Talon

by Alice Wade

  “We’re coming to you,” she yelled through the darkness.

  He waited and the cloud began to dissipate. The highest part blew away first, opening up to a clear blue sky. Dace frowned. The top of the dungeon wall should be blocking that out, but it wasn’t there. He saw only sky. The cloud continued to fade, opening up a new view to his eyes. In the area that was once the castle dungeon, there remained a massive pile of rubble. The debris didn’t extend beyond the boundary of the original building and of the rubble filled the four levels of empty space below. His deep breath brought on a cough, but he couldn’t stop staring at the scale of destruction before him. This was a massive building and now it lay in a pile of rocks.

  He turned and looked at the man who was responsible and wasn’t sure if he was impressed or terrified. Talon leaned against Kailani and staggered towards where he still sat with Lainey in his lap.

  “How did you do this?” Dace’s voice was filled with awe.

  Talon hung his head chucking, “How many times must we cover this? I’m an elf.”

  Dace brushed that comment off in challenge. “Why?” he choked.

  Talon sighed, “To stop the infestation that was about to unfold. In the lowest recess of that dungeon, Kaen had hundreds of newborn vampires. The way he converts leaves not much left in the form of humanity; he essentially created an army of killers. I ended that for him today.”

  Dace looked at the rock field that replaced the building and felt very weak, very impotent in the fight ahead.

  Chapter Four

  A tingling sensation annoyed Lainey and kept brushing against her mind. Try as she might, she could not ignore the insistent sensation nudging and teasing her awareness. She felt like a fish on a line, because each time she tried to fall back asleep, the sensation yanked her towards the surface that would be awareness.

  She fought it, but she knew she was losing this fight. The closer she got to the surface, the more she became acutely aware that this sensation also had a thick honey scent to it. It smelled like the sweetest thing she’d ever encountered, like candy she’d smelled at a faire. Unconsciously, her head turned toward the source while her mind still decided whether she was ready to wake up or not.

  * * * *

  After leading them to the renegade camp and placing Lainey in their bed, Dace couldn’t manage this conflict very well. It showed visibly now that they were within their home and she lay in their bed. He didn’t know if he could be there for her after she opened her eyes. But he couldn’t leave her. He knew he should abandon her to her fate, but a large part couldn’t do that. There was a spark of hope that this was the woman he loved. Moreover, she was now a vampire—a blood sucking, vile vampire. The very creature he’d grown up hating.

  Talon burst into the room where Dace lay with Lainey and looked down at the couple. “Dace, I think you should leave.”

  “Why?” He looked at Talon and dragged his eyes back at Lainey. He saw she was beginning to wake up. “Oh.”

  “Her thirst is going to be insatiable, so it will be best if you are not here to tempt her.” Talon maneuvered his height through the small shack. He stood with his back pressed against the wall to allow Dace a path to depart.

  Dace couldn’t help the frown that marred his youthful face for deep down inside, he knew exactly what Talon meant. The drinking of blood is what repulsed Dace and the mention of it now infuriated him further. The anger he felt earlier erupted to the surface and the woman he was angry at lay before him. He wanted to yell at her and scream until his voice was hoarse. She ruined their chance of happiness by disobeying him and now she was about to give him that chance.

  “Dace, just leave,” Talon said with a sigh. He had no patience for this right now.

  “Fine, I’m going.” He scrambled to his feet, pausing to stare at the elf. Outside the chaos of the evacuation was clearly heard. “How’s it going outside anyway?”

  Upon arriving back at his shantytown, the announcement was made that they needed to abandon it and move to a new location. The Dûr Falas knew of them now and would send men which meant the faster they got the hell out the better.

  Talon and Kailani offered to oversee the evacuation while he cared for his betrothed. That offer of help was what annoyed Talon at the moment. He had forgotten how much he hated dealing with opinionated humans.

  With a side-glance Dace caught the grimace on Talon’s face, “That bad?”

  “How do you deal with these people daily?” the elf asked through clenched teeth. “They’re awful!”

  The first laugh he’d issued since learning of Lainey’s capture burst from Dace’s mouth. “Ah, they aren’t so bad.”

  “I beg to differ,” suddenly his entire demeanor changed and he pointed at the door, “Out. Now. She’s waking.”

  He needed no further instruction and was out the door in one step.

  Kailani slipped in behind him and locked the door, turning to face Talon. “She’s awake?”

  “Well, more like waking. I didn’t want Dace in here considering she’s going to be hungry, not to mention I’m not quite confident in his reaction to her yet. I don’t want to do anything which upsets the delicate balance her mind is walking. I’m glad you’re here because she’s never seen me. The shock of a different male vampire may scare her. Your presence will soften the moment.”

  “Scare?” She raised an eyebrow, “You mean petrify her. You are intimating, love.”

  “Be nice,” he sighed, “I’m short on patience right now.” He anxiously rubbed the stubble on his chin before he found a spot to sit on the bed giving Kailani plenty of room with Lainey.

  “Lainey?” Her voice was hypnotic and soothing, calling the woman back to awareness while she stroked her cheek in a motherly fashion. “Come on Lainey, wake up now.”

  “Don’t want to,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible. “Don’t want to ever wake up.”

  “You have to, dear. You need to feed or the thirst you feel will become a maddening burn.”

  “Don’t want to deal with it,” her voice was weak and tentative, submissive almost.

  “Yes, you do. Dace is here and wants to see you, but we won’t let him. Not until you feed.”

  Lainey’s eyes shot open and met Kailani’s caring face inches from hers. Her eyes, which now were the color of new moss, stared at Kailani in horrified confusion. Lainey inhaled deeply and didn’t smell Kaen and with a frantic cursory glance around, she realized she was no longer in his room…or under his control.

  “Kailani? Where are we?” she asked.

  Lainey’s sight began to pick up on the familiar setting of her home, and she felt a wave of intense relief. Kailani hadn’t lied to her after all. She survived the conversion and she was home.

  Home. With Dace, she thought in a panic. She wasn’t ready to see him yet. Not after what she’d done in order to survive and in order to save his life. She needed time to figure out how to explain what had happened or how to say she was sorry.

  Lainey’s gaze returned to the vampire sitting next to her. Instead of the matted hair she recalled, Kailani’s long dark hair was brushed and neatly tied behind her ears. She’d brushed her bangs flat against her forehead accentuating the silver eyes that watched cautiously.

  Kailani looked up at Talon before she answered. “You’re free of Kaen and are home. You’re now under our protection, and I swear we won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe now. Kaen won’t hurt you ever again. You have a chance to be with Dace again, just like I promised.”

  “No. I don’t want to see him. He can’t see me like this.” Her voice thickened with emotion and her new eyes filled with tears. “He can’t know what has happened.”

  “He already knows and has already seen you.” Talon said and received a burning glare from his mate. Kai mentally berated at him for being callous a
nd lacking the whit to realize he should not be so blunt.

  “What?” Lainey finally realized there was a new being in the room. She pushed away from Kailani and pressed her back into the headboard. “W-who are you?”

  Kailani glared another warning at Talon to remain quiet. “Lainey, please meet my kind, wonderful if not always tactful mate.” The vampire being introduced tipped his head, pointed ears and all, greeting her with a half-smile.

  Lainey looked between the two with shock. This was too much. All she wanted was to fall back asleep and escape this fear she felt growing in her stomach. First Kaen and now this? She couldn’t stop staring at him. His blue eyes never stopped watching her and all she could focus on was how his angelic face regarded her with a severe curiosity that was unnerving.

  “How are you feeling?” Kailani asked.

  Lainey took a moment to formulate her words. “Scared.”

  “Do you have a tickle in your throat?” Kailani continued.

  “Now that you mention it—yes, I do.” She finally tore her sight away from Talon and looked at Kailani with confusion. “What does that mean?”

  “You’re hungry. You must feed. For the time being, you’ll drink only our blood—either Talon or I. It’s the easiest way to transition you away from Kaen.”

  The thought sickened her, but she had no choice but to accept this. “So, I’ll feed from you?”

  “Yes. I’ll guide you. Now, you must stop when I say to stop. Is that clear?” Kailani felt Talon shift on the bed and found him watching Lainey closely.

  She jerked when he spoke softly close to her face, “I’ll stop you as well if you endanger her. Just feed so we can get on with our day.”

  If she could do it without shocking Lainey, she would have punched her mate. “You can leave now,” she growled at Talon.

  “There’s not a chance I would leave you alone with a newborn vampire, feeding for the first time,” he replied nonchalantly. “Accept it.”

  She groaned before refocusing on Lainey. “He’s so difficult!”

  Lainey stared at Talon with a sense of foreboding. “You aren’t going to treat me like Kaen did, are you?”

  Softening his demeanor he sighed, “No. I won’t touch you.” He paused, “I’m here to be your guardian only.”

  The emotional relief was apparent on her face, and Lainey practically cried at his words. He wouldn’t touch her or force her to do things. Wouldn’t be cruel and make her betray Dace more than she already had. Dace. Her heart suddenly raced, and she looked towards the door in a panic. He was out there right now and wanted to see her. There was a tickle in her mind again as she thought of him and realized that the source was just on the other side of the door. “I think I feel Dace,” she whispered.

  Kailani tilted her head. “What do you feel?”

  “A tickle in my mind, like an itch that I need to scratch. It’s pulling me towards the door.”

  She nodded her affirmation. “You can’t see him until you feed first.”

  Lainey cringed but nodded. Did she want to see Dace? Was she ready? “All right. What do I do?”

  “Allow your urge to come to the front, and you’ll feel your fangs drop.” Kailani captured Lainey’s hand and held it tight.

  Lainey allowed the vampire need to come to the forefront.

  “Good. ” Kailani held up her arm so it was eye level with Lainey, “Now, bite my arm and drink. Your instincts will kick in so you don’t need much instruction. Your body will override your mind in a moment.” Kailani pulled her arm back for a moment. “But when I say stop, you must stop. Is that clear?”

  Lainey’s fangs dripped in anticipation as she nodded. Kailani presented her arm again. Lainey grabbed it wildly and pulled it towards her mouth. With eyes closed and a moan of ecstasy, Lainey bit and began feeding. A vibrating purr started in her chest, and the pleasure she felt from the offering warmed her throughout her entire body.

  Kailani’s blood tasted sweet and tart, like a raspberry. There was an underlying flavor though, something indescribable that Lainey could not put her finger on and didn’t try. She focused on pulling as much blood into her, pushing all other thoughts away.

  “All right, that’s enough.” Kailani tried to break the connection, but the newborn instincts to over feed were strong. Lainey was lost in the blood lust and heard nothing. Talon grabbed a fistful of hair at the base of Lainey’s head and yanked her back. Her eyes shot open. She snarled at Talon with aggressive craze before reason took hold.

  “Enough,” he growled.

  Lainey’s eyes filled with tears as she realized she had lost control and felt the immediate flush of guilt. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she sobbed.

  Talon couldn’t take it and pulled her into his arms in comfort, holding her cradled against his chest.

  “It’s all right,” he crooned, “She’s fine.”

  Kailani was shocked at the tender side of her mate. Sitting there, she watched as Talon comforted the newborn vampire while her body recovered from the feeding while she sealed her own wounds. Kai would have Talon feed Lainey next to allow herself to recover from her own ordeal. Kaen was depleting her blood to try and weaken her so giving what little she had now to Lainey was a risk. With a quick glance towards the door, she knew she made the right decision. There was no way Lainey would take blood from Talon and Kai wouldn’t allow Dace near her until Lainey stabilized.

  “I’m so sorry!” Lainey cried as Talon held her tight to his muscular chest. Over her head, he met and held Kailani’s eye and asked internally, “Are you all right? Did she harm you?”

  “I’m fine, just depleted. I need to feed myself. Multiple times even. Kaen starved me in there. The only food I had was a captain, and then Lainey and Quade. Not enough, love. I need more if I’m to get strong.”

  He nodded, “Let’s finish here then go hunting. I could hunt myself.” He looked down at Lainey with trepidation. “Will she be all right without us?”

  “We have no choice. I need to hunt, unless you want to stay behind?”

  He growled quietly, “I’m not leaving your side for awhile. I can’t handle another separation, Kailani. This has not been pleasant. Kaen trapped you too easily and I won’t take that risk again.”

  “For me either, love. For me either.” Kai swallowed the memory of her plight. She’d never come this close to losing hope he’d be there for her. She never, ever wanted to feel such despair again.

  “I really hope you’ve learned your lesson. No more running off on your own. Wait for me next time.” Talon delivered his reprimand with the heat of passion. He was terrified he would lose her again, and he shared that through his link with her.

  “I won’t.”

  Nodding, “Good. I think she’s better now. I’ll get Dace.”

  “Lainey?” Kailani touched her arm, and Lainey’s striking green orbs stared back. “Talon and I are going to hunt. Will you be all right here?

  “You’re leaving?” Her reaction was surprising. “I’ll be here alone?” Panic rose inside her, and she started to hyperventilate.

  “Shh,” Kailani patted her leg while Talon cradled her tighter. “I promise it won’t be long. I need to replenish my strength. Can you manage for a short while?”

  “Yes, just keep Dace away please.”

  Kailani shared a worried look with Talon. “All right.”

  Both older vampires rose and opened the door. Dace stood just outside and looking at the structure with profound emotion. His arms were crossed, brows creased, and body stiff. He met Lainey’s eyes and reeled, taking a step backwards at the sight of her awake. He thought she was painfully beautiful before, but it was excruciating now. Conflicting emotions and desires battled in his mind and body. He knew how he felt about Lainey being a vampire, yet his body responded to the woman who cowered on t
he bed behind Talon. His mind may not want her, but his body still did.

  Talon emerged first. “Dace, I need to ask you leave her alone until we return. Go find something to do.”

  “Excuse me?” He warred with a strong urge to get back to Lainey’s side.

  “Leave her alone,” Talon said more firmly. “She’s not ready to see you yet, and a forced greeting will only damage your relationship. Just leave her be. Or have you made up your mind?”

  The order infuriated Dace, then he looked again past the lean vampire, saw the woman on the bed. Had he decided? Part of him accepted that woman for Lainey, but the part of him that couldn’t let go of the hate said it wasn’t. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. All he knew was that there was a pull towards her and he fought against it.

  Dace’s eyes drifted down and landed on Lainey’s hand which clutched her chest. He felt a wave of anger like nothing he’d felt before as a wave of disgust that the woman he loved had removed his ring. At the sound of a low growl from Talon, Dace quickly turned away before she could see the loathing that suddenly changed his features.

  “You really have to get that under control,” Talon said with a bite. “Until you do, I’ll not allow you to see her.”

  “You can’t stop me,” he looked back and challenged the elf. “What gives you the right to control visitations? If I decide to see her, I will.”

  “The moment Kaen converted her she became my ward. She is part of my world now, as you’ve so clearly stated. I feel obligated to ensure her well-being. Until you accept the circumstances, she is under my protection.” Talon stalked forward menacingly. “Are we clear?”

  “We’re clear.” He snarled.

  “Good. Kailani and I’ll be gone for a short period of time, but we will come right back. Why don’t you go check how the evacuation is going? Give yourself something to think about other than Lainey.” His words were harsh, but there was a compassion that normally he would not include.

  “Fine.” With a stiff back and arms at his side, Dace marched off to discuss the plans and get a status update.