Time To Die (Vampire Assassin League Book 32)

by Jackie Ivie

  And that’s when she panicked.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The woman needed to cease fighting him. She expended energy with every lunge and kick, but at least she was no longer screaming. All of it was ineffectual. Her efforts hadn’t done much except get her limbs held tightly to him. The netting she wore scratched his skin. That was an irritant. As were her struggles. They didn’t gain her much. Perhaps he should have enthralled her before snatching her. So she could conserve her energy. She was going to need it.

  By the gods!

  He had a mate...and he’d found her!

  At the thought, Tane grinned. He couldn’t help it.

  It was just like he’d been told when he’d become one of the un-dead. Vampirism didn’t equal eternal life. It was an existence of animated death. Emotionless. Passionless. Endless. There was only one thing that altered it. If Tane was supremely lucky, and chances of this happening were astronomical, his mate would enter his sphere, and just like that...everything would regenerate.

  He hadn’t received a hint of warning. No time to prepare. He was in luck it was the midst of the wet season. He hadn’t taken time to shower. Groom. Select appropriate garments. He’d been awake, checking email and debating assignments when his heart had given a shudder. Tane had first felt denial. Then shock. And then absolute astonishment.

  He remembered it perfectly. Exactly. And he still felt the same incredulity.

  It felt like hours had passed, but they couldn’t have. He’d shot from a tunnel. Gone airborne. Searched. Locating her hadn’t been difficult. That area of the island had seemed aglow. Her voice had even been a beacon. The alarm tingeing her words was a direct catalyst. It sent speed to his flight while his heart had seized up with a completely foreign sensation. His shrieks had carried the level of it. And he’d finally spotted her.

  She’d looked so small.

  Vulnerable...

  And under such threat!

  He still didn’t know what his mate looked like – nor did it matter – but he knew one thing. She was extraordinarily brave. She’d been facing a group of headhunters as if she had a chance. She’d managed to stick knives into two of them before Tane reached her, using a burst of speed that surprised even him. He’d rocketed into the scene, completely annihilated her assailants. Without pause. Or care.

  It felt like a fuse had been lit somewhere in his body. It had been on a slow burn-level until he’d touched her. Then things had turned really chaotic. The return of sensation had gone massive. It was a supreme force. His body had reacted without any instruction from him. He’d grown hard. Ready.

  Oh!

  This was extremely enjoyable. These were signals he had no trouble reading. This was beyond wonder. It was perfection. He’d been particularly virile when alive—with compliments to prove it from many an appreciative woman. Finding his mate sent everything about that time right back to him.

  Everything.

  He had to get her home. Hold her close. Demonstrate what she meant to him. Somehow keep from frightening her when the combination of want and need he suffered just kept ratcheting higher. His body was near pain with the level of it. His gut coiled with something that flicked tendrils of fire through him. His groin was heavy. Throbbing with ache.

  It was too much to fathom.

  Tane shoved his head back and sent a triumphal bellow into the rain-filled day. He didn’t cease until his breath ran out. And then he did it again. His lungs burned as they expanded and contracted. His abs joined the fray, tightening until they were ablaze with heat. That’s when he started laughing. Because he could do all of that!

  He was even breathing!

  His cry of jubilation was ill-timed. Completely stupid. It disturbed more than one jungle creature and it altered his ability. His flight slowed, then ceased altogether, and that’s when they plummeted. Tane gripped her legs tighter to him with one arm. The other hand held her in place atop his shoulder as they fell. He spun and rotated, taking the brunt as wet leaves smacked at them, grunting more than once as he careened off something. Broke off a branch.

  Thank the gods!

  One of his platforms loomed into view. Tane released her shoulder, grabbed a tree limb, and swung through the entryway. The door had been fashioned from ropes entwined about rough-hewn boards. It didn’t slow him. The door swung upward and smacked into the ceiling as he vaulted through it. The center tree stopped him. Tane slammed into it, cracking his back with the force. The entire structure shuddered about them. Planks jolted beneath his feet. He grabbed for an upper limb on the support tree, held his breath, and finally the platform ceased swaying. He waited. Listened for cracking. Anything that might portend disaster.

  Good.

  The integrity of the structure hadn’t failed.

  That was satisfying. He’d built these platforms because he liked inventing and constructing. It helped pass time, and he’d had a lot of that. He’d also had all manner of building material and nothing much else to do. These structures were one level. Some were plumbed with running water. They were situated all over the island, mostly high in the trees. Sturdy. Hidden. He used them for many things. To hide from sunlight. Watch interlopers on the island. Endure the passing of hours.

  This was the first time he’d considered using one for mating.

  Tane released his pent breath with a sigh that should have contained worry, and it would have if he wasn’t so beset with physical craving. He sent a swift glance about. This particular structure had some furnishings. A collection of old travel trunks were placed along one wall. They looked like ones he’d pulled from a shipwreck, a century ago. Maybe longer. Before air travel was invented. Back then, ships had sailed these waters fairly frequently, and they’d carried cargo.

  Cargo.

  Yes!

  That was it! Stacks of still-tied bundles were piled haphazardly atop the trunks, covered with layers of fallen leaves intermixed with dust. More than one industrious spider had woven its web atop the area as well. He’d have to knock everything aside. Dig through the piles. Perhaps rifle through trunks. There should be something he could use for a bed...

  A tremor ran through him. Tane clenched muscles against it. This mating thing was large. Almost overwhelmingly so.

  He quickly moved his gaze to the far corner, and stared at a partition for a bit before he recognized it. Ah. He’d somehow reached one of his platforms with running water. While that wasn’t of any use at the moment, it might be later. Above the partition he could see the large bowl he’d poked holes in to make a shower head. There would be a large clamshell beneath it for use as a basin. The plumbing he’d designed was working. He could see water dripping from the shower as well as hear trickling sounds. That would be overflow from the system of rain barrels he’d designed. Sounded functional. Unclogged.

  But there was nothing in that area to assist him right now. Tane swiveled his head to view the other half of the room. A large mass of rope was fastened above where he still held to the support tree. The hemp poured downward from there, making a large pile on the floor.

  Ah.

  Interest sparked instantly, but just as rapidly waned. The rope was a hammock. One end should be affixed to the far wall. But a hammock would be too difficult. Tane smirked. He’d be better off making a pallet of some kind on the floor.

  Then again...

  Despite the time involved, he could always take her airborne again. They weren’t that far from his home. Half an hour. Maybe less. It was located deep in the mountain. He had all sorts of amenities there. Volcano-fueled heat. Running water. Electrical power. Some really large beds...

  “All right. That’s it.”

  His mental planning halted at the words. She possessed a stirring voice. It lifted goosebumps on his skin, even with the acidic tone she used. She didn’t sound like a smitten woman. Or even one who was interested.

  This could be trouble.

  “Put. Me. Down.”

  She separated the words. Used a low tone
. Tane cocked his head as if considering her command. There wasn’t any reason to deny it. She couldn’t go far. And he wanted her down. Unwrapped. And naked. In his arms. Her legs wrapped about him...

  “I know you understand me. Okay?”

  Her words stopped his thought process, as well as gave him a swift dose of annoyance. Because he was the one who’d given her his knowledge of English. But he hadn’t known she’d use it against him! Uh. The annoyance worked well for something, however. It took the edge off his ardor. Not enough, but some.

  Tane finally bent forward, lowered her to her feet, and then released her. The sense of loss was instantaneous, as if she was the lone source of heat and the room held a sudden chill. He almost grabbed her again. Before that could happen, Tane moved, sliding around the support tree to the opposite side. He was in luck again. If he crouched slightly, the hammock ropes reached high enough it concealed his hips. He was primed and ready to mate. It was obvious. The last thing he wished to do was frighten her.

  She was still shrouded in a mass of net but it wasn’t an issue. He could see beyond each strand. Discern her shape. She was shapely. Feminine. He couldn’t see her face, however. She wore a short brimmed hat that held the mesh off her face, and her head was lowered. He couldn’t tell her hair color, either. She had it tied back or kept it short. No hair rested on her shoulders. She wore a jacket with two bands that crossed in front. Loose-fitting khaki-colored slacks below that. Rugged boots were on her feet. She was extremely wet. She dripped on the floor beneath her, making a dark spot. It grew larger as he watched.

  She flashed a glance toward him and quickly looked down again. It hadn’t been long enough to catch much. But she had dark eyes. Darker lashes. And a really lush, red mouth. Tane narrowed his eyes, lowered his chin, and waited. The netting waved about her as she lifted a hand and gestured toward him with her index finger.

  “Look. I don’t know who you are. Or...what, for that matter. But this has gone on long enough. Okay?”

  “Tane,” he offered.

  “Tane? What the heck is that?”

  “My name,” he informed her.

  “Oh. Fine. In that event, I’m Kat.”

  Tane frowned slightly. “You are named for a...feline? Is there some meaning?” Perhaps she resembles one?

  “Not that I know of. Look. Not every name has to have a meaning.”

  “Mine does.”

  She gave a heavy sigh. “I’m almost afraid to ask what it is. I suppose you’re going to tell me anyway, though?”

  “It means ‘god of the forests’.”

  “Oh. Brother.”

  Her tone was sarcastic. As was the way she folded her arms beneath the netting. It had to be uncomfortable under there. Inside this platform, with the walls latched down, it would soon grow hot and humid as well. He was experiencing the start of it. He could actually feel his skin grow moist.

  He could sweat?

  Tane nearly crowed with the delight. But instinctively knew it would be a poor move. And this was definitely the wrong time.

  “I really should have seen that answer coming,” she finished.

  “Are you attempting to anger me?”

  “Not hardly. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on. And...I admit. I’m not exactly succeeding.”

  He considered her for a long moment. He couldn’t enthrall without direct eye contact. But he might be able to do it verbally. When he spoke, the deep tone vibrated through the enclosure.

  “Take your netting off.”

  “Oh. I don’t think so.”

  What was this? She wasn’t affected by his powers? Tane straightened. That was foolish. Every second in her proximity sent blood pounding through him, all aimed for one region: his groin. He immediately crouched back down again. Modified his voice. Tried speaking in a softer tone. It wasn’t successful. His question sounded like another command.

  “Why not?”

  “Because this feels a lot safer to me.”

  “You do not feel safe?” He was surprised. His voice reflected it.

  “I know. Hard to believe.”

  “Yes. It is,” he agreed.

  She looked up and regarded him for several moments. Tane instantly felt a rush of goose bumps all along his skin. He couldn’t tell her exact eye color, but they were dark. He tried to lock glances with her. To mesmerize. It didn’t work, either.

  “Are you for real?” she finally asked him.

  “Yes.”

  She snorted. “Okay. I’ll try another angle. Sounds like I’ll need to be...a bit blunter than my usual. And I’ll use smaller words.”

  She was trying to be insulting. Raise his ire. That was not remotely near what he wanted. Needed. Craved. Tane’s canine teeth tingled warningly, however.

  “So. I’ll start. Why am I here?”

  “I brought you.”

  She sighed heavily. It wasn’t only audible, but her head moved, and the netting bobbed with it. Tane almost smiled again.

  “You’re an ‘absolute’ kind of guy, aren’t you?”

  He didn’t know what to answer, so he settled for a grunt.

  “That means you like absolutes. Nothing hidden beneath the surface...”

  She had no idea how accurate that statement was at the moment. Tane couldn’t prevent the smile. He looked down for a moment while she continued.

  “...can handle that. It makes things easier. So. We’ll deal in the facts. I’m definitely here because you brought me. That is true.”

  Tane looked back up at her. Directly at her. “Yes.”

  “And that means you want something from me. Am I right?”

  “Yes,” he replied again.

  “Well? What is it?”

  “I want...your netting...off.” He spaced the words subconsciously. The last word was hissed. It came through set teeth. Even to his ears, he sounded threatening. This was not going well.

  “If I decline?”

  “What if I say ‘please’?” he offered.

  She snorted as if he’d said something amusing. He didn’t respond although everything in his frame gave a distinct twitch of irritation.

  “Look. Tane. Let’s get past the stupid net already.”

  “You’ll take it off?”

  He got another heavy sigh from her. She was mystifying. And that was starting to frustrate.

  “Nope.”

  Tane growled. He couldn’t help it. He remained crouched down, as though coiled and ready to spring. Every muscle was wrenched to tightness. He’d done it to prevent movement. He’d locked his jaw against fang growth. And now he was breathing hard. His chest lifted and fell with each one. He probably looked as bestial as he felt. She couldn’t fail to notice.

  “Well. That response? Right there. Is exactly why I don’t feel safe,” she finally replied.

  Tane slapped his fists to his chest, shoved his head back, and roared the reaction at the ceiling. The sound reverberated like a pressure wave. The rushes that formed his ceiling rustled. Timbers all about them rattled. The water in his clamshell basin even sounded like it had become a stream before settling back to trickling. She hadn’t moved when he’d finished although she’d pulled something metallic and sharp from her chest band. He recognized it.

  She was preparing to use her knives?

  Against him?

  Her mate?

  “I’m not real good with...non-verbal communication, Tane. You want to put that in words?” she asked next.

  No.

  He didn’t.

  Tane lifted his chin to glare at a ceiling joist above her head. A red glaze had attached itself to his vision. It intensified with every heartbeat. And then it grew hot. He’d never been so close to completely losing control. Ever.

  But he’d never faced anything this immense.

  She was maybe four feet away from him. Within easy grabbing distance. The netting about her would be a minor obstacle. The knives she threatened him with, even less. He could force her. Satisfy the need that was al
ready massive, and just kept growing. It was at a crushing level. Devastating. Almost overpowering.

  But he wanted her willing.

  Loving.

  Open.

  Her cavern moist and warm...

  Tane slammed his eyes shut, and fought the instant images as well as the fire of desire that shot through him. The need to mate with her was powerful. He needed to be more so. He yanked every cell in his body tight. Demanded submission. Control. He shook with the effort. The floor shuddered beneath them in concert.

  “T-T-Tane?”

  She stuttered on his name. He heard the fear in her voice. Both sent a cooling sensation, like a sprinkling of drops from his shower. It wasn’t much. A bit of wet against a bonfire. But it helped. Tane’s canines started to recede. He licked his lips, watched the red haze soften to pink. And then he lowered his chin to face her again.

  CHAPTER THREE

  She needed to do something drastic. Kat knew she was female, but she’d never experienced this kind of reaction to a man. Her hormones were on hyper-sensitivity mode or something. She was feeling sensations she didn’t dare examine. She was alert, aware, and totally receptive.

  Oh. Heavens.

  She was getting turned on?

  She needed to take a huge mental step back. List potential strategies. Work through them, eliminating and modifying as needed. And it shouldn’t be that damned difficult. She’d already noted his handsomeness, but she’d been around beautiful men before. She’d dated some. Looking at a handsome man used to tie her tongue and render her witless. She’d found out how narcissistic it made some guys. She’d been disillusioned. Then cured. Most super-good-looking men took way too much time to groom, they worried almost incessantly about every aspect of their appearance, and they had a limited conversation range that mainly revolved around them. She’d felt like a minion. They needed someone to bestow constant attention and that had decided her. Handsome men were high maintenance. Some other woman could have them.

  She’d also been exposed to sexy men. Her social network feed was filled with them. Advertisers knew to put lots of skin on display. They usually possessed washboard abs. Large biceps. Defined obliques that led down to hidden things. The models knew their stuff, too. They could portray looks that sizzled.