by Tina Donahue
Nikoli pulled back his hand.
Not allowing it, Regina held on to him, wanting to show him how a woman behaved in her world. With great care, she stroked his fingers, palm and wrist. There, she halted, disturbed at what she’d felt. Folding back his sweater’s cuff, she inhaled sharply at the puncture wounds on his wrist—mean, black circles ringed by reddened flesh. “Sazaar bit you.”
Twisting free of her grasp, Nikoli lowered his cuff. “Not tonight.”
Horrified, Regina whispered, “When?”
“Weeks before, when I tried to stop her.”
“Stop her from what?”
“From what happened tonight,” he said, frowning. “I crossed over to eliminate her so she wouldn’t be a threat to anyone here or to you. At the last moment, I hesitated, unable to bring myself to do it, and she tried to feed on me. Since then, she’s been vigilant, keeping herself just out of my reach. That’s why I had to wait until she showed up at your office, where she wouldn’t suspect my presence. If I could have had one more chance to destroy her before tonight, before she put you at risk, I would have.”
“I don’t care about that,” Regina said. “She bit you. That’s why you had trouble breathing in here when you crossed back over, isn’t it?”
He glanced at the lab’s door. “Within her is Andris’s poison. It’s not enough to turn me into what they are, but it has affected me here.”
“For how long? Will it eventually recede? Will your immune system, or whatever you call it, fight the poison she’d infected you with?”
Nikoli’s attention remained on the door. “Thus far, my body’s been able to counteract the effects, though each day they magnify. Now, I have only a few hours before I need relief in order to survive.”
What did that mean? Was he saying he could die if he stayed here? Frightened, Regina could barely get her words out. “Relief? How? Do we have to go back to my side?”
“Yes. We need to do so now before the atmosphere here overtakes me again and you’re left alone on E2.” He took her hand.
Regina glanced down at his surprisingly strong grip.
“Come,” he said.
Regina held back. “What about Andris and the others?”
Nikoli showed no emotion. “We have to return. We have no choice.”
Chapter Five
Nikoli breathed cautiously, aware that the intense burning in his chest could reoccur at any moment. Along with it, he feared a return of the atmosphere’s oppressive weight on his body, what Regina had felt for no more than a few minutes before her physiology had adjusted to it. What a vampire would experience as an increasing and crushing pressure on its chest, with the feeling radiating to its limbs. Frozen in place, it wouldn’t be able to harm his people. Nor would it be able to protect itself from them or the scorching air consuming its lungs.
If Sazaar had fed on him for a few minutes more, Nikoli knew he would have become what she had. As it was, he now belonged nowhere…neither in his dimension, where he found it increasingly difficult to survive, nor in Regina’s, where he was an anomaly.
A bead of perspiration ran down his face. Foreboding flooded him, an emotion discouraged in his structured, placid world.
The same as intense desire or love.
Impetuously, gently, he squeezed Regina’s hand, captivated at its softness and warmth, stirred in a way he’d never believed existed. As she curled her fingers more tightly around his, demonstrating her trust, Nikoli battled an urge to pull her into his arms, to have her close for a moment longer when what he needed was force of will to save her life, knowing what he had weeks before—that his no longer mattered.
He glanced at the figures on his handheld device. Even those in E2’s government didn’t have the power he now had—to open portals at will.
Not once had Nikoli hesitated in constructing the instrument, making certain it wouldn’t trip his realm’s complicated security. When he’d understood what Sazaar intended to confess to Regina, he knew he had no choice but to help Regina escape Andris and the others.
He led her to his lab’s door.
Holding back, she spoke in a whisper. “What are you doing? We came through the other side.” She turned to the back wall. “Are Sazaar and the others gone?”
“We’re not returning through that portal. I’m going to open another to your realm. Come.”
At the door, he stopped and released her hand. Taking his coat from her shoulders, he pulled it on, then placed his palm on the barrier’s metal, waiting for it to read the circles on his fingertips. Nothing happened. Nikoli’s skin went cold then hot. Sweat ran into his eyes, stinging them. Had one of his colleagues discovered he’d crossed over and helped a human? Did that individual intend to trap him and Regina in this room, forcing them to choose between dying here and returning to her office, where the vampires surely waited to destroy them both?
“What’s wrong?” she whispered, huddling against him. “What’s that buzzing sound?”
The lock opening, affording escape. Nikoli had an uncontrollable urge to laugh in triumph and to curse Sazaar for having caused this. He allowed neither emotion, speaking as quietly as Regina had. “A mechanism that opens the door. Some of my people may be on the other side of it. Say nothing, ask nothing, even if you’re afraid.”
Giving her no chance to respond, Nikoli took Regina’s arm and pulled her back several steps to allow enough space for the door to open a crack.
Face to the narrow slit, he glanced into the hall beyond the door, then to the right, the left. The area was deserted. His legs went rubbery with relief. For the moment, they were safe. With no hesitation, he led Regina into the dimly lit, deserted space.
As far as one could see, closed doors flanked each side, the gray metal bearing the names and ranks of the scientists that worked in those rooms.
Regina’s heels clacked faintly against the floor’s material, a silver alloy that resisted corrosion or wear for thousands of years. She matched Nikoli’s pace for several yards, then stopped abruptly, staring at something past him…above him, the blood draining from her face.
He saw what she did—the crystal globe floating in place near the ceiling, part of the lab’s surveillance system. Before crossing over tonight, he’d altered it. For a few more minutes, it wouldn’t detect or record his and Regina’s movements; then its backup system would reset and search for whatever had caused the breach in security.
With little time to waste, he pulled Regina past countless doors.
She struggled to keep pace with his long strides, hurried even when measured against the movements of those in her realm. Nikoli didn’t slow down. Her life depended upon their haste. Just short of the door he sought, she stopped again, her hand gripping his, her nails biting into his skin.
Only then did he hear voices coming from the left, belonging to men and women he’d known since childhood, scientists who’d trained at the same institutes of learning that he had.
Nikoli’s lungs began to burn, reminding him to take a breath. As he did, the air felt too heavy, thick—not from the lingering aftermath of Sazaar’s bite, but from terror that was bone deep. Listening closely, his mind racing as to what he should do, he caught snatches of the conversation Regina couldn’t possibly understand.
“Then you’ve seen it too?” his male colleague asked.
What?
The female scientist responded, “Earlier today. I must say, nothing was left to chance this time.”
Pressing against him, Regina whispered, “Who is that? Do they know we’re here?”
Not yet. They continued to discuss the new housing E2’s government had provided, extolling its excellence as fine citizens always did, never finding any drawbacks in their orderly, planned existence.
Weeks before, Nikoli had been no different. And then, he’d seen and heard Regina, lusting after her just as Sazaar had done with Andris.
Lightheaded, he pulled Regina even closer, unwilling to let the vampires or his people harm he
r.
She shivered. On tiptoes, she whispered in his ear, “What if they see us?”
They wouldn’t. He knew who they were. This hall wasn’t their destination. Within seconds, their footfalls faded away, telling Nikoli they had turned a corner prior to reaching this area.
Regina must have heard their departure. She sank to her heels and lifted her face to his.
Nikoli’s throat constricted with emotion he couldn’t deny, need he fought to resist. Everything about Regina—from her coppery hair to her green eyes, guileless smile and willing heart—was so different, so much more alive than the females in his dimension. They had never known true passion…nor had they experienced dread or hopelessness.
“What if they see us?” she’d asked.
Her worry tore at him. But he couldn’t lie to her. She needed strength to survive this night and the others. “I’ll be executed for treason.”
She fisted her free hand into his sweater, so unlike the garments on this side. Clothing Nikoli had stolen so he would resemble the inhabitants on her plane, moving freely amongst them to eliminate Sazaar.
His failure to do so at the last moment had brought them to this.
Hating himself for that weakness, he led Regina to a door near an intersection. Halls continued in all directions. The sound of a new conversation came from the right, the words so muted Nikoli couldn’t yet determine what his colleagues said.
Releasing Regina, he placed his fingertips on the metal door as he had on the one in his lab. This being a common room for many scientists to use, the lock opened immediately, recognizing his markings as authorized.
Hurriedly, he pulled Regina inside. At this hour, it would be rare to find anyone working in here. Tonight was no exception. Faintly lit as the other labs, equipment—not scientists—crowded its space.
Regina turned to a hologram of the three other dimensions on earth, then back to him as Nikoli eased her against the door. Facing her, he listened to the footfalls outside.
They didn’t continue down the intersection as he’d predicted. Instead, the faint tapping sounds turned in this direction.
Nikoli tensed, knowing what discovery would mean. He placed his finger on Regina’s lips and listened closely.
“Then you’ve approached her about being your mate?” one of the men asked.
“Not yet,” the other answered. “I noticed you had an interest in her and wanted to discuss the matter with you. Were you planning to seek her as your partner?”
“It had crossed my mind. She’s quite intelligent.”
“I understand she’s scored the highest percentile on her tests. I haven’t yet reviewed her file. Have you?”
Nikoli’s shoulders relaxed as his colleagues debated the practicalities of which man would be better suited for the female in question. He expected to feel shame for having betrayed them with his actions tonight, but did not. All that mattered to Nikoli was Regina.
Clearly frightened, her hands on his chest, she searched his face.
Tenderness swept through Nikoli, along with unbearable desire. He stroked her cheek to let her know she had nothing to fear.
His colleagues continued their debate not far from the door, their comments mild, absent of passion.
It raged through Nikoli as Regina held his gaze in the gloom, showing him her uncertainty.
Desperate to comfort her, he pressed his mouth to her ear, all too aware of her delicate fragrance, nearly undone by the silkiness of her hair. “They don’t know we’re in here,” he whispered. “They won’t find out. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Regina’s body softened against his, her warmth and scent consuming his thoughts. Blood heated Nikoli’s chest and groin, thickening his cock, tightening his balls. Another word from her side. Descriptive, dynamic, making him hunger even more…making him act.
He pressed his lips to her velvety cheek.
Regina inhaled sharply, a barely audible sound that touched his heart and captured his soul. Sliding her hands from his chest to his back, she wound her arms around his torso, clinging to him. Out of fear or carnal hunger?
It didn’t matter. They had no future. Even so, harsh reality couldn’t stop him from easing back to learn what had driven her response.
His limbs went weak. In her, he saw lust to match his own, along with wonder he needed more than the promise of safety. Dropping the portable device into his coat pocket, he leaned down, brushing his mouth over hers.
She whimpered.
Torrents of pleasure washed over him. His cock stirred, growing even harder, craving the sanctuary of her cunt. Regina’s arms tightened around him, her sweet breath warming, tickling his lips. He wanted more. For the first time in his existence, Nikoli craved everything a kiss should be, teasing the seam of her mouth with his tongue.
Willingly, she yielded, parting her lips, inviting him inside.
He filled her then, his tongue plunging into her mouth.
She yielded immediately, arching her back, proving how eager she was to have her body close to his, her breasts crushed against his chest, her mound to his thick ridge of male flesh. At his cock’s stiffness, what she imagined to be its length, Regina moaned faintly, unable to help herself.
Nikoli quieted her with his tongue, angling his mouth for greater penetration.
In the hall, two men continued their quiet conversation, as though they discussed nothing more pressing than the weather.
In here, Nikoli’s passion didn’t abate. He pulled her away from the door and into his large body. Slinging his arm around her waist, he drew her even closer to his length, his strength barely contained, his kiss impassioned, greedy, commanding.
She surrendered, opening her mouth even farther, welcoming him inside, suckling his tongue. He tasted of toothpaste, a mild peppermint flavor, and another Regina couldn’t identify. Something clean and comforting. Inhaling deeply, she caught aromas within the sterile air…the wool scent of his coat and his musk, a faint yet heady fragrance that stirred her beyond restraint.
On a subdued moan that no one outside could hear, she ran her hands up his back and slanted her mouth over his, giving him greater access.
Whatever control he’d still managed to maintain weakened instantly, allowing the male animal within him to respond. Nikoli’s kiss grew even hungrier, a shade below wild, a faint grunt escaping his throat, his beginning beard rasping her skin.
A pulse beat in Regina’s cunt. Her nipples constricted into stiff peaks, her body imploring him to fill her. It was crazy to feel as she did, but she no longer cared. She might have died tonight without ever having experienced this, without ever having known him.
He’d saved her. He’d continued to protect her. He wanted her.
Lifting his free hand, he drove his long fingers through her hair, anchoring her to him, leaving no means of escape.
Regina wanted none. He wasn’t anything he’d told her in the coffee shop. He was more than she could have ever imagined. Strong. Brave. Kind. Passionate.
Loving.
Nikoli’s kiss grew tender, his tongue sweeping the insides of her cheeks, over her teeth, exploring their contours even as his hand went to her breast.
His touch electrified, tempting her in a way she’d rarely known. A surge of desire tore through Regina, leaving her dizzy and limp. With a hunger to match hers, Nikoli cupped her breast in his palm, his thumb flicking the tightened nub, his fingers squeezing the rounded counters with a mixture of passion and care.
She moaned once more, the sound again muffled by his tongue.
It seemed to galvanize him, defeating restraint. Once more, his kiss spoke of a male who required a female, a man who cared for nothing but this moment.
Pressing the pads of her fingers into his muscular back, Regina held tight, unwilling to let the moment end. They enjoyed each other’s taste, scent, warmth for minutes, hardly a lifetime, but to her it seemed as though they’d never been apart.
At last, Nikoli pulled his mou
th from hers. Regina heard his quiet gasps, his battle to pull in enough air, the same as her. Or was it?
Her stomach clenched. She recalled how he’d struggled to breathe when they first went through the portal. Was the same thing happening now? Lifting her hand to his cheek, she avoided the wounds Sazaar had given him, running her fingertips lightly over his beginning beard.
“Are you all right?” she whispered. “Is the atmosphere affecting you again?”
Nikoli sighed deeply. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “No. You are.”
A smile tugged at her lips. His answer was what all women wanted to hear from a man, no matter his dimension. Easing back, Regina went weak at his masculine allure. Several dark locks had fallen over his brow, making him appear curiously boyish, endearing him to her even more. With relief, she noted his breathing was still close to normal, as was his rich coloring, the pastiness from before gone.
He leaned down to her, his lips touching her ear. In delight, she trembled.
Nikoli murmured, “I’m sorry for what Sazaar and I have brought into your life.”
His apology, the resignation behind it, sounded like good-bye.
“It’s not your fault,” she whispered. “I don’t blame you. I’d never blame you.”
He didn’t respond.
Just past the door, the men’s comments grew serene, as though they’d made a decision about something. Snatches of quiet filled the spaces between their words. Was their conversation finished? Would they now move on, giving Nikoli a chance to do whatever he’d planned?
For the first time, Regina wondered what his plan was. Did he intend to bring her to the other side, making certain she was safe, then leave her forever?
One of the men spoke again. The other made a sound of acknowledgement, not adding any comment. Again, they fell silent.
