Talon

by Alice Wade

  “I thought she took it off,” he whispered.

  “You were wrong,” Kailani replied firmly, reaching across and patting his leg. “You jumped to conclusions without listening.”

  Talon cleared his throat. “Dace, we love our women deeply. I see your feelings for her written on your face, but more importantly I hear them in your thoughts. Because of that love, we want to protect them, shelter them, and keep them from harm. I understand that very well. It also means you have to forgive, and forget.”

  Dace glowered at the elven vampire who sat there calmly, elegant and proud as his angelic face watched him closely. Leaning forward, Dace looked him directly in eye, “If this happened to Kailani, could you easily just forgive and forget?”

  Talon looked sadly down at his mate and they shared a smile. “Yes, and I have.” When his almond shaped blue eyes met Dace, “She was tortured and raped in there too. Kaen implanted images of their treatment to be shared with me each time we make love. A man who didn’t have confidence in his relationship would be driven mad with the images. However, I believe in Kai’s love. She and I have an agreement that our survival was more paramount, which means making difficult choices. Sometimes doing what you would deem as unfaithful. I would never hold those choices against her, because ultimately, she made them to get back to me. Like now. She’s alive.” Talon squeezed Kai’s hand with a half-smile lifting the corner of his mouth, “And so is Lainey.”

  Dace heard the conviction in Talon’s voice and retreated inside himself. Was he a coward after all? Did he misjudge the situation? Shite, he thought. His heart dropped to the floor and he’d never felt as shallow, childish or cruel than he did at that moment.

  “That is what I wanted to share. She would have been turned either way. Kaen is not one to pardon anyone. She made the best choice with a little help from me to remain sane and alive. I challenge you to forgive her. Her choice was made out of an intense love for you, so try.” Kailani rose and touched his cheek. “She loves you still. Now you have a choice to make, and I hope you make a wise one.”

  Talon was already at the door and holding it open for his mate as she slipped through gracefully. Neither looked back to see Dace’s tormented face. He had absolutely no clue what to do now. Talon forbade him any contact with Lainey, so how did he make this right? How did he apologize? Dace sat like that for while until a knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. Omar poked his head in to see what the delay was in starting the meeting.

  “I’m coming,” Dace called out before Omar could ask. He didn’t feel like explaining, so buried the turbulent emotions inside in order to get through the day. His people needed him to be a leader, not some heartbroken fool.

  “Are you all right?” Omar inquired as they made their way downstairs.

  “Absolutely,” he replied flatly.

  Oman didn’t push. Instead, he allowed his friend the space to work through his demons.

  Chapter Six

  “Silence!” Dace shouted to get order within the great room of the inn.

  All the members of this shantytown were gathered—including Lainey, who stood in the back. Dace could barely see her because Talon and Kailani had her shielded behind their bodies. Hers was the first face he searched out, and felt the stabbing pain when she dodged his advance. From what he could see, her spirit was broken.

  He had just jumped onto the table when Dace was assaulted by a verbal attack that centered on the vampires. Dace listened without showing any emotion, and nodded when they made valid points. Points that an hour before he would have agreed with. Dace caught Kailani’s eye from across the room and sighed. He knew now that his hate towards vampires was generalized. Not all of them were evil, testament by the two, no three standing in the back.

  His peoples’ views were nothing more than insults thrown out of fear and ignorance. He knew how they felt, but his eyes were opened. Now it was his job to open theirs. They were so blinded that they neglected to realize one of their targets was their former beloved leader.

  Ian, the thorn in Dace and Lainey’s side, was at the head of this movement. The people gravitated towards him and Dace needed to steer that influence back.

  “Enough. I’ve heard your arguments. I see that most of you are in agreement with Ian.” He met each and every eye in the room before he continued. Dace had listened calmly to Ian’s complaints, smiled even when he preached with a righteous fervor about the evils of the vampires and the cruelty they brought with them. According to Ian, all humans would wither and die just by being in the same room—purely by association. When he voiced that argument, old Mister James riled up, slapping his hand on his leg in agreement. Dace sadly watched the old man before he looked back to their ring leader.

  “Good arguments, Ian, but there are flaws in your thought process,” Dace finally spoke. He’d waited until Ian had gotten his wind out and then measured the emotional state of the audience.

  The fact that Dace calmly spoke irritated Ian. He challenged the renegade leader with crossed arms, daring him in challenge.

  Dace ignored him and looked out over those gathered. “The vampires are as complex as humans. The faster you accept that, the easier this conversation will be. As with humans, there are the good people and the bad. Same with them. The Dûr Falas are the bad; very bad I might add and this is where we need to be focused. The ones who live with us are the good ones. They have done nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing to endanger us. It is time to shift your focus outside our home and onto the ones that deserve your anger.”

  “Bullocks!” Ian shouted. “Lainey brought this upon us. You know that as well as I! They are searching for her.”

  At the mention of her name, Dace automatically looked at her and found her cradled in Talon’s arm, tucked protectively at his side. Her face was hidden against his chest and would not meet any of the accusing eyes that also sought her out.

  “I can’t argue with that. They are undeniably looking for her as well as me. Don’t forget, this all started with a hunt to find me and our camp’s location. You are asking us to turn our back on one person who was family. She loves you and guided you; now you want to toss her out there to fend for herself? Is that the honorable thing to do?” Dace’s eyes pleaded with those watching him closely. He wanted them to remember and not be poisoned by Ian.

  “I can’t believe you are defending her! We’ve had to evacuate our homes and run. It is Lainey who brought this upon us. Without her and Quade’s mistake, we would still be in our homes tonight. She should be punished for that crime.” Ian was bitter, clearly his anger blinded him.

  “Yes, and Quade is dead because of that same mistake,” Dace said somberly. “But that doesn’t mean we turn our back on her…or Talon and Kailani for that matter.” The room was close to exploding. Dace stepped forward suddenly, directly in line of sight of Ian and that sudden movement got their undivided attention. “We were planning on moving anyway. This only prompted us to move faster. Don’t forget the vote we took over six months ago that we’d do our best to get back among the living again. This wasn’t outside out original plan.”

  “Yes it is!” Ian roared.

  Unaffected, Dace smiled around the room. He read the confliction across most of their faces. Even Mister James. “I finally collected enough money to purchase this old inn. I had just exchanged keys with the landlord when Lainey was captured. It was going to happen regardless of this new threat, so sit down Ian. Do me a favor and shut up.”

  Ian sputtered, searching the room for supporters and found none. When he realized he was alone, he sat down in a dramatic display and silently glared at Dace.

  When Dace saw Ian was controlled, he continued. “I bought this inn so we could live like humans again, not sewer rats. I wanted us above ground and among our own kind, not hiding out like common thieves.” That got a few chuckles, because they all were commo
n thieves now. Dace felt the atmosphere in the room lightening and his heart swelled with pride. They weren’t bad people, just easily influenced when scared.

  Dace squatted down so he was more eye level with the crowd. He projected calm and radiated leadership. “We are stronger now, better able to protect what is ours and defend our families.” He looked at an older woman with three small children gathered around her. “Meredith, you deserve a real house and kitchen for your grandkids. Are you upset that you had to leave your wood shack and come here?”

  Meredith’s mouth tightened into a frown as she met his question. Before she answered him, her eyes dropped and she looked at each of her young grandchildren, then she raised her eyes to Dace and shook her head.

  “Allyn,” the man being called on now sat up and stared at Dace, “You struggled with your joints in the cold tunnels. Are you saying that you disagree with this move now that you can stay warm and dry?” He also shook his head no.

  “Quincy, I call on you to tell me what you said two days ago.” He pointed at the younger man in front, who looked about to whither from being called on. “Tell me what you told me a few days ago,” Dace repeated.

  “Makena is pregnant,” he stammered loud enough for all to hear. Even though the tension in the room was still tight, people were not callous enough not to congratulate the couple. A birth in such a trying time was something to celebrate. Quincy blushed as the room exploded with shouts of congratulations.

  “Enough!” Dace shouted, still focused on Quincy. He urged the blushing man to continue, “There was more. What else did you tell me that had you truly worried?”

  Quincy’s face was turning red with embarrassment, but he said in that same loud voice, “I was concerned about Makena giving birth in the shantytown.”

  Ian protested and was about to say something when Dace halted him before he had a chance to interrupt. “Why?”

  “Because it wasn’t well-insulated and dirty.”

  “Cold and dirty,” Dace repeated, meeting all their eyes again. “This building corrects that. Are you more comfortable in this inn? Does it meet your expectations for a safe delivery of your first child?”

  Dace drove right to the heart of what was important to Quincy. He also singled out those who he knew would benefit the most from a change. If he could get a few people on his side, the rest would follow.

  Dace still watched Quincy and his wife. It was she who answered his question with a bright smile of encouragement. “Yes, it does.” She touched her belly, holding his gaze, “I personally thank you for doing this for us. I, for one, find this move a benefit for our livelihoods. I appreciate the risk you took to make this a reality.”

  He was infused with pride, saying a silent ‘thank you’ to Makena and stood back up. The room exploded once more as they all loudly discussed what Makena had said. Some agreed, some didn’t. Like Ian.

  “Does anyone here still disagree with the decision to move? Have I made a judgment error by thinking you’d have a better life?” Dace hollered to get their attention. His eyes roamed the audience, and nearly laughed when their guilty eyes looked everywhere but at him. All except Ian, who still glared angrily at Dace from his seat.

  Harrumphing, Ian shook off his silence, “We should have stayed in the tunnels,” he said arrogantly. “We knew how to protect ourselves. We knew we were safe.”

  “Oh, shut up Ian,” A new voice broke in. Adara, an elderly matron in the group and one known to challenge the younger males stepped forward. She was one of the main elders who offered the parental authority needed to help keep tempers in check and arguments to a minimum. “I’m tired of listening to your voice.”

  Adara waited until she held their attention. “I, for one, am tired of being cold. My old bones need a soft bed and a warm home, something our previous location didn’t offer. I stand behind Dace and support him.” She paused and turned in Lainey’s direction, “and Lainey.”

  Dace nearly wept with relief that Adara was helping him. He felt the encouragement from her old watery eyes, and the love. That support gave him the courage to lift his chin and straighten his back. He was their leader after all.

  Adara walked to the front to stand before Dace’s perch on the table. Her voice was clear and carried across the room. “Everyone here benefited from Talon’s assistance. Did he harm any of you?” All eyes looked away, “No. He didn’t. Has Kailani done any foul deeds either?” A few heads shook in denial. “Who here is going to reject Lainey, the woman who you would all have died for two days ago?”

  Dace watched his former lover closely. At the mention of her name and the adamant defense by Adara, her perfect feline face turned to the gathering. It was inevitable that her eyes would cross Dace’s. He felt his breath lodge in his throat when they did. He smiled before she squinted and looked away quickly. He hoped she saw the forgiveness before she averted her eyes.

  Adara wasn’t done. “What was the meaning behind this gathering anyway? Was it to listen to Ian’s brilliant idea to throw out three people who have helped us?” Ian opened his mouth to argue, but Adara was prepared, “I said shut up Ian. You are alone in your thoughts now, so I want to hear from everyone else why they felt this meeting was necessary.” No one responded to her. “Raise your hand if you agree that they should be allowed to stay and be part of our family.” All hands but Ian’s were raised.

  She smugly nodded, “Raise your hand if you want them banished.” Only one was raised. She turned to look up at Dace, “I think you have your answer.”

  Dace laughed and dipped his head in a half bow to her, “It appears so; thank you Adara. If there are no more issues, this meeting is concluded.” The people filtered from the room in a steady stream, leaving only Dace and the vampires behind. He had not moved off the table and met their eyes in a silent communication of gratitude.

  Lainey hid her face from his and turned her back by hugging Talon instead. The elven vampire looked down in surprise then realized she hid herself from having to look at Dace.

  “Thank you, Dace. Your defense was admirable.” Kailani finally said, breaking the silence. “We appreciate the chance to live comfortably before we need to move on. This gesture will not be forgotten.”

  “I did it because it was the right thing to do. You asked me to make choices, and this is one of them. I want you to stay,” he said with conviction.

  “It’s a good one, so well done,” Kailani said. Her eyes watched the retreating back of her mate as he was already halfway out of the room with Lainey still shielded in his embrace. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  Talon felt Lainey go limp at his side and after three steps he became annoyed and picked her up like a child. She melted into his arms, molding around his body as he strode quickly up the stairs two at a time with Kailani on his heels.

  “You all right?” he whispered to Lainey.

  “No, but I’ll be once we get back to our room. Being outside makes me uncomfortable,” she bemoaned.

  “About that,” he leaned down and kissed her head. “You need to learn how to hunt. In a few days, we’ll be going out, but I want to teach you a few things first. I want you to be mentally prepared for leaving this building, so start working through your fears now,” Talon replied, surprising Kailani with his compassion. She would have to ask him where this tenderness and protective side came from.

  Her eyes shot to him suddenly when he answered her in her head, “She’s a newborn vampire, and it’s up to us to teach her. Care for her, too. That makes us her parents, does it not?”

  “You never cease to amaze me. Where is all this coming from, though? I’ve known you for, what, two hundred years, and you’ve never shown any paternal ambitions.”

  “That was before you found a stray newborn, love. Once that happened, do you think you’d allow me to walk away and ask the same of you?”

  S
he laughed. “No, I guess not.”

  “There you go. I do this because I love you and knew you would never forgive me if I turned my back on her, leaving her to fend for herself. She’d be rabid in a matter of days and probably brought down by the guards for the killing spree she’d embark on.”

  “I knew there was a reason I loved you.”

  She gave his mind a caress which sparked his need for her and sent his blood to a heated boil. With a knowing smile, she walked into their living room and immediately sat on the couch, taunting him to do something about it. He grunted and ignored her. He had other things to do before he could attend to his sexual appetite.

  “All right, Lainey. Today I’ll teach you how to feed properly and with manners.” Talon set her down near the couch gesturing for her take a seat.

  “There are manners?”

  “Of course. We are civilized or at least we try to be,” Kailani answered. “It would be rude to just walk up and bite. It’s an art that you’ll perfect in time, but manners are at the core.”

  Talon added, “In addition, there is a technique which will help you not be so sloppy.”

  Lainey looked panicked between the two vampires and went stiff. The idea of learning to feed correctly jolted her out of her misery over Dace. She still felt human and had not fully adjusted to her circumstance. All this talk about teaching her to feed made her quite anxious, and her hands shook.

  “Um, Talon? How are you going to do that?” The more they talked about feeding, Lainey felt the burn of her thirst. It had been hours since she was given a small amount of Kailani’s blood. The more she concentrated on it, the more she realized she was hungry.

  “You will feed from me this time, and not my arm. You will feed from here,” still standing, he touched his jugular vein and gave it a little slap.

  Kailani added, “I’ll assist in case you lose control, so you have nothing to fear.”