by Lia Davis
“We need to talk,” Roderick began. “We have something special here and I need to explain…” his thoughts faded as Rachel drew herself against his body and began to kiss him again.
“Explain this to me again. Because you gave me your blood, I’m immortal now?” Just as expected, as soon as he began to explain the situation, Rachel was no longer curled beside him. Instead, she paced in front of the bed, his t-shirt back on. His gaze followed her, roaming over the woman's enticing figure. She was lovely, tall and sinewy but rounded in the right places. Her long, golden-chestnut hair fell almost to her waist. It was a tussled mess thanks to his fingers.
His mate. Well, he’d definitely lucked out in the looks department; she was gorgeous.
“Are you listening to me?”
Ah, not really. “I didn't think about the consequences. I took an oath when I became a doctor to save lives when possible. I couldn’t leave you to die. I had to do something, anything, to ensure you had a chance at survival. It wasn’t until my roommate brought it up that I realized the full impact of giving you my blood.”
Finally, she moved closer, but far enough away that he couldn't reach her and sat at the foot of the bed. Her curious eyes studied him. “What exactly are you?”
“I am an immortal, part of a group of men known as the Protectors. Cyn, my roommate, is one, too. Our sole purpose is to defend innocents from beings that kill. Like the one that attacked you.”
Other than a slight widening of her eyes, she seemed to take the news well. “Were you born this way?”
“No,” He shook his head. “We are predestined. Chosen by I don’t know whom. At about age twenty or so, I began to change. My vision became sharper, hearing keener, and I grew almost a foot and bulked up. The pains were excruciating, the nightmares terrifying. It was during this time our leader, Julian, came to me and explained what happened and why.”
When Rachel began to shake, Roderick couldn’t stop himself from pulling her into his arms and smoothing her hair.
“How old are you?” she asked against his chest.
“I’m not sure. I was born around 300 AD in Sparta.”
Eyebrows lifted, her tempting lips formed an O. “Holy crap! A Spartan! I’ve read about your kind. The fact your race were known warriors, I can understand why you were chosen.” She reached for his hair, her fingers combing through the strands. “Is that why your hair is so blond? It’s almost silver.”
“No, my hair has always been this color.”
He pulled his mate tighter against him and cleared his throat. “There’s more you need to know.”
His woman was brave by the fortifying breath she took and prepared for whatever he would say next. She pushed back, slipped from the bed and, once again, put distance between them. She leaned against his dresser, her arms crossed. "Explain it to me. Am I immortal?"
"You may or may not be. But I would venture to guess my blood will ensure your life is prolonged. I am not sure as we are forbidden from giving our blood to humans...mortals."
"So you broke some kind of law for me?"
He closed his eyes for the moment, not wanting to think of Julian's reaction to the news. The Roman was not exactly a nice guy on the best of days. "Yes."
"What else?"
"We are bonded. Mated. Tied to one another."
It was easy to see the wheels turning as her expressions changed from questioning, to “oh shit” and, finally, to “oh, hell no”. Intelligence was evident from the fact she reacted by asking another question and not exploding. "Can it be broken?"
He shrugged and clenched his hands. Talk was not what he wanted to do at the moment. Her scent filled his every sense. He itched to touch her, to have her once again. The last thing he expected after so many years of existence was to bond, to be responsible for a female. His life was not easy. Waking each morning more of a gift than a given. Then there was the matter of Julian's reaction to the situation.
He looked to the ceiling only to snap back to Rachel when she let out a huff. “Well, can it?"
"I don't think so. Julian would know. I doubt it. We are tied for life."
She didn't hold back this time. "The hell you say. I choose who I marry and when. I am not like you. It’s not going to happen buddy."
Instead of replying, he fell back on the bed and put his hands behind his head, attention on the whirling ceiling fan. "It's not like I planned it. So you're not the only one stuck."
She loomed over him, her bright eyes meeting his. "Aren't you going to do something?"
"Yeah, but I have to plan what to do, think it through."
Her gaze traveled from his eyes to his mouth and finally to his very obvious desire and she let out a gasp and swallowed. "Shit."
"I know."
"Will it always feel this strong? This need is crazy." Rachel let her mouth fall open and she squeezed her legs together. "I can't allow it to take control."
Roderick reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "Come to bed. It will only get worse if we resist."
"Damn it," she exclaimed. "I really need to go."
She climbed over him and straddled his waist, her sex flush against his. This time, it was Roderick who let out a loud gasp. "Shit."
"One more time, but then I'm leaving."
"Yeah...about that..."
Her hands stopped him from saying anything further as she pushed his shorts low on his hips, grabbed his thickness and guided him inside her.
Talking for the moment had ended.
The beautiful woman took him in fully, her heated sex wrapping his. Roderick clenched his jaw not to lose his load then and there.
She pressed her flattened palms on his chest and lifted, letting him slide out of her. Just as he was almost fully out, Rachel lowered, taking him in again.
The wonderful movements continued and he allowed her to set the pace. Every movement brought him closer to culmination.
The sight of her, head thrown back, her breasts jiggling with each movement was perfect. He cupped each one and ran the pads of his thumbs over the rigid peaks.
"Oh!" she cried out and reached between her legs. He pushed her hand out of the way and stroked her until she let out a cry, her sex squeezing him. Roderick pushed his head back into the pillow and groaned as he came so hard he lost his breath. Unable to do more than allow nature its course, he concentrated on gaining back control.
Finally, he managed to get his bearings just as she fell over his chest, spent.
Moving slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and held her against him. "It will work out, Rachel. I will ensure it."
"I don't know what to say. What to think. I need a few days to process all of this."
"Of course, I understand. I know it feels as if I'm not giving you many options."
She lifted her head and looked at him. "It doesn't feel that way. It is exactly how it is. I have no options, according to you, but to go along with this tradition of yours."
“It's not a tradition. It's a physical reaction to sharing my blood with another." He tried to see it from her perspective. Other than not thinking about what the ramifications of sharing his blood would bring, all he'd concentrated on at the time had been saving her. Besides, it was probably easier for him. Neither of them had chosen this to happen, especially not her. One thing was for certain; at the moment, he didn't regret the bond.
Chapter 4
The back streets of Midtown were quiet and full of shadows. There were plenty of places for dark Fae to hide with their unlucky victims. The crunching of gravel under his boots seemed to echo. Yeah, so he wasn't being stealthy this night, but whatever. If an idiot was stupid enough to hunt in his territory then he'd at least give the moron a running start.
And...there it was. The thing darted from behind a dumpster and ran away from where Roderick neared. It sprinted like an Olympian going for the gold only to shriek and skid to a stop when Cyn appeared at the end of the street.
The Scot lifted his chin as if in gr
eeting. "All alone tonight? Kill your date or something?"
The demon growled and yanked out a handgun. It cranked its head to Roderick and then back to Cyn. "Let me by. I'll shoot you in the head. Even you cannot survive that."
Cyn rolled his eyes and lifted a brow at the demon. "Seriously? I doubt you're that good of a shot, demon."
The gun blast echoed. Only seconds later, after a swift slash of Roderick’s sword, the demon's head rolled onto the ground. Cyn was looking behind him to ensure no one was shot while both the body and head evaporated, a thick blue smoke spreading over the ground like a mist.
"Well that was boring," Cyn said, waiting for Roderick to sheathe his sword. "What about the victim?"
"Homeless man. Dead." Roderick stalked to the sidewalk and let out a breath.
"Bummer...get it? Bum...mer."
"A man is dead. Do you ever take anything seriously?"
His friend seemed to ponder the question. "Nope."
Cynden Fraser was young at only two hundred and twenty-five, not tired of the continuous circle of killing demons only for them to multiply.
The never-ending war between the Protectors and dark forces was rarely with odds in the Protectors’ favor. Roderick longed for a time when they would grow exponentially. Julian had recruited hundreds into their army, but when fighting thousands of evil creatures, it made little difference.
Even though they were stronger, faster and had the advantage of not having to feed from humans to survive, they were severely outnumbered. He wondered, at times, what the point of it all was.
"Three o'clock," Cyn muttered watching three men and two women heading to another side street. The women giggled loudly at something one of the males said.
"Dark Fae," Roderick said and picked up the pace. "Let’s ruin their party."
They rushed into the darkness then stopped abruptly. Roderick stilled his breath and allowed his keen ears to pick up where the people had gone. "There," he motioned to a door on the side of an industrial looking building. "Cover me."
Careful to not make noise, he pulled the door open and stepped into the darkness. It reeked of a mixture of oil and dampness. The shuffling of a rodent and the wind against the top windows were the only noises until a soft whimper sounded from further inside.
Cyn went to the left side and Roderick to the right and they stalked forward. Roderick caught himself smiling. Okay, so maybe there was the thrill of the hunt that showed up at times like this. It was like a game of cat and mouse. The only downer in the whole situation was the possibility of victims being hurt or worse.
Shouts sounded and they took advantage of the noise to race to a side room. They pushed the door open and stepped in.
It must have been an office at one time, but it seemed the demons had gone all Martha Stewart and fixed it up to look like a bedroom, curtains included.
Five sets of eyes looked to the door. The demons hissed and snarled and one of the women fainted. She slid down the wall, flopping onto the floor. Both women were nude. Obviously they'd been led to believe it was going to be an orgy. Perhaps after they'd fucked and fed, the demons planned to keep them alive for a bit. Sooner or later, they'd kill the women. It wasn't wise to leave witnesses to their existence.
Two of the three demons flew at the Protectors, knives in hand. The one that attacked Roderick held two long, wicked-looking knives. He sliced across the air over and over. "You'll be chopped up in little pieces by the time I'm done." He slashed again. "We'll finish our party while you lay on the ground bleeding." He stepped closer and attempted to stab Roderick. "I'm going to fuck you up..."
The demon's head plopped onto the floor with a sickening thud and the other woman shrieked so loud his ears rang. The remaining male had escaped out through a window while he and Chatty Cathy had fought. Cyn had gone after the escaped demon and Roderick remained in the room with the nude women.
"Get dressed,” he told the one who continued to whimper. “Help me get some clothes on your friend." He bent to the woman who'd passed out. She'd been bitten but, from the looks of it, the demon had only commenced to feed.
"Am I going to turn into a vampire?" the other woman asked as she scrambled into her dress. "Oh my God. I don't want to become something like that."
"You won't." He tugged a t-shirt onto the limp woman.
When Cyn came back a few moments later, both women sat on the bed and stared at him. The one who'd fainted was obviously drunk. "He's hot," she told no one in particular, then glanced to Roderick. "You're hot, too."
Roderick looked at Cyn. "Scrub them. I'm going to scout and make sure no one else was coming to join the festivities."
The street was deserted. Not quiet as the sounds of passing cars and voices of people on the busier street in front of the building floated in the air.
Seconds later, the women came out from the building, gave him a curious look and scrambled to the sidewalk. He walked behind them and watched until they melded with others on the sidewalk.
When Cyn walked out, Roderick turned to his partner. "What did you say to them? They gave me a strange look."
"Just that the only other person in the room was a tall blond man who had no pecker."
Roderick gave Cyn a droll look. "I'm serious."
"So am I." The guy walked off whistling.
"You're an asshole." Roderick let out a breath. If he killed his partner, he'd be paired off with either Thor, the Viking who was about as subtle as a category five tornado, or the Moor, who gave him the creeps. The guy never talked and moved so silently even other Protectors lost him.
"Wait up. Let's go grab a bite."
Cynden, always hungry, stopped mid-stride. "Good idea."
They settled into a booth in an all night diner. Cyn squirted ketchup into his mouth. "I'm starving."
It was almost one in the morning and soon the place would be filled with clubbers. As much as he hated being seen out in leathers and a sword across his back, he couldn't help the rumble in his stomach. Lately, he was always hungry.
"You need to get laid more. Not like you to take so many meal breaks."
"I get laid enough," he grunted not wanting to discuss Rachel with Cyn. "More than you," he added with a raised eyebrow just to egg his partner on.
Cyn shrugged. "I'm not bonded, so I can go without longer. Not that I enjoy doing the left hand gig, but whatever. Women are not worth the trouble."
That was a true statement. Most women were not worth it. But when he thought of Rachel, he could not picture his life without her. She was beautiful, giving and in bed, they were like...
"Dude you're smiling." Cyn leaned across the table and snapped his fingers in front of Roderick's face. "What do you want to order?"
It was then he noticed a server stood beside the table staring at him. "Sir, can I take your order?"
"Yeah...a double burger with cheese, two orders of fries and a milkshake."
When the waitress shuffled off, Cyn laughed. "So when does your girl move in? Can I stay or should I start looking for a place?"
"Don't know. And yeah...as much as you annoy me, I'd rather you not move out."
"My heart flutters," Cyn said and squirted more ketchup into his mouth. "You love me...you really love me."
"I'm stuck with you, which is very different."
The server brought their shakes and both delved in. Cyn gave him a quizzical look. "Truth is I hope she comes around soon. She's your other half and I'm happy for you brother."
Shit, now he had to admit he liked the guy.
Chapter 5
“How long are you going to torture the poor man?” said Rachel’s mother, Mariam, as she eyed the long stemmed white rose in her hand. Rachel turned away to fill a crystal bud vase and placed the bloom in it before setting it on the counter.
That her mom accepted the news so well of her newly prolonged life and being mated forever to an immortal demon slayer still amazed her. Perhaps her mother’s addiction to paranormal romance finally came in h
andy. Over time, they’d figure out how to break the news to her father, but for now, they kept the secret between them.
“For two weeks, you’ve kept him at arms length knowing darn well you’re in love with him.” Her mom arched a knowing brow. “Deny it.”
After much cajoling, Rachel had convinced Roderick that her mother would have to know by telling him she could never keep the secret from the woman she considered her best friend. Besides, there was no way in hell she was going through this alone.
She observed her mother glance at the rose with lips pursed. Mariam would not give up until Rachel married Roderick. The woman could be relentless. Maybe telling her had been a mistake.
A snappy retort in check, she replied, “I don’t like that Roderick didn’t give me a choice in this.” Her chin jutted out at the hollow words. “He took the choice of who I would spend my life with away from me.”
“Roderick sleeps here often.” With a sparkle in her eye, Mariam picked up her cup of tea and sipped, her soft blue eyes watching Rachel over the rim. “You’re obviously enjoying the relationship.”
“Mom! I told you, we have to. As bonded mates, it’s physically painful not to er…touch regularly.” A tingle swept through her as the picture of Roderick under her, his handsome face thrown back while they made love that morning, flashed into her mind. Her gaze slid toward her bedroom where he presently slept.
Every morning, Roderick brought a token, whether a rose like today, some chocolate or her favorite cappuccino from the nearby café. Not only that, but their chemistry was off the charts. She couldn’t deny the handsome man fulfilled her every dream in a partner.
“All right, I admit the basis of my reluctance to accept him fully and to move in together is fear,” Rachel said as she flipped absently through a Southern Lady magazine on the kitchen table. “I’m not ready to lose the little bit of control I have left. Mom, you know I'm not a control freak by nature or even close, but it’s just this entire scenario takes time to get used to.”
