Blood & Roses: Warriors of the Krieger

by Theresa Hissong

  “Stop!” I yelled, finally realizing I wasn’t being attacked. Brady had just gotten carried away with the excitement of being a donor. I took a few deep breaths, calming myself.

  Afraid, Dragus would kill him; I jumped up and tried to get between them. “Dragus! Let him go!” Thank God Dragus listened, but boy was he mad. His eyes turned completely red, no whites to be seen. His upper lip pulled back over fangs that glistened in the lamp light. A feral snarl bubbled up his throat and rolled out causing his upper lip to vibrate. I have never in my existence seen a vampire that mad. It frightened me.

  “Nachtmann Brady Wilson. You have broken the vow of your contract. Therefore, your employment is hereby terminated!” The growl that followed his words vibrated the walls in my house. I took a step back away from the two men, because I didn’t know what Dragus was planning to do next. Thankfully, I felt the room calm slightly just as he released his hold on Brady’s neck.

  Dragus held out his hand for the Nachtmann’s badge and identification card. Brady slapped the cards into his palm and left; never apologizing or denying any wrong doing.

  Dragus turned to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Are you okay, mi amado?” He carefully examined my wrist to look for any bruising. Of course, there was some. With the amount of pressure Brady used to hold on to me, I’m surprised it didn’t look worse. Yes, we still bruise. We have blood running through our body. So, just like a human, any trauma will leave a mark.

  I couldn’t keep from jerking my wrist out of his grasp. It was something I did involuntary. It doesn’t bother me to get intimate with a man, but when someone grabs my wrists, I panic. Dragus narrowed his eyes at my wrists and then he looked at me puzzled.

  A moment of comprehension flickered in his eyes and then died out. Lydia and I agreed that my assault the night I was changed was not to be discussed. For that, we omitted the information on the citizen form about me. Dragus would never know, unless I told him, the exact reason for my change. From the look I got from Dragus, I think he may have just figured it out.

  “Honestly?” I asked, taking a few steps back, obviously uncomfortable. He nodded, urging me to continue. “I’m freaking starving and you just dismissed my meal!” Granted I was thankful for his interference, but I was a little annoyed that I didn’t get to finish my breakfast. I bet I only got half a cup, instead of my usual two. I huffed and folded my arms across my chest, like a big ole baby.

  “Come take my neck, my lady,” he whispered. Oh, temper tantrum gone! I sidled my way over to him and buried myself against his chest. For some reason, I felt totally comfortable with Dragus.

  “You’re not planning on getting all handsy,” I teased, trying to make light of the situation. Secretly hoping he would. I trusted him enough, that I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.

  “Only if my lady requests,” he laughed unsteadily, then took a seat in the recliner. I reached for the stool that was tipped over on its side and gasped when big strong hands wrapped around my waist. “Sit here, Charity.” Dragus pulled me toward him. I plopped down like a kid on Santa’s lap.

  I noticed his hair was not pulled back in his usually ponytail and frowned, “Tonight is your night off. What are you doing here?”

  “I promised I would be here for your meeting with Adam,” he shrugged. “Now take my blood.” He pressed his football size hand against my back, urging me toward his neck.

  I took it with no other protest. When I pushed his hair aside, I noticed how soft it was, like silk. I had to bite my lip to keep from moaning aloud. The moment I pierced his skin, the taste of strength flooded my mouth. He smelled musky and sweet; they complimented each other perfectly.

  “You smell delicious,” he whispered. “Like the purest blood and sweetest roses.” I purred as he slowly rubbed his hand up and down my back. Then just like a connoisseur I slowed down to enjoy the flavor. This was something I did unconsciously. There was an involuntary twinge that pulsed between my legs.

  “Charity,” he whispered. “That’s enough, mi amado.” Dragus tugged on my chin, to break the connection my fangs had on his vein. and I reluctantly pulled away, but not before I washed my tongue, a little too provocatively over the two trickles of blood that oozed from his neck.

  “Thank you,” I sighed, taking my gaze off of his luscious neck to look into his eyes. He captured my face in his hand and brushed our lips together. Once, twice, three times he pressed his to mine. I reached under his shirt and traced the planes on his chest, he shivered. His hand slid up the back of my shirt and wrapped around my neck. A deep rumble resonated from his chest as he moved his face to nuzzle himself into the spot just above my collarbone. I shifted and straddled his lap. “Take my vein,” I breathed into his ear.

  He didn’t deny his desire when he sank his fangs deep into my exposed neck. I shrieked, not from pain, but from the tingling between my legs. I was instantly wet and craved his touch. Dragus’ humongous hand slid up the front of my shirt and under my bra. He caressed the side of my breast, and then angrily rolled its peak between his fingers. My response was to push myself down further onto his lap, and I felt his hardness jump when our spots met. With one hand on my breast, Dragus took his other one and massaged the top of my thigh. I groaned in response.

  A resounding knock brought us out of our ecstasy. Fist pounding on my front door had me trying to scramble to get off of Dragus’ lap. A deep primal growl escaped his chest as he tightened his hold on me, keeping me in place to finish his feeding. The animalistic urge to protect his prey had been ignited in Dragus. I secretly hoped that whoever was outside didn’t take this moment to walk inside my house. Interrupting a feeding vampire could cause you to be severely hurt.

  Especially from a warrior who was feeding from his mate. Mate? Why did I think that? We’re not mates. I mentally shook myself, clearing that thought right out of my head. I couldn’t think of that now. The knocking continued.

  I wasn’t going anywhere, so I did the only thing I could think of. “Just a minute, please.” I announced. Dragus chuckled then released me from his hold. He washed his tongue over my wound; I shivered with pleasure. He kissed me gently, set me aside like a loaf of bread (yeah, he’s that strong) and answered the door.

  Bastian and Powle stood at the door in all their twin beauty. Yes, they were beautiful. I never noticed the night they had come to my club. Their light brown hair glistened in the porch light, like spun gold, with eyes to match. They have the exact same sharp jaw line. A sharp angled set to their eyes made their stare dangerous but erotic. Although they were standard vampire pale, their skin looked slightly tan. The only difference, Powle has a small freckle at the corner of his mouth. Someone cleared their throat and I snapped out of my assessment.

  “Bastian and Powle please enter my home,” I asked politely. Vampires have to be invited in, just like the old myths. Well, they weren’t myths anymore. Were they?

  The twins stepped forward through the threshold and made themselves at home in my living room. Dragus sat in my beige overstuffed recliner and the twins took my matching couch. I took the arm of the recliner next to Dragus. He placed one hand on my knee, as a possessive gesture. I turned to him and smiled. Did this mean we were dating?

  Dragus cleared his throat and turned toward the twins, “Here is the plan for tonight. We need to be posted at certain points on the property. It is very important that we stay hidden until Adam Castillo is in view, where he can be taken.”

  “We will hold off the Lycanthropes until you have captured the hybrid,” Bastian paused. “Or do you plan for us to ambush all of them at the same time?”

  I stopped them when they starting talking about their plans to ambush Adam tonight when he came out of the woods. “Oh, no you don’t. I promised him I wouldn’t tell you. You can’t be there. I have to do this on my own.”

  “Ms. Harwood,” Powle straightened his pose. “It’s not safe for you to be alone with the Lycanthropes.” His voice was kind and pleading. They were obviously look
ing out for my best interest. I didn’t care. I promised Adam and it was a promise I intended to keep.

  “They won’t hurt me,” I whispered.

  “Do you really think we would allow you to be put in a situation where you could be hurt?” Dragus’ voice thundered through the room. Anytime my safety was questioned, his voice would do that. I think he was a little smitten with me. Well, I was getting a little smitten myself.

  Powle stood up off the couch and placed a reassuring hand on Dragus’ shoulder and then Bastian turned toward me. His beautiful face had turned angry and it down right scared me. “Do you want to go through that suffering? Like what Adam is going through now,” his fists clenched as he leaned closer to me, but not too close.

  Before I could flinch, Dragus had used his vampire speed to pull me on the other side of him and in one swift move was standing in front of his warrior brother. He gave Bastian a warning growl. “Outside!” Good thing Bastian was a smart man, because he quickly stepped out of arms reach from Dragus and turned for the door; Powle directly on their heels.

  Well, that was just awkward. Krieger are closer than brothers. I have never seen one act that way. I’ll admit Dragus standing up for me was quite sexy. That just added to my obsessive male theory.

  I glanced at the clock above the brand new, stainless steel stove that I have never used, and noticed I still had two hours before I was to meet with Adam at the tree line. From what I could hear with my wicked cool vampire hearing, Dragus was ripping Bastian a new one outside in the driveway.

  The whole situation between me and Dragus was always in the back of my head. Did he know about the dream? Was he able to intrude into my dreams when I was human? Is this why he was so protective? Hell, I’ve only known him a little while. Maybe I’m crazy, or maybe I’m hopeful. I didn’t know how to even start the conversation with him. What do I say? ‘Hey did you know that I use to dream about you when I was human?’ That’s not something you just blurt out when the other party least expects it.

  When we were alone, the warrior bravado washed away leaving behind a kind hearted soul. This only added to the confusion my head was feeling, but my heart was urging me to move forward. Could this be because Lydia was right? Was I Dragus’ perfect mate? I don’t know, but I do know that he made my body ache for him.

  It’s been awhile, okay. No one can blame me for having entertained the thought of getting busy with the warrior. He’s handsome and strong and he tasted just as good as he smelled. When we shared that moment earlier, I felt comfort. It’s very hard to explain, but I felt whole. There was warmth there; I could trust him.

  I was jerked away from my thoughts by the strike of telepathy reaching for my brain. The pull was so unbelievably strong; I found my feet moving without consciously doing it.

  Charity, growled Adam. He forced my brain into a dreamlike state. My body was not my own now. This was not good at all. I had no control over what he was doing to me. Only an extremely powerful telepath could sink into the deepest parts of someone’s brain to control their movements. I reached for the knob to the back door and stepped out; off the porch and into the grass. Within a few seconds, I was standing two feet from the edge of the tree line.

  “Why are the Krieger here?” Adam whispered. “You promised.” His voice was filled with sadness and I tried to calm him mentally, but he was too angry.

  “I had to tell them, I had no other choice. They want to help you. Please, Adam, they know more than I do. Let them take you to the doctors,” I begged.

  “No!” he shouted. Oh boy did he shout. The sound bounced off every surface; the trees, the rocks, the house.

  Although my body was frozen in his grasp, thankfully I could still move my eyes. There were fifteen pairs of glowing yellow eyes emerging from the forest behind my home. Panic rushed like ice water through my veins.

  I knew that as soon as Dragus and the others walked into my house they would know something was wrong. I was banking on having them there for backup when Adam arrived, but just out of view. I wanted to talk to him calmly and explain that we would look for help. Obviously, Adam had been watching my house for some time looking for trouble.

  “You’re right,” he barked, reading my thoughts. “I wasn’t sure I could trust you. Now I know that I cannot!” I heard growling erupt all around me. The Lycans leaned forward as if they were about to attack. The one sound that echoed the loudest was from Dragus.

  “Release her!” Dragus’ voice thundered from behind me. In front, the Lycanthropes emerged slowly from the shadows of the forest. The werewolves froze just as their muzzles showed in the moonlight. A deep rumbling growl rolled down the line of Lycans standing behind Adam. I couldn’t tell if they were sizing up the Krieger or if they were being held back by him, waiting for his order to attack.

  “I can make them stay, or I can make them attack,” he warned. “Back away Krieger or she will be ours.” Oh crap! I wanted to run and run fast. Faster than I have ever run in my existence, but my muscles were locked in place, held by Adam’s mind. He imprisoned me where I stood. I couldn’t turn my head to see where the warriors were. This scared me more because I knew I was in the middle of a stand-off with no way to run.

  Panic made my chest feel tight. Like a herd of elephants had decided to stand on top of me. I felt my body trembling where I stood. Clamping down on my mind, I tried to disconnect from Adam, but there was no way to break the connection.

  Instead, I started to cry. My usual reaction to stress was to get angry, but not tonight. Add stress to being terrified and this is what happens. Thank God, that my eyes were still my own. The blood stained tears spilled out over my cheeks and rolled down my neck. I heard Dragus gasp.

  “Mi amado? Are you okay?” His voice cracked as he spoke. I heard movement behind me and wondered who it was, but I assumed it was Dragus. The heavy footsteps coming up behind me were like the sound of a jailer coming with the keys to set the prisoner free. My freedom was only steps away but there was no way to release me.

  “Come any closer and I will release the wolves,” Adam threatened.

  “I…I’m okay Dragus. Just step back, let me talk to him,” I continued to cry. “I’m not hurt, I just can’t move and I’m…scared.” I didn’t say it, but I couldn’t break the connection either.

  Dragus released one hell of a warning growl, “Let her go! You’re scaring her. Adam, please! We want to help you find a cure, but you need to release Charity. Holding her, does not help your case.”

  “She is the only one who can help me. You want to stake me! Go away, Krieger.” Adam was angry and it was getting worse by the second. His yellow eyes filled with blood as his anger boiled. One side of his lip pulled back, exposing a fang that was covered with what looked like foam. I shivered thinking that he may be rabid. Adam sunk down into a defensive pose as if he was about to attack. If I couldn’t get through to him now, this might be the last chance I have.

  “Dragus…Please let me talk to him,” I begged. It was then I noticed the largest of the Lycanthropes had pushed closer to Adam. The gray furred beast was easily twice the size of the others. His wet muzzle tilted up in the air and took a deep breath, obviously taking in the scent of the vampires standing in front of him. My only thought was that he was taking our scent so he could find us later. This gave me another reason to be scared. That fear turned into more tears. I tried to slump down on my knees. Because of Adam’s hold on me, only my knees buckled, but I remained standing upright.

  Dragus gasped from behind me, “Charity!” His voice strained and his words were broken. Suddenly, I could not respond to him. Adam had taken my voice away from me, so that I couldn’t communicate with Dragus. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound escaped. My hand automatically tried to reach for my throat, but then I remembered I couldn’t move.

  The only noise coming from me was a strange gasping sound out of my chest. What little breathing I did make, had turned into a gurgling pant. The tears turned into a waterfall down my ch
eeks. I felt the wetness where the tears had soaked into the collar of my shirt. I tasted my bloody tears on my lips.

  A shot of pain attacked Adam’s changing body and because our minds were connected, I got a large dose of the burning, crushing pain. His control on my body broke when we both collapsed to our knees, grasping the sides of our heads. Our minds remained connected through the telepathy. The pain was worse than burning, worse than breaking bones, worse than…

  I didn’t have time to think before I was snatched up off the ground, then I was flying. My body landed on my back porch, which was made of wood. I was thankful that the metal table broke my fall...or, more like I broke the metal table when I fell; doesn’t matter really, because I was laying there like a big ass shish kabob.

  You know how the saying goes; you don’t know you’re hurt until you look at your wounds? Well, yeah, that’s me! I hurt badly, but I didn’t start screaming until I looked down at my mangled body. One table leg pierced through my thigh, straight up through the bone. The other was sticking out of my chest, about three inches below my heart, through the bottom of my lung. Again, I was thankful that the table had broken my fall.

  No one came to my rescue, because my screams were drowned out by the sound of gunshots. Where was everyone? I glanced to my left and watched as the Krieger went hand to hand with the Lycans. Three Krieger against fifteen Lycanthropes did not look promising.

  Adam stood amongst the werewolves, directing them to attack. A few Lycans had made a circle around him, protecting him. Powle immediately shot two Lycans in the heart with silver bullets and they dropped to his feet. Dragus looked like he was stalking the largest one, in sort of a dance; slow and precise. His eyes were trained on it, like a hunter on his prey. The huge Lycan lunged just as Dragus unsheathed a half-sword that I never knew he carried, and sliced into its throat. Black blood spout from its neck and the mongrel dropped to his death.

  To my right, I saw reinforcements and sighed. Things were evened up now. Twelve warriors ran up from the side of my house and jumped into the brawl without hesitation. Rowland roared as he grabbed one of them and using his brute strength ripped the things head off like it was nothing. Gross!