wouldn't be able to follow Nicole covertly. He'd let her inside his shield, and the instant he got within sensing range in the future, she'd know he was there.
"Show me how to use my powers, Dak."
The entreaty on her face, in her voice, nearly compelled him to say yes because it would make her happy. He fought the urge. Instinct, the one that demanded he protect his mate at all costs, rose to save him. If Nicole fought the vampire even with demon powers, she would probably lose. Mary Beth was old and no doubt battle tested from the vampire wars. Nicole would be wielding talents she'd hardly learned to use.
"No."
Her anger hit him like a nuclear blast and he cursed silently. Their bond had expanded already. He was doomed unless he got out of here immediately and stayed away. Dak eyed the door.
"I won't let you follow me to the vampire," Nicole said. There was no sign she was mad in her voice or on her face, but he felt the emotion. "And if you can't find her, you can't kill her."
"You can't kill her either."
"That doesn't mean I'm going to quit trying. Mary Beth dies or I die, but I'm not walking away."
She was serious. Unable to stand still, Dak strode around the living room. Nicole was demon to the core. Only a demon developed that kind of obstinate obsessiveness. If she were human, he could probably reason with her, make her see how foolhardy the decision was. But a demon on a mission? Nothing would change her mind.
That damn protectiveness which had saved him earlier reared up, only this time it was like an anchor around his waist, dragging him so far beneath the surface, he had no hope of reaching air before he drowned. He fought against it anyway and fought hard.
He lost.
Dak stopped pacing and turned to glare. Damn her, he couldn't allow her to die. That meant sticking close to ensure Mary Beth didn't kill her. It meant training Nicole in her magic to give her a fighting chance if he went down, and to do that, he'd have to spend a lot of time with her.
It was a foregone conclusion they'd wind up chained to each other before they were finished.
His voice was choked, but then he was trying to strangle back the words. They escaped anyway. "I'll teach you how to be a demon. I just hope you don't regret our becoming mated as much as I will."
Chapter Six
Nicole balled her hands into fists and took a stride toward Dak before she regained control. Why the hell was she getting mad about his aversion to being mated? It wasn't as if she wanted it either. Demons were an enemy for crying out loud. And it wasn't as if he were rejecting her. Not really.
Even if it felt that way.
She quashed the irrational anger and focused on what mattered. "We're adults. Just because we want each other—mate thing or no mate thing—doesn't mean we have to give into the need." Dak didn't say anything, but his expression was so patronizing, Nicole felt her temper slip. "We can say no, damn it."
"For a time." His tone matched his expression.
When she realized she was grinding her teeth, Nicole forced herself to unclench her jaw. "Why do you have to be such an ass?"
"Why do you insist that human actions and reactions apply to demons, too? We're not human and this mate thing is very real. The repercussions are lifelong whether you're ready to accept that or not."
A chill went through her, but she ignored it. "The only thing that matters is learning how to use my powers in order to kill the vampire. We can start my lessons now."
Resignation and frustration washed over her. His emotions. Nicole shifted and tried to quell the uneasiness. She'd always been a fairly empathic person, but this was more than that. "Well?" she prompted when he didn't speak.
"We can run through the basics, but more than that will have to wait."
Nicole's jaw went tight again. "I won't allow you to stall." He muttered something she couldn't quite make out and pivoted abruptly. She waited until he made a circle around her living room. "There's no reason why you can't spend the rest of the night teaching me, and since sunlight has no impact on demons, we can keep going past dawn."
"Do you think a single lesson is going to teach you enough to kill a vampire who's at least a thousand years old?" Dak shook his head. "Even if that were possible, I can't do it."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't—"
Dak scowled fiercely enough to stop her words. Not because he worried her—he didn't—but because she suddenly found herself wondering if that was the expression he wore when he came. She wanted to know. Nicole struggled to put aside the image of him rocking between her legs and listen to what he was saying.
"I told you I took a blast that left me weakened. My powers are maybe a fraction of what they should be. I'll need hours of sleep before they return to normal."
"You strengthened my wards," she argued and hoped he didn't pick up on the breathlessness in her voice.
"That's not the same thing."
Did he expect her to buy that? "Sure it is."
"It isn't. The draw is shallower." Maybe he read her lack of comprehension because he sighed. Loudly. "I'll show you what I'm talking about tomorrow when I've recovered. Once you experience it for yourself, you'll understand what I'm saying." He took a step toward the door.
Nicole glared. If he thought he was walking away that easily, Dak could think again. Before she could stop him, though, some strange energy raised the hair on her arms. His entire body went rigid. "What the hell is that?" she asked in a whisper.
"Get your coat."
She didn't argue. Nicole shrugged into her leather jacket, checked to make sure her two knives were tucked in their sheaths, and moved to Dak's side. They were going to run. He hadn't sent that, but it was as if he'd allowed her to slide into his head and share a few very limited thoughts. It only weirded her out a little.
Dak took her hand, his warm fingers linking with hers, and he tugged her to the front door. Dak?
Mary Beth is nearby. She fired the amulet; that's the energy you perceived.
Nicole hadn't picked up the vampire and she should have. As Dak opened the door and wrapped his energy cloak around her, she searched for Mary Beth, but came up empty. He was supposed to be unable to sense the vampire. Was she really there?
She's there, Dak told her. Maybe out of range, but I know what I felt, and since it's unlikely there are two amulets, it must be her.
He opened the door and waited impatiently while Nicole locked it. As soon as she put away her keys, Dak caught her hand and pulled her to the stairwell. For a big man, he managed to move silently and she tried to do the same. But a question lingered. If Mary Beth fired the amulet, why weren't you affected? I thought you said another shot would take you out of the picture?
Sure, wards offered some protection from magical attacks, but that was limited and they did nothing to stop physical incursions. Their main function was to conceal and even that was imperfect.
The energy only partially penetrated the wards, Dak sent.
Was there an edge of hurt to his frustration this time? Nicole wasn't sure and he bottled up his emotions so fast, she didn't have more than a split second before they were gone. Okay, so she felt as if she could trust him, but could she?
They reached the lobby level and Dak took the turn to the next flight, the one that led to the parking garage.
Call her skeptical, but everything seemed too convenient. Dak claimed he needed time to recover from the blast earlier tonight, but a second shot from Mary Beth—a vampire Nicole should have been able to sense if she were in the area and couldn't—hadn't injured him. And instead of asking questions, she'd put on her jacket and followed him as if she didn't have a clue about demons.
Abruptly, Dak stopped, pressed her back against the wall of the stairwell, and caged her in with his body. His eyes were glowing red, a sure sign of high emotion. Nicole guessed anger.
&nb
sp; "You're my mate." His voice was soft, but there was so much growl to it, that she upgraded his mood from angry to royally pissed off. "That means something whether I like it or not. There are two things that you need to know right this moment—one, I won't lie to you even to make things easier for myself. Got that?"
"Yes." He opened himself more, letting her feel his emotions and leaving her no room to doubt his veracity. "And the second?"
There was an infinitesimal hesitation, then, "A demon male will die if that's what it takes to protect his mate. It's biological, instinctual—there is no choice about it. Remember that before you do anything stupid."
Nicole gasped, but he didn't allow time for that to sink in before he was moving again, tugging her in his wake. She wanted to be furious at his belief that she'd do something dumb because getting mad would make everything easier. Too bad she couldn't manage it, not when she knew he wasn't lying or exaggerating about giving up his life to defend her.
Her hand tightened around his and a need to keep Dak safe welled up—her own instincts at work? Nicole wasn't sure.
They reached the door to the parking garage, but while Dak put his hand on the handle, he didn't open it. Instead, he tipped his head, as if listening.
The vampire must have believed her amulet could take him out at a distance, leaving Nicole on her own. Only that hadn't happened and she'd wasted the shot. There were things Nicole couldn't figure out, though, like how had they been found and why the attack?
Nicole didn't realize Dak continued to be tapped into her head until he said softly, "This is an ideal time. I'm not much of a threat at the moment and she's confident she can beat you. We got lucky, though. The amulet is dead for a while, long enough for us to get out of range."
He eased the door to the garage open and hurried them through it. When they were away from the entry and deep into the shadows created by the cement pillars, he carefully studied their surroundings.
The intent look on his face made her catch her breath. It wasn't the time for sexual fantasy, she knew that, knew they were at risk, but Nicole couldn't suppress the desire. He'd have that same intensity in bed, and she could see him, naked and over her. Simply imagining how good he'd feel inside her made her shudder.
"Don't do this to me," he warned her. "Not now."
His voice was choked and Nicole blinked, focusing on Dak's face again. Instead of bringing her back to earth, the heat in his eyes sent her spiraling deeper into lust.
"A demon's greatest weakness is how easily emotion overcomes our intellect, but you're half human." Dak's hand tightened around hers. "Use that part of yourself to contain the desire. We're too tied together for me to disconnect from you and neither of us can afford to be distracted in this situation."
At first, she was lost in the raspiness of his voice, the way his lips moved when he spoke. Then what Dak said registered. That should have been enough to snap her out of it.
It wasn't.
"Come on. Help me here, Nikki."
"I knew you'd use that nickname!" One corner of his mouth quirked up and Nicole yanked her hand free. Maybe he wouldn't lie to her, but he clearly wasn't above pushing her buttons. "Asshole."
"It worked, didn't it? Let's get out of here."
Yeah, it had worked. Mostly. The desire was there, simmering beneath the surface, but the spike of anger had gotten her to regain control. With his head, he gestured to his left. Nicole followed on his heels, so close that when he came to an abrupt halt, she bumped into his back. Going up on her toes, she peered over his shoulder.
"Leaving so soon?" a feminine voice asked.
Nicole cursed under her breath. She'd forgotten to monitor the vampire's whereabouts.
Chapter Seven
Son of a fucking bitch. Dak clamped down on his emotions fast, but not quickly enough to prevent the vampire from catching the burst. Smugness emanated from her.
This late at night, the parking garage was filled with cars, limiting his ability to maneuver. How the hell had she zoomed in on them? No, he and Nicole hadn't been paying attention, but Mary Beth had been out of Nicole's range the last time she'd checked and they shouldn't have found themselves cornered.
Nicole moved and Dak shifted, keeping her safely behind him. He'd warned her about instinct, but the strength of his reaction rattled him.
"This should be fun," Mary Beth said. "You have all the disadvantages of being mated."
Dak fought to remain impassive, but he didn't like that the vampire could read him so clearly, and he hated that she was aware that she could use his need to defend Nicole as a weapon against him.
With an icy smile, the vampire splayed her fingers at her side and extended her talons one at a time. Those claws were long enough, strong enough to sever his head from his body.
There were no exits behind them—that meant they had to go through her to get away—and Dak extended his own talons. His were as long and sharp as the vampire's, but he'd never used them in battle. He checked his power level. Maybe enough for one magical blast, but nothing more than that. Hell.
With casual deliberation, Mary Beth strolled toward them. The talons on her other hand came down without the theatrics.
Dak moved forward, cutting off the vampire's angle to Nicole. This wasn't good. The only thing he could think about was keeping his mate safe and he wasn't planning strategies or countermeasures against his opponent.
The idea of dying because he couldn't contain some damn demon trait pissed him off.
With a sudden burst of speed, Mary Beth surged right, as if to go around him to reach Nicole, and Dak intercepted her. He growled before he could stop it. The sound was low, it was dangerous, and it was filled with anger.
Control. He'd been trained to lock down his emotions and do his job, but he couldn't find the off switch tonight. Dak felt wild, raw, and more like an animal than a demon.
The vampire went the opposite direction and Dak stopped her again.
Mary Beth's laugh grated. "I believe I'll incapacitate you first," she told him. "You'll watch me kill her before I end your life, too."
Nicole moved, trying to reach his side, and using his shoulder, he blocked her. Stay put, he sent.
I'm a vampire hunter; I can help you.
He knew that, damn it, and he knew they had a better chance if they worked together, but it meant exposing Nicole. Everything inside him balked at the thought.
The vampire lunged and Dak brought his arm up, blocking a strike. Mary Beth's claws ripped at the leather sleeve on his jacket, but she didn't reach skin.
Damn, they were in a bad position, hemmed in by cars and pillars. He needed to go on the offensive, because even without his magic, attacking was better than reacting to the enemy, but Dak couldn't take those few steps away from Nicole.
Mary Beth came at him again. In other circumstances, he would have spun out of her reach, but not this time.
Not when his body protected his mate.
The talons scored his jacket, hitting the left chest and trailing down. A finger reached his T-shirt, shredded the cotton, and drew blood.
He retreated slightly to end contact and bumped into Nicole. She backed up to give him room. Dak didn't think the wound was too deep—it stung more than hurt—but he could feel warmth trickling down his chest.
"I killed your kind in the demon wars," Mary Beth told him, her eyes glowing that freaky white-blue that vampires exhibited sometimes. "I'll kill you, too. You're delaying the inevitable."
"Right." Dak had no doubt she'd killed demons, but did she seriously expect him to concede so that she could murder him and Nicole without expending more effort? "You know that even a weak demon is stronger than a vampire and you know that I'm not a weak demon, right? Do you seriously think I'm going to surrender?"
And why was she tossing out an inanity like that anyway instead of striking? If she knew enough to realize he'd do whatever he had to in order to protect Nicole, the vampire also had to be aware that he'd never give up. So�
��
The amulet.
She was trying to delay until it recharged enough to blast him again. The vampire might not be able to use fangs, but that damn wizard's charm was enough weapon to bring him down without risking any injury herself.
Desperation rose and Dak wrestled with yet another emotion. He already had too many to contend with; he didn't need more.
He forced himself to take one step away from Nicole, but before he could think about attacking, Mary Beth whirled and kicked out with her foot. It caught him in his midsection, doubling him over. The claws raked his back.
Coming up, he slashed out with his own talons, but he was clumsy and the vampire easily evaded him. She jumped on the hood of a car and leaped to the next, working to get around him.
Trying to get to his mate.
Dak shifted, nudging Nicole back a few steps. One good thing about the parking garage—the ceiling was low, preventing Mary Beth from going airborne. He had enough trouble without that.
The damn vampire knew exactly what to do to keep his brain out of this fight. Part of him could see her tactics, observe his own reaction to them, but he couldn't overcome his automatic response.
Mary Beth jumped onto the roof of a SUV, crouching to avoid hitting the cement beam above her. Dak stepped back again, keeping Nicole behind him.
His mate huffed out a breath and he didn't have to be connected to her to realize she was annoyed. "I'm armed," she said quietly next to his ear, "and I know how to fight vampires. This is stupid."
Frustration rose. Didn't she think he knew that? What he couldn't figure out was how to stop acting like an untrained fool.
With a laugh, Mary Beth hopped off the SUV, landing on the pavement near him. Dak stepped away, shifting to keep himself between Nicole and the vampire. His elbow hit a cement wall.
They were fucked. Mary Beth had forced them to retreat until there was nowhere else to go. Cars to the left, cars to the right and the vampire in front of them. If he didn't overcome this need to shield his mate, they were both going to die.
