Claimed

by Rebecca Zanetti

  “Right. About a virus most humans have never heard of. You’re staying with us, love.” His gaze narrowed on her. “Are you all right? I mean, does the mark hurt?”

  She pushed appreciation for his concern out of her heart. “No. My shoulder burns and bubbles are popping in my veins as my physiology alters.” As she changed from human to immortal. The urge to study her own blood tempted her to make use of the vampire’s laboratory. “So far the process isn’t painful.”

  His gaze cleared. “Good. If it becomes so, we do have dampening pills—though they’re usually taken before the marking.”

  “Dampening pills?” She frowned, her mind reeling.

  “Yes, ah”—he cleared his throat—“sometimes the marking is a bit intense, and since many of our unions are prearranged, we have pills to counter the effect.” He grinned. “I assume it’s like drinking a bottle of malted scotch—kind of eases the experience the first time, though I believe it also has a pain inhibitor as a key ingredient.”

  She may be pissed from being branded, but she’d never have wanted to be numb and miss out on the excellent sex she’d just had. “I’ll keep that in mind if my shoulder begins to really hurt.”

  “Excellent. I’m truly not sure how long the process takes.” He leaned over and yanked open a drawer, his hand emerging with an intricate gold cuff.

  “That looks like the cuff Cara wore on her arm last night.”

  Dage grinned. “It’s very similar. Our mother had them created by an alchemist to keep track of us.” He extended the jewelry toward her. “Only a member of the Kayrs family can keep this on. You’ll wear it now.”

  Emma took a step back. “No.” This was temporary.

  The door burst open and Dage dropped into a fighting stance, shielding Emma. He slowly straightened. “Jase?”

  The youngest brother gulped in air, his eyes a wild copper. “Cara’s ill. Talen sent me.”

  Emma broke into a run several steps behind the men as they ran toward Talen’s suite. Her bare feet burned across the hotel carpet and her stomach pitched. Nothing could be wrong with Cara. Her sister was safe surrounded by deadly vampires who’d give their lives for her. But what about the baby?

  There had been so much stress, so much danger lately. Maybe Cara was too worn down. Damn it. Emma should’ve made her stay in bed and not go to the ball last night. What was she thinking?

  Fury and fear not her own whipped into her from the king as he cleared the path. It was weird to feel his feelings. They passed vampires standing guard every few yards as well as hotel tables overflowing with flowered lilies. The sweet smell nearly made her gag.

  Dage threw open the door to find Talen holding the doctor by the neck at least three feet off the ground, clunking his head against the bedroom door frame. “What do you mean you don’t know?” Talen growled, his face an inch from the doctor’s rapidly reddening one.

  “Talen, damn it, put him down,” Cara hissed from the bedroom.

  The doctor’s thick eyeglasses went askew, giving him a cartoon-like appearance. “I’ll figure this out, I will.”

  Talen dropped the doctor.

  The man quickly sidled toward the hallway and glanced at Dage. “We’ve taken blood, your majesty.”

  “What’s your best hypothesis?” Dage asked, his gaze hard on the doctor.

  The doctor shrugged. “A pregnancy this early in the mating process is unheard of, sir. I just don’t know, though there are indications this could be viral.”

  Fear exploded in Emma’s gut. No way. It was just morning sickness. She ran for the bedroom, pushing open the door and running smack into another man in a white coat. Lab technician or additional doctor? Talen smashed into her from behind and for a moment she was sandwiched between both men. She scooted to freedom and reached for Cara’s hand, then sat on the bed.

  Cara had paled until even her lips lacked color while a fine dot of perspiration lined her brow. Tears filled her eyes. “The marking has faded. Almost completely.” The low whispered pain in her voice caused Emma’s eyes to instantly fill. “I feel ... different.”

  Shit. Emma turned toward the second man and nearly knocked over the pot of bright geraniums on the bed table. “How long will it take to test her blood for the virus?”

  He patted his bag. “We have a plane waiting to send the sample to Kane.” His concerned brown eyes cut to Talen and he inched his way past the furious vampire toward the door.

  Emma’s gaze met Dage’s. “We need a lab. Here. Now.”

  He nodded and grabbed a cell phone out of his pocket. Barking orders, he stalked out of the room.

  Emma brushed Cara’s hair back from her face. “You’ll be okay, Car. I promise. I’ll fix this.”

  A slow tear wound its way down Cara’s pale face and her golden cuff fell off her arm to rest on the bedspread. Her eyes widened. “Em, you can’t fix everything.” She bit back a sob. “What will the virus do to the baby?”

  Talen growled low and sprawled on the bed, pulling Cara into his arms, where she began to cry softly. “We don’t know it’s the virus, mate. It could just be a difficult pregnancy.” His eyes held a dangerous hue that glittered with frustration. This was an enemy he couldn’t fight.

  Emma fought her own sob. She had to think. Cara’s marking had faded—it had to be the virus. Not a time for emotion. She was a geneticist. “The baby’s strong, as are you. We’ll fix this.”

  The carpet sank under her bare feet when she dodged into the other room where Dage growled into his phone. “Tell Kane we’ll land in two hours. And get the blood work on Maggie from last month, as well as all current data.” He slapped the cell shut, pivoting toward her, anger bracketing the lines near his mouth. “How is she?”

  Emma shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  Dage turned toward Jase, whose large body hovered by the door. “Find Conn. You two discover how the Kurjans could’ve infected her, if this is the virus.” He shifted his attention to Emma. “We’re leaving for Colorado in fifteen minutes—go pack.”

  “Colorado?” Emma’s mind spun.

  “Yes. Kane has had men building a state of the art research facility on the outskirts of Boulder. He’s been flying most of the day from Europe to get here—I just had him diverted to Colorado. He’ll beat us there by minutes.” Dage lifted her chin, his gaze searching. “How are you feeling?”

  “Me?” Emma frowned. “Why?”

  “Because you’ve been with your sister the entire time you’ve been here. If she was infected ...”

  Emma’s stomach swirled. “I don’t know. I feel nauseous, but that could be fear.” Damn.

  Dage’s jaw clenched shut before he gave her a gentle push toward the door. “Find Janie and pack for both of you. I need to talk to Talen.”

  Emma turned on her heel toward the door and a blinding flash filled her skull. Pain radiated out her ears. She moaned, swaying in her bare feet. Both hands pressed into her temples to keep her brain from oozing out. Darkness wavered over her eyes, and she began to drop into nothingness.

  Strong arms caught her, pausing for a moment before lifting her into the air. A hard chest cradled her face and she centered herself with the rhythm of an ancient heartbeat. Dage. He tucked his chin around her head, drawing her nearer, protecting her from the world, his body rigid, his breathing even.

  Sure movements had her on the couch, the king kneeling next to her, still shielding. “Love? Let me recall the doctors.”

  She opened her eyes. Her vision cleared and pools of concerned silver met her gaze. “Ouch.”

  Dage frowned. “I’ll be right back.”

  “No.” She tried to sit up, but one large hand pressed against her shoulder and kept her in place. “I’m all right. I had a vision.”

  He lifted his eyebrows. “Does this happen every time you have a vision?”

  Hell no. She shook her head and winced as pain fired from her neurons. “No. Usually I only have visions while dreaming. Never when I’m awake. Why now?”
She put a hand to her still aching temple.

  Sandalwood and spice tickled her nose when the king leaned back on his haunches, thoughts scattering across his face. Finally, he sighed. “The marking. Your abilities have increased, melded with mine, and you’re not used to the power. Your gift will someday develop to match mine.” He brushed a curl off her cheek. “I’ll help you control the ability so it doesn’t hurt.”

  Freakin’ terrific. She had a brand on her shoulder, could feel what he felt, and would now get visions that made her want to cut off her head. “This is just great.”

  He grinned, reaching out to knead her shoulders. “It’ll be okay, I promise. What did you see in your vision?”

  “Katie. Frightened and running alone through an alley in some type of city.” Emma bit her lip, her gaze on Talen as he entered the room. “I couldn’t recognize any of the buildings.”

  Dage helped her to a seated position.

  Talen tapped the communicator at his ear. “Find Jordan Pride.” Golden eyes shifted to pin Emma. “Any idea the time of year?”

  Emma shrugged. “Light rain was falling, and there was no snow or ice on the ground.” She needed more information.

  Dage tugged her to her feet. “We’ll figure this out, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”

  “I know. I’ll have the vision again. Hopefully next time I’ll get more details.” Emma glanced toward the bedroom.

  Talen followed her gaze. “Cara fell asleep. Do we have a lab set up?”

  Dage shook his head. “We need to fly to Colorado—Kane’s lab is the best we’ve got. The best there is.”

  “Is it ready?” Talen asked.

  “The facility is almost ready. But we still have humans there.”

  “They’ll just have to stay out of our way,” Talen said, a grim set to his jaw. “I want the jet—Cara can sleep in the small bedroom.”

  Dage nodded. “I’m leaving Conn and Jase here to finish running the colloquium with Terent. The rest of us will leave in ten minutes.” He clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Your mate will be all right, Talen.”

  Talen’s eyes flashed a hellish fire. “She damn well better be. Or the Kurjan nation will cease to exist.”

  Several rooms down, Katie paced by the window, using every ounce of willpower she had to force nausea down. Now she had the freakin’ flu. Wasn’t it bad enough to watch Jordan play the diplomat yesterday and flirt with that fucking witch from the big apple? No wonder Katie had been puking for hours.

  She hated the flu. Spasms ripped through her stomach and she clutched her ribs, biting her lip to keep from crying out. She needed to shift. She’d heal faster in animal form.

  Groaning, she glanced around the room. She’d probably bust up some of the furniture with the energy released during the shift, but at least no one would get hurt.

  Her bathrobe swished to the carpet before she dropped to the floor. Pain sparked through her skin. Damn, she was sick. She straightened her hands, searching for her other half—for the animal inside.

  She sought the connection to the wild, the amazing energy bubbling beneath her skin to allow her a primitive release into true nature. She searched for the feeling of freedom as muscles tightened, focus centered, and humanity fell to the side. She awaited the sense of being one with the earth and her creatures, a lost binding she mourned when in human form. She delved deep, and ...

  Nothing.

  Odd. She hadn’t had to concentrate to shift into a lioness in, well, forever. A buzzing set up between her ears and she shook her head to dispel it. Then she slowed her breathing, focused and ...

  Nothing.

  Panic blasted through her system, heating her blood. She couldn’t shift. She tried again. Only pain met her attempt. Yanking on her bathrobe, she ran to the door, tripping over the belt in her haste. The carpet burned her knees when she fell.

  Sobbing, she scrambled to her feet to throw open the door and run down the hall to Cara’s room. She stumbled inside, relieved to see Jordan standing with Dage and Talen.

  Jordan rushed toward her, his tawny eyes alight with concern. “Katie?”

  She tripped into his arms, her breath coming in short bursts, words tripping over themselves.

  He gave her a slight shake. “Slow down. I can’t understand you.”

  She sucked in air, gulped down the pain, and met his gaze. “I can’t shift.” The buzzing exploded into stars and she fell into the comfort of blackness.

  Chapter 8

  Emma clasped her bag to her chest while leading Janie across the rough asphalt. The scent of night jasmine wafted on a slight breeze. They’d made haste driving in dark SUVs to the private airport, and she was sure she’d forgotten more than one pair of shoes back at the hotel. Dage assured her his men would go through all the rooms to double check.

  A dark rumble of clouds toppled across the dusky sky and the wind bit her skin. She shivered, tugging Janie into a jog across the tarmac where the silver jet waited at the end, engines running. For some reason she felt like a thief scurrying away to safety. Displeasure rumbled toward her from Dage as he ran on her right. The king wanted to stay and fight and only made this move to protect her. Damn but being the king must suck sometimes.

  Her ears began to ring. How in the hell had she gotten caught up in this war? She was a geneticist. Cara studied plants. Janie should be in bed early so she could go to preschool tomorrow. While Emma’s world had never seemed safe, at least she’d understood the rules. Vampires and shifters were supposed to be make-believe. Not real.

  Talen jogged ahead of her with Cara in his arms, Jordan carried Katie, while Max hurried along next to them. Kate had yet to regain consciousness, and the fierce curling of Jordan’s lip bespoke pain for whoever had infected the lioness.

  Several vampire and shifter soldiers surrounded the group.

  It had been less than twenty minutes since Katie had shown up with her announcement. Emma’s mind spun. Cara and Katie drank tea instead of champagne last night. Jesus. Was it that easy to get to them?

  Dage kept up his pace next to her. “Can a virus be taken orally?”

  Emma’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes. Easily. In fact, many of the new cancer treatments involve drinking a virus that’ll mutate cancer cells.” It had always stunned her that there were people with scientific knowledge who would use the information as a way to harm. Science helped humans survive—to triumph over death—not act as foot soldiers for the grim reaper.

  “Damn it.” Dage tapped his earpiece. “Leave word for Kane that he might have three subjects, Cara, Katie, and Maggie. Maggie will arrive at the facility shortly.” A raw rumble of anger rode his words, a cold plan to get Emma to safety so he could fight. While he may be king, Emma could hear the soldier’s need to draw blood in his deep tone. She wondered how often he tamped down his nature to fulfill his duties as king.

  “Good. I need to conduct research on Maggie’s blood.” Emma breathed deep. Would the wolf shifter’s DNA resemble a human’s?

  “I’ll double-check her arrival time.” Dage had no sooner retapped his earpiece than a burst of green light rocked into his leg, dropping him to the ground.

  “Dage!” Emma screamed, halting and turning toward him. Ozone and blood scented the air. Several more bursts of light filled the night, and the soldiers around them scrambled into position.

  Dage yanked her and Janie to the ground, shielding them behind his broad back as he shifted and returned fire. Emma rolled over Janie, covering the child with her body. Something banged into her shoulder and she fought a groan.

  The scent of burned ozone filled her nostrils. Asphalt scraped her flesh as she cuddled Janie’s head into her chest. Oh God. How could she keep her niece safe? How badly hurt was Dage? The child’s fear made her tremble against the pavement, while Dage’s rage popped the air around them.

  The bursts of light came from the top of a hanger to the left, and the soldiers around them began to return fire. Green lasers ripped through the air with dead
ly force to bounce off buildings and shatter windows. Once in awhile a grunt of pain echoed from the men surrounding her and from the ones on the roof of a building trying to end her life.

  Dage cursed low, and pain radiated toward her. He’d been hit again.

  Emma tightened her hold on Janie, trusting the trained warriors to keep them safe. Helplessness shot through her, and she flashed back to childhood when there were no warriors to protect her. She needed to fight—to protect Janie. She lifted her head.

  “Stay down,” Dage ordered, flipping around, one broad hand cupping her head and forcing her down. She struggled for a moment, then stopped, reality filtering in.

  The jet engaged and slid into position between them and the shooters. Loud pops rent the air as bullets tore into its side.

  Strong hands ripped Janie away from Emma and she yelled, struggling until she realized Max had lifted Janie and jumped inside the craft. Dage picked Emma up and followed, setting her down in a plush seat, yanking the shifters inside, then bellowing furious orders for the soldiers to find the shooters and keep them alive if possible.

  He shut the hatch and the jet turned before increasing speed and lifting into the air.

  So much for visions. Emma hadn’t seen the attack coming. Fear had her head spinning until she glanced at Janie across the aisle. “Janie!” Jumping out of her chair, Emma tugged on the little girl’s sleeve. Blood welled between a large tear in the pink material. “Janie. Oh God.” Emma began to breathe heavily. Wide blue eyes filled with tears and met hers. She lifted her head to Dage. “She’s been shot.”

  Shock crossed his face chased by absolute fury. He gently pushed Emma out of the way and ripped Janie’s sleeve off. He wiped her arm with the softest of touches, somehow catching Cara with one arm as she rushed for her child. “She’s okay, Cara. The bullet merely burned her.”

  Crying, Cara ran her hands over Janie’s tearful face.

  “I’m okay, Mama.” The four-year-old wiped away tears. “But my arm hurts.”

  Jordan threw a first aid kit at Talen, who caught it and dropped to his haunches. “Hey there, little one. We should put a bandage on that, huh?”