“Humph!”
I plan to leave tonight, but first I need a shower to wash the sweat from my body. I trembled like a baby through most of the procedure. I’m lucky I didn’t piss myself. Who in their right mind could think up a machine like that?
Chapter Eleven
Veda
Larry left me in wonderful hands. Becky is his age and the toughest person I ever met. She cooks for the diner and makes a mean hamburger and vegeburgers for me. She likes to cook and prefers to stay out of sight from the restaurant patrons. That is unless she needs to knock a few heads. The woman allows no disrespect to her employees. She also works around my severe learning curve. Put me in a forest and I easily survive. Place me in the middle of the city and I’m a newborn child.
I’m also sick. Sick at heart. The longing for Tyboll is so strong my entire body shakes at night beneath the covers. It’s a physical pain and runs so deep I feel it in every bone and muscle. I’m not sure how much more I can take.
A customer slapped my butt this morning and he’s lucky I only broke his fingers. My bear almost exploded from my human skin. The man yelled out, but Becky was on him before he could lift his uninjured fist. She told him if he came back she’d personally castrate him.
“You need to teach me that move, sugar,” was all she said before returning to the kitchen.
Not that I could teach it. The power from my grip crunched his fingers.
I look at myself in the small mirror above the sink in the very small bathroom. I live in a one-room apartment over the diner. Becky’s home is behind the diner. Not that she’s ever there. Even when the diner is closed she sits at a table drinking coffee while keeping an eye on the neighborhood.
I bring my focus back to the mirror. Haunted eyes stare back at me. I need to escape the confines of my room for a while. Maybe I can find a park and shift when it’s late at night. This is the only thing I can think of to alleviate the pain I feel. Not having my herbs is hard, too. The great texts and my runes aren’t helping me either. I can find nothing on resisting the mating call and the runes suggest patience.
I wait another hour before leaving the apartment. I must be sneaky so Becky doesn’t see me. She wouldn’t like me going out this late. I haven’t traveled more than a few blocks from the diner since arriving. The city noises make me uncomfortable. I can’t take the constant clatter or the smell.
I make it around the corner without alerting Becky and move quickly into the shadows. I need an area with large trees and low brush that will hide me once I shift. I walk for miles. Several men whistle and a few say “Hey, baby,” but no one stops me. I’m wearing a hoodie pulled low over my brow and it’s hard to tell my human age. Becky gave it to me along with a bunch of clothes her last waitress left behind. I like the jeans best.
“They never stay for long, sugar. The clothes are yours now. You can take them when you leave if you want. Don’t feel bad either. There’s always someone else who needs a little help and a place to stay. You’ll know when it’s time to go.”
I love Becky. She reminds me of my mother.
I travel several miles and the streets become a little nicer. Couples now walk hand in hand. I hear music before I realize where I am. The beastkind scent gives it away too late.
Two bear shifters stand to the side of double doors. A line of people wait outside the building where the music pours from. I freeze for a moment then turn away. This is Dmitri’s nightclub. A large hand lands on my shoulder and I know it’s too late to run. He doesn’t say anything and I think he tries to communicate telepathically. I’m not part of the bear clan and can’t hear him.
“Come with me,” he finally says aloud.
“I’d rather not,” I reply while trying to jerk my arm from his grasp. I’m no challenge for a full-grown Kodiak bear. With a loud sigh, I give in far too easily. “Okay, but I do not answer to your clan. I know the club offers safe passage for beastkind.”
He grunts, turns me around, and pushes me slightly in the direction of the door.
It’s dark inside. And loud. He leads me through the large main room and then down a hallway. He opens the last door at the end. Dmitri sits behind a large desk with a grin on his face.
“I wondered how long it would take you to find your way here,” he says. The bear that escorted me leaves, closing the door behind him.
“I’m requesting safe passage,” are the first words I say.
His eyebrows lift. “Are you in danger?”
I’m the only beastkind who doesn’t need a vampire’s bite to keep me alive. That never stopped Dmitri from visiting from time to time. He’s always polite, asks after my welfare, and doesn’t stay long. I made it clear I didn’t particularly want him in my cabin. It never stopped him from coming. You need to walk a thin line with vamps. They can easily kill even the largest beastkind. Dmitri didn’t get the name Black Demon Bringer of Death without a good reason.
I try my menacing glare that usually lets the diner’s not-so-nice customers know I mean business. “Only from bears and a pompous vampire at the moment.”
From the look on his face I would swear he’s silently laughing at me. “You have nothing to fear from me. I grant you safe passage,” he says with a dismissive wave.
I let out the breath I held. “Thank you.”
His gaze grows intense. “I have a question, though...”
He lets the sentence hang and I had no choice but to ask. “And your question is?”
His eyes harden. “What did my Goliath bear do to chase you away?”
Oh dear he doesn’t sound happy. “He did nothing.”
Dmitri leans back farther in his chair. “I find that hard to believe.”
How can I explain so this vampire will understand? “He, well… I cannot take a mate. The great texts do not allow it. It goes against my lineage. I had no choice but to leave.”
Suddenly, Dmitri’s in front of me and my back hits the door. He sniffs the large vein at my neck. “I hear witch blood is the sweetest on earth. I also know it kills a vampire if taken against a witch’s will.”
Shit. “Why are you doing this after you’ve granted safe passage?” I can’t stop the tremble in my voice.
“You are beastkind… but not. The rules of our existence do not govern you and that makes you dangerous. I allow you in my territory because you cause no harm and help where you can.” His breath warms my cheek. “Leaving behind a true mate causes harm.” He shifts to my ear and his whisper grows more dangerous with each word. “You have broken the rule.” Dmitri steps back and I take a breath. “But as you say, I’ve granted safe passage. You will think about Tyboll and what you have done. He is special to me and you left him in great distress. I can smell the same on you. Forget your great texts. The Goddess changes with time. Old debts are forgiven and the old laws washed away. It’s time for a new chapter in your book. One you write and leave to your children.” He smiles gently. “My bear will take you to a place where you may shift. You will return next week and tell me your plans.”
I lower my eyes, which is something I’d never done with him. He reaches out and lifts my chin with his finger. “I will gladly accept you into our clan.” My breath hitches and he wipes a lone tear from my cheek. “My mate would love to meet you.”
He steps back and I move to the side when the bear from earlier pushes against the door. “Come,” he says. I turn back to Dmitri, but he’s no longer in the room.
Damn sneaky vampires.
I silently follow the bear out of the nightclub to a park. He stays while I shift and spend an hour walking through the bushes and trees in my bear form. My heart aches for Tyboll. What have I done?
Chapter Twelve
Tyboll
“What the hell do you mean you allowed her to leave?” I roar at my liege as I grab a vase from his desk and throw it against the wall.
Dmitri’s eyes go amber. “Try asking that again, bear.” His clipped, steely voice brings me out of my suicidal rampage. Dmit
ri can kill me with little more than a flick of his wrist.
Dammit. I’m losing my mind. I put my hands on the sides of my head and pull my too-short hair. “I can’t take this.”
“You will take it. She will return in two days. It took you long enough to come after her.”
My head lifts. “I will go insane. I cannot take another day.”
“I will give you plenty to do to pass the time. Now that you’re presentable, the club can use you.”
I bite back a growl.
Ten hours later, I’m in the basement bringing up another crate of alcohol and I growl as loudly as I can. The music, chattering noise from patrons, and the stink of humans has me gritting my teeth, which causes an ache in my head. Damn vampire.
I walk up the stairs for the twentieth time tonight and freeze. The scent of my mate is in the air. She’s here. Early. I turn and set down the crate. Smoothing my fingers over my newly short hair, I realize I’m nervous. Me. One of the deadliest bears in the clan. Reacting like a wet-behind-the-ears cub. As each stride takes me closer to my mate anger takes over. No woman should have this power. Honey is the prime reason I won’t put up with Veda’s shit. He’s ridiculous in his behavior with his mate.
I stomp out of the hallway with her scent leading me farther into the noisy club. I see Dmitri and hear his voice before I notice my mate’s body hidden by the hulking figure of the vampire.
“He’s here and you have another full day. I will only grant safe passage through tomorrow.”
“What the hell!” She will leave over my dead body. My growl turns to a roar as I start running. People move aside or I shove them. Blood pounds through my head and I don’t care that Dmitri blocks my path. A vampire has no right to step between mates.
Dmitri’s palm hits my throat, sending me to the floor.
Air. I need air.
“Why did you do that?!” My mates demands. I would smile if I weren’t dying.
“That bear needs to learn respect.” My liege places his hand out for me to take. I think about slapping it away, but the lack of oxygen repairs the temporary insanity that took over a few seconds before. I grab Dmitri’s hand and manage to gain my feet, though I’m bent double.
“Last chance, witch,” Dmitri says.
I glance up and get the first look at my mate in more than two weeks. She’s beautiful in tight jeans and a pink shirt. Longing swells inside me. I want to slide the jeans down her legs and bury my face between her thighs to inhale her scent. She has no idea about the things I want to do to her or she would run. I see indecision on her face. A small amount of air bypasses the swelling in my throat and I manage to croak, “Don’t run. Talk to me first.”
She glances between me and Dmitri. The vampire steps back. I have a private bedroom at the club, which Dmitri gave me. I turn and head back down the hallway to the stairs. Veda follows. Every nerve ending I possess is aware of her. I cannot blow this.
***
Veda
I came early because I can no longer fight the pull of the mating call. I knew he was here the second I entered the club. There is nothing good about this mating. My line will end with me. I will never have a daughter to pass along my gift.
And now I follow Tyboll meekly to my fate. A different Tyboll. Shaggy hair and beard no longer cover him. The man beneath the human fur is beautiful. Not that my bear cares one bit. Hair or no hair, he is my chosen mate. Every second since I left Dmitri several days ago has been spent trying to work out the why’s in my head. It did no good. The Goddess changed the rules and I can only follow.
Tyboll opens a door when we get downstairs. He steps aside so I can enter first. The room is small with a single bed and a chair. I blush and have trouble turning to look at him as I hear the door close. He is close. I hear his breathing directly behind me. The hand he lays on my shoulder is hot. Too hot. I step forward so there is no longer contact between us, then I turn.
Need.
His eyes reflect the need in my own.
“Tyboll,” I whisper.
“I cannot allow you to leave. The pull is too strong.”
I gulp air into my lungs. I feel it, too. I glance over to the bed. “Can we talk for a bit?” It’s the last thing I want to do, but I’m scared. We cannot take back this final step.
He moves in closer and grasps my arms. Turning me, he presses closer to the front of me and my back hits the door. His hands skim down my arms until he threads his fingers through mine. Slowly he lifts our hands. Higher and higher. His massive chest presses into mine while my hands clear my head; he holds them with his iron grip against the door. His eyes burn with longing. I can’t breathe as his head tips down and his nose runs along my hairline to my jaw. Down my jaw and up around the other side. He scents me as I inhale his incredible smell.
“No talking,” he breathes and suddenly his lips meet mine. My first kiss. He gently tastes me. I have no idea where he finds his control. I want his tongue in my mouth, but he is being so gentle. The taste of him intoxicates and frustrates me at the same time. With my hands held I can’t deepen the small biting kisses he places against my lips.
“Tyboll, please.”
He pulls back slightly. “I need you so badly.”
Need. Not want. We need each other. It’s the mating call. “No talking. End this torture,” I beg.
His eyes go dark a split second before his lips crash against mine. Gentleness is replaced with fierce desire. I instinctively suck his tongue deeply. My bear is just beneath the surface. I smell his just as strongly—wild, musky… perfect.
I manage to pry my eyes open and he watches me as our lips devour each other’s. His hooded lids speak volumes. I. Need. Him. I press forward against his hands trying to lower mine. I want to touch him. He refuses. His lower body pushes more fully against me and his erection presses hard. I’m not afraid. Since I left him, all I’ve thought about is his body entering mine. Now I feel him so close to the part of me that aches with longing. I may go insane.
A knock at the door startles us. I’m airborne before I know what’s happened. My back hits the bed as Tyboll rips the door off its hinges. I hear the connection of flesh on flesh then a groan. Not the vampire, thank the Goddess, or my mate would be dead.
Tyboll props the door back up and pushes a large chest in front of it. He peels his shirt over his head and his hands go to the zipper of his pants. He shoves his pants down his legs. His erection flies free. He’s huge. Before I have time to consider the science of small hole, large man, he steps forward. And falls. His pants are down at his ankles and his shoes are stopping them from coming off. I try to stifle a burst of laughter, but I’m not successful. His fingers appear over the side of the bed and he crawls up until his face is at the apex of my thighs.
“Just where I want to be,” he murmurs, which cuts off my laughter. “Too many clothes. This can’t be done with you dressed, woman.” He unsnaps my jeans and has the zipper pulled down as fast as he did his. My breath catches as he begins sliding the material down my legs. Unlike him, I am wearing underwear. He hooks them with his fingers and they shimmy down with my jeans. He takes one of my legs and pulls the lower portion of my clothing off.
“Your shirt. Take it off.” His eyes burn with an intense heat I can actually feel. I grab the bottom of the offending material and whip it over my head.
I reach for my bra clasp. “Leave it,” he says. His legs stretch over the end of the bed with his pants hanging at his ankles. I would demand he be more considerate of what we are about to do, but then he shoves my legs apart and kisses me. There.
Oh my. My mother never explained this. It matters little, though, because it feels so damn good. My head goes back as a deep moan escapes my lips. He suckles. My hips lift upward and Tyboll pushes them down. Without thought, my fingers find his hair. Short hair and it pisses me off. I need something to hold onto. He licks… I groan.
A tight pressure builds. It centers where his mouth touches me. It aches to the point of pai
n. His finger enters me and I scream out as my body explodes. A white light bursts before my eyes. I see nothing in the room, only feel the energy rippling outward from my center. I open my eyes and Tyboll is directly above me with his hands on either side of my head. I feel shy. I feel replete. I smile.
His lips lower to mine and I realize his erection is nudging against me. We aren’t finished. The tip of him finds me. He releases my lips and stares into my eyes. His hips thrust downward and this time my scream is not from pleasure. He immediately stills. “A virgin,” he whispers.
I hurt and he’s still inside me. “What the hell did you expect, you flea-bitten, hairless bear rug?!”
His forehead leans against mine, but I can see his slight smile. “I’m sorry. I should have expected a virgin.”
Really? So I wasn’t good enough for a man. The thought is the exact opposite of the one before it. That’s how crazy this man makes me. I buck my hips, which only intensifies the ache. He’s not moving. As a matter of fact, a flutter inside of me wants him to move. His warm breath fans my face as he remains absolutely still. Too still.
“Did you expire, bear?” I ask with a great amount of exasperation.
His head tips up and his smile grows. His erection slides out slowly and just when I think he will remove himself from my body, he presses back in. A minute more of his slow glide and my body adjusts to the size of him. What he’s doing feels so much better now. Slow in… slow out. He’s watching me the entire time—our eyes locked together—our bodies as one.
“You’re so fucking hot, baby,” he says as he flexes his hips and dips back in.
What? Should I feel this is a romantic oath? I’m not his baby and he sure as hell isn’t my daddy. He stops moving again.
“What now?” he demands. Demands!
“This isn’t working,” I say with my teeth clenched.
“Do all witches think so much while they fuck?” he grumbles.
Fang Chronicles: Tyboll Page 5
