by D McEntire
“I’ll be damned,” he muttered, shaking his head, chastising himself for not putting the two together when he had heard Dana tell the animal she knew wolves didn’t have green eyes. The wolf and the woman were one in the same.
But how is this possible?
Rayne worked over possible scenarios in his mind, but kept coming to one conclusion.
“What’s around her neck?”
Dana’s voice snapped him back to attention, and he caught a glimpse of what the woman was referring to. In the vee of her shirt lay a pendant attached to a black cord. With shaky fingers, he gently lifted the necklace for a better look, and his heart skipped a beat at what he saw. She was wearing a totem of a black wolf.
“What is it?”
Dana’s voice made him jump. Rayne released the necklace, letting it rest against tanned skin his fingers itched to caress.
“She is a Skinwalker—one who is blessed by the Spirits to receive a totem spirit to help protect their people.”
Rayne could sense Dana’s stare as she waited for more information, but he couldn’t think straight at the moment. His mind was racing at the recent turn of events. First, finding a black wolf in the state park, then coming across the wolf battling Rogues and now this.
Dana cleared her throat, and he saw her shift out of the corner of his eye. Silently, he hoped she wasn’t going to ask any more questions. It had been a long, trying night and now dawn was coming.
“Well, there’s nothing more we can do for her but wait until she wakes. Why don’t you sleep on the couch, but you better sleep with one eye open. If she recognizes you, she just might go after you again, either in human form or as the wolf. You may want to lock the bedroom door.”
Rayne straightened, not pleased to see Dana sporting an amused look as though she was in tune with his feelings for the woman lying on the bed. He tried not to scowl, but did anyway, earning him a laugh as Dana turned and started out of the bedroom.
“I’ll check on you two later. I’m going inside the house. My husband won’t be back until later and my kids shouldn’t bother you. My son, Matt, will most likely be inside playing video games, and my daughter, Shayla, likes to sleep until noon, and she sleeps like the dead.”
Dana brought her hand up to her mouth to stifle a giggle, and Rayne rolled his eyes at her attempt at humor.
“Contrary to stupid myths, we are not dead,” he said dryly, sick of the absurd thoughts humans had about vampires.
Dana pretended to scowl and gave him a light tap on the arm. “Oh, come on, Rayne. You need to lighten up. Besides, you’re going to need a little softness and humor with this situation on your hands.”
With a chuckle, Dana left the bedroom. He heard the blinds being lowered, then curtains being yanked together. A quick glance out the bedroom door revealed the front of the trailer was in total darkness.
Rayne stood over the woman’s still form as she slept. He wanted to touch her, but held himself back, not wanting to wake her. She needed to heal. She needed to sleep.
A rumbling noise sounded in the room, and he realized it was him. What was wrong with him? He was hovering over this woman as if he were protecting his injured mate.
Rayne scrubbed his face with his hands. He needed sleep. After covering her with another blanket, he left the room and closed the door.
The couch was small and didn’t look comfortable, but Rayne didn’t care. He was tired. Picking up his walking stick, he placed it on the floor beside the couch where it would be in easy reach. He didn’t want to have to defend himself, especially not while she was injured, but he was not going to take any chances on being attacked again by the wolf or the woman who lay in the bedroom.
With a long sigh, he settled on the couch, trying to ignore the scratchy fabric and the fact he had to keep his knees bent to fit his legs on the shorter than normal piece of furniture.
This was going to be a long day, he thought on a groan as he shifted to get comfortable. He wondered how much day sleep he would get before she awoke. He needed to talk to her and hoped in human form she would be reasonable.
Chapter Nine
The crow of a rooster woke Suma. She stretched then hissed when a sharp pain reverberated through her left arm, and she drew it up, cradling it to her chest.
Although the room was a little dark, she could see a puckered pink line where the injury was starting to heal. When she moved to sit up and take in her surroundings, her head began to pound as if someone was using it as a drum. Where am I?
Pulling back the curtain, she peered outside, but no one was in sight. As she surveyed her surroundings, her mind raced, telling her she needed to get out of this room and find out where she was, and why.
An image of last night’s battle with the vampires flashed through her mind. At least she thought it was last night. She had no idea how long she had been out.
Suma recalled how the newcomer’s presence had surprised her, and the elation she had felt after discovering he was there to help the wolf fight the creatures. That was, until she saw glowing red eyes and fangs. He was another vampire—one of them.
Suma shivered at the thought as she braided her hair. Visions of rage and attacking him while in the wolf’s form came to her. The image of falling into a hole, a well-laid trap, had her closing her eyes. Never had she been so frightened. The sensation of falling before the pain of hitting the bottom of the hole still bounced around her head.
Had he set the trap for her, for the wolf? Was he only fighting the other vampires so he could take her alive?
Suma’s heart stilled. She recalled how he had climbed out of the hole with her wolf form on his shoulders as she slipped in and out of consciousness. In a panic, Suma sprang off the bed and grabbed the doorknob. It was locked. She pulled and shook with all her strength, but couldn’t get the knob to turn.
Steeling herself, Suma took several steps backwards, then rushed the door, throwing her shoulder and all her weight into it, sending it crashing open, splintering the wood in the doorjamb as it gave way.
Rayne had been in a deep sleep when a crash skyrocketed him to the surface. The hard jerk his body made almost threw him off the couch.
It took a moment for his eyes to focus since the sudden noise had sent a jolt of adrenaline rushing through his body like a speeding train.
Standing in the doorway, dragging in quick breaths, was the woman from the bedroom. Rayne struggled to release the tension he knew he was projecting. He needed to move slowly so he did not provoke or spook her.
“Hey, it’s all right,” he said in a low, soothing voice as he rose from the couch. He held his hands up, palms out to show he was not a threat.
She was eyeing him sharply through narrowed slits, following every movement he made like an animal stalking its prey. Rayne had to admit to himself her actions were turning him on. He cleared his throat and tried to focus on the situation at hand.
“You fell into a pit last night and were injured. I brought you to the woman who came to the park and left food and water for you…uh, for the black wolf, that is. I saw you two together, so I thought it best to come here to get help.”
Rayne watched her glance at the block of knives on the kitchen counter seconds before she made a sudden move in that direction. He sprang, his arms encircling her as he turned so when they hit the floor his body absorbed the impact. Immediately, he flipped her over. He was now on top, pinning her beneath him.
As she stared at his face, he saw a mixture of fear and anger in her emerald eyes. She was breathing hard, and so was he, their chests heaving against one another.
“We need to talk, not fight. I brought you here because you were injured, not to hurt you or go for round two.”
Rayne tried to calm himself, but despite the situation, her soft body made him want to go a round or two of a different kind. Her pink lips were parted as she tried to catch her breath, and he fought the urge to lean down and taste them. Never before had he been so captivated by a woman, and thi
s one mesmerized him to the core.
He leaned in close to her neck, inhaling the scent of her skin and hair, and almost purred. Her sharp intake of breath snapped him to attention and he quickly retreated, lifting his head to look at her face.
“I’m going to let you up, but first I want your word you will behave. No knives. Are we clear?”
Rayne waited, watching the war she waged with herself flash through her eyes. After a few moments, she nodded.
He couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed she acquiesced so soon. He was going to have to release her. His body screamed in protest, wanting a few more minutes of the feel of her body against him.
With a heavy sigh, he moved to the side and released her arms.
“Did I hurt you?”
Rayne watched her face screw up in a wince as she moved to sit up, and he felt guilty. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her, but he didn’t want to fight with her again. She had definitely been heading for the knives, and if he had to defend himself, he risked injuring her far more than with this tackle.
Suma was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Her first instinct, when she saw the vampire from the park standing in front of her, was to attack him.
His quickness caught her off guard, but what was more shocking was the gentleness he used as he had taken her down. Sure, she was jolted a bit, but his actions were not harsh or angry.
The man’s face as he loomed above her stole her breath, and so did his hard body resting atop hers. She could feel every muscle pressed against her, and to her astonishment, she found it enjoyable. He was warm and hard, and the look in his eyes, those golden eyes, almost made her forget to breathe.
Raw passion flashed through their honey depths.
When he leaned forward, she thought he was going to kiss her, and somewhere in her mind she wanted him to. Instead he got close enough to her neck she could feel his warm breath. She heard him inhale. It was strange, but erotic, making her heart skip a beat.
His closeness had his scent drifting over her. She was confused. It wasn’t the same stench as the vampires she had hunted all these years. He smelled clean, refreshing. Like a spring rain.
“Are you okay?”
His soft voice made her blink, and she realized he was sitting next to her on the floor, awaiting an answer to his question. She shifted and felt the ache in her arm.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Suma watched him stand, a graceful movement. He held out his hand, and she took it without a second thought. It was strong and rough, and part of her didn’t want to let go.
She stood before him and had to lean her head back to look at his face. He was so tall, the top of her head reached only to his shoulders.
“Who are you?” she asked curtly, breaking the spell this man was weaving over her.
“My name is Rayne. I am not your enemy, and I am not here to hurt you. I, too, fight the Rogues and was trying to help you last night.”
Rayne. Suma mentally ran the name over her tongue. She found it fit him perfectly. When he had fought the vampires his movements were smooth, fluid.
Something he said repeated itself within her mind.
“What the hell is a Rogue? All I know is I kill vampires, and you are a vampire. Don’t deny it. I saw your red eyes and your fangs!”
She knew it had not been her imagination, and a part of her did not trust him. Bide your time, she told herself and took several calm breaths. As soon as he dropped his guard she would make her move.
With the rise of her voice and its angry tone, Rayne braced himself for another attack. She took two steps back, but no attempt at his life came. Instead, she eyed him with what looked to be curious speculation.
Rayne tried to explain. “Yes, I am a vampire…”
When the woman stiffened, Rayne raised his hands higher to ward her off. “Wait, let me continue. As I said, I am a vampire, but I am a Watcher—a vampire warrior. Watchers hunt rogue vampires, the merciless killers you seek. The Rogues prey on humans and even other vampires, not only for blood, but for the thrill of their prey’s fear and death.”
The woman’s tense features relaxed slightly, and she nodded. “Yes, I have seen their kills. They seem to get a kick from it.” A harsh sadness flickered in her eyes.
“Now, it’s my turn. I know you are a Skinwalker, but who are you, and why are you here?”
Rayne noticed the woman’s shocked expression. She shifted uneasily and seemed anxious. He wondered why. He was a vampire for goodness sake, and had his own identity to keep secret.
“Look…” Rayne took a step closer, wanting to ease the anxiety and concern he saw on her face. “You don’t have to worry about my knowing. Don’t you think I have something to worry about now you know I am a vampire?”
Suma couldn’t stop the smile that crossed her face. He was right. She was being silly. This man was as much an outsider as she was. The thought brought her a little comfort for some reason, and she almost had the feeling of a kindred spirit with this man.
“You’re right. Okay.” She nodded in agreement to Rayne’s statement. “My name is Sumanitu Taka Wiya…”
He raised an eyebrow when she said her full, tribal name, and she stifled a laugh. People had trouble with names such as hers.
“But you can call me Suma as most of my people did…I mean do.” She could have kicked herself for the blunder. “I am of the Ute tribe, from the Uintah-Ouray Ute Reservation in northeastern Utah. My people are here for the Pow-wow in Louisville on the waterfront. It is my job to protect them wherever they go.”
Rayne motioned for her to sit. “Please, sit and let’s talk.”
Suma slowly walked over and sat on one of the chairs in the small living room, then looked around the trailer.
“Is this your place? Do you live here?”
“No,” he answered. “It belongs to the woman I told you about. Her name is Dana Viers. This was the best place to stay out of the daylight. She doesn’t want her husband and children to know we’re here, which I am sure you appreciate as much as I do.”
Suma agreed. She was used to hiding out.
For several moments, they sat in silence, and she could feel his eyes on her as she gazed around the trailer.
Rayne understood now. She was one of the Chosen Ones. The Spirits chose those who would walk among their people, protecting them from the evils in the world so their lineage and heritage would continue through time. He knew about this calling all too well.
Finally, he spoke again, wanting to know more about the woman sitting across from him.
“You said you were here to protect your people. Since you were fighting rogue vampires, I assume that is what you’re supposed to be protecting them from.”
Suma nodded again, so Rayne continued his questions.
“Okay. Another question. If your people are at the waterfront in Louisville, why were you at the park instead of with them?”
When Suma shifted in her chair Rayne knew he had hit a sore spot, but he didn’t know what to make of it. He remembered how alarmed she was when he had said he knew she was a Skinwalker. Did her people not know about her?
“So, now you know who I am and where I am from, tell me more about you, vampire.”
Rayne figured his questioning of her wouldn’t go on for very long, but he was thankful he had gotten some information before she turned the tables. He sighed and stared at her a moment, letting her know without words her tone hadn’t gone unnoticed. He wished he could get her to release him from the same category as the Rogues.
“As I said, I am a Watcher. We operate in Cells located throughout the world. I belong to a Cell in downtown Louisville. There are actually four of us there.”
Suma’s eyes widened. Rayne could see she didn’t like the fact there were many of them, and close by. Concern for her people fluttered across her face.
“We hunt and kill Rogues, not humans and not civilian vampires. Even civilian vampires, and there are a lot out there, do not kil
l humans. The only ones who do are Rogues.”
Her opinion of vampires had him wanting to defend his species and himself. He didn’t care what she thought of Rogues. But, her feelings about him, as well as the Watchers in general, did matter. He didn’t want her to shut him out. He didn’t want her thinking badly of him either.
Chapter Ten
Suma stared at the man sitting in front of her, picturing him on the pages of a calendar, or better yet, lying on her bed. She found herself having a hard time getting around the fact he was a vampire. The part of her that didn’t care made her feel guilty as though she was betraying her people, betraying her grandfather and betraying the Spirits.
When he had said he knew she was a Skinwalker, she had felt the blood drain from her face as she had waited for a volley of myths and horrific tales to come spewing out of him. It hadn’t seemed to bother him, at least as far as she could tell. His eyes had held no condemnation or even confusion, as if he knew and understood what a Skinwalker was. She almost gave herself a head slap. Of course he knows what a Skinwalker is. He is Native American.
“Listen, are you hungry? I believe Dana mentioned having some food in here.”
The sound of his voice made her jump slightly, and she turned to watch him open the refrigerator door. “There’s not much to choose from—bottled water, a few cans of beer, a case of Diet Mountain Dew, a carton of eggs, a loaf of bread and a pack of bologna,” he said from behind the door.
She watched him shrug before he pulled out eggs, bread and bologna, and held them up for her inspection.
“Well, looks like that’s it, besides some crackers and a jar of peanut butter I saw on the counter.”
Suma’s stomach awakened at the sight of the food. She hadn’t realized she was hungry until then. “A bologna and egg sandwich would be fine. Would you like me to cook?”
Rayne set the food on the counter and brought his hand to his heart, then gave a wounded look. “What? You don’t think I can cook? I’ll have you know I am totally into this century. I may be a man and a vampire, but I do know how to cook.”
