York

by Susan A Bliler

  Alone in the corridor, she jerked and kicked, but stilled at Rohm’s rumbled, “Be still! I have no desire for a mated female.”

  Really? Afraid to lend voice to her disbelief, she was wary of believing the Keeper. “Then let me go,” she challenged and stumbled backward when he did as asked.

  “Come!” he commanded and turned to stalk down the hall. When Sky didn’t immediately follow he stopped to frown at her over his shoulder. “Or you can wait for Fatal to send another Keeper for you. We are extremely short on females in our brood. Many would fight to claim you, regardless of your band or the Walker’s scent.”

  That got Sky’s feet moving, and she stayed close behind Rohm as she followed him down the long corridor that Fatal had taken. “W-where are we going?”

  “You can wait in my den until your mate returns.”

  Sky’s feet stuttered to a halt. His den? Uhhh, NO!

  This time Rohm didn’t stop. “Force is patrolling the corridors. I suggest you follow. He’s earned his name.”

  Sky debated. Race out into the arms of the waiting Megalya, stay here and fight off some Keeper named Force, or take my chances that Rohm really doesn’t want a mated female. Hmm. She hurried to catch up before he disappeared in the darkened corridor.

  He led her to a room that was nothing like she’d expected. “Um?” She eyed the stone walls. There was nothing in the room except a bed in one corner. No shelves, no window, no TV, no books. “What is a den?”

  He frowned at her as if it were obvious. “It is where we sleep. Where we go to be alone.”

  Wrapping her arms around herself, she looked at the bed. There wasn’t anything else in the room to look at besides Rohm. “D-don’t you watch TV or read?”

  “Some do. I do not. I eat, hunt, fight and sleep.”

  “Hunt?” She was almost afraid to ask. “Hunt what?”

  “Females.”

  Her gut clenched, and she backed up a step. When he snarled, her eyes shot to him.

  “I do not harm women. I just…need one.” He suddenly looked uncertain. “I’m leaving you here with Zavier. If I stay, I’ll take you and I don’t want a recently mated female.” He stared at her evenly. “Let us hope your Walker is back before his scent on you fades.”

  Holding out his arms, his chest shimmered and then turned white. Something was forming in the center of his chest, and then it shot forward. A huge polar bear appeared and turned to chuff loudly at Rohm before turning its attention to Sky.

  She paled and backed toward the bed.

  “Do not touch my bed,” Rohm demanded. “If he scents you there he’ll think you’re ours.”

  Sky froze. “Is…is he s-safe?” She smiled at the great beast.

  “Safer to you than I am right now.” Then Rohm stalked to the door and slammed it behind him leaving her alone with Zavier.

  Chapter 19

  York’s call from the nearest hotel was short. Monroe was eager to set up a meeting with the Keepers. He’d informed York that a team was already dispatched when they’d received York’s distress call.

  As penance for having injured Commander Drago’s Angel, Skin Walker Remy McCabe had agreed to take over his team so that Commander Drago could temporarily step-down from his post to spend time with his new family. Remy was coming with his team, consisting of Shane, James, and Marko. Good Walkers. Relief flooded York, but was short-lived. The team would arrive in the Philippines in approximately twelve hours. York couldn’t wait. He secured permission, apprised Monroe of his near claiming of Sky, gave explicit details on the location of the Keeper’s den and ended the call. He was going back for Sky alone.

  ***

  Sky heard York before he’d even burst through the door to Rohm’s den. Zavier was instantly on alert and turned with his hackles up to growl ferociously at York even as Rohm rushed the room to calm his Soul Sentry. Without a word, Rohm’s arms opened wide and Zavier jumped into the Keeper’s shimmering chest. With one last longing look at Sky, Rohm left his den.

  “Are you alright?” York rushed to her, but she jerked back from him.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Sky?” He grabbed her hand, ignoring the obvious fact that she was still upset and hurt over him leaving her. “It had to be done. It was the only way.”

  She did feel a little guilty knowing that they’d been backed into a corner and had little choice, but it didn’t mean she still wasn’t wounded by the ease with which he’d left her. Plus, Fatal’s words played round and round in her head. “A Keeper would never leave his female behind.”

  She dropped her chin to study her hands. “He offered me to Rohm.”

  York snarled viciously and her head jerked up. His eyes had changed color and were a terrifying black. His hands grabbed her and yanked her to him as he lowered his head and sniffed at her incessantly.

  “He…he didn’t touch me, York.” She pushed at his chest, but he continued to scent her. “He said he didn’t want a claimed female.”

  Whatever he’d been looking for, or not looking for must have appeased him because York’s eyes transitioned back to the sea green she so loved.

  “Lying snake!” The words were spoken through gnashed teeth and his eyes sparked with fury before he drew in a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, seemingly attempting to calm himself.

  Lowering his head to hers, his expression softened. “Never again!” Lifting his head, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the hall, “I’m getting you out of here.” He took only a few steps before a Rohm appeared at the end of the hall.

  “Fatal requests your presence.” He turned and disappeared into the darkness.

  “Can’t we just leave?” Sky whispered, suddenly gripping Yorks hand. She’d be pissed later. Right now she wanted away from these Keepers. “He lied.”

  York growled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he pulled her down the hall with him the in direction Rohm had disappeared. “We’ll meet with Fatal and then we’ll leave.”

  ***

  “I challenge for her!” Valor—one of Fatal’s Keepers-- stepped forward. His eyes locked on Sky.

  “NO!” York snarled stepping forward. He’d intended on confronting Fatal over his deceit and hadn’t expected another Keeper to attempt to claim his angel. What was it with this creatures and their penchant for taking females? “She is claimed!”

  “Not fully,” Fatal countered, with a tilt of his head to eye York inquisitively. “And why is that?” He flicked his gaze to Sky and let his eyes rove up and down her frame. “She is very appealing, and her mind is not weak. She’s accepted our existence and apparently yours with great stride. So, why haven’t you fully claimed her?” Fatal’s eyes narrowed on York. “Do you not want her?”

  “I’m waiting for her acceptance of me.”

  Sky laced her fingers through York’s drawing his gaze down to her.

  Fatal sneered. “Why not take what you want? It is what Keepers do.”

  York pulled his hand from Sky’s and dropped an arm over her shoulder to pull her into him. “It is not the Walker way. I will have her when she is ready.”

  I’m ready! Sky screamed in her head, knowing that if it meant keeping her away from these Keepers, she’d let York “claim” her in a heartbeat.

  “I want her!”

  The declaration had Sky’s eyes jerking back to the Keeper who had stepped forward.

  “It is not their way, Valor.”

  Valor? Well, he certainly wasn’t living up to his name.

  “It is our way,” Valor challenged. “And they are in our den. Let us abide by Keeper law.”

  Fatal turned to eye York, who in turn shoved Sky behind his back. A fierce growl rumbled from his chest before he threatened in an animalistic tone, “Any Keeper who attempts to take what’s mine will die!”

  Valor took a step closer, as if accepting the challenge, and York hunched his shoulders, preparing for battle. From behind, Sky saw fur sprout up along his forearms and a loud growly rumble continuous
ly emitted from his chest as he grew in size.

  “Enough!” Fatal snarled. “Your challenge is denied, Valor. I cannot have a battle between you two sullying any potential alliance. He looked directly at Valor. “Leave.”

  Valor didn’t move. He continued to sneer at Fatal until Fatal spread his arms wide, the center of his chest shimmering. “LEAVE!” he commanded more firmly.

  Valor, eyes snapping in fury, gave one last look to York. “When next we meet.” He turned to smile wickedly at Sky. “You’ll be mine!”

  The sound of rapidly approaching feet had Fatal spinning. “Force? What is it?” There was no alarm in his voice only mild annoyance.

  The one called Force stopped with a scowl. “Another like him,” his eyes flicked to York. “Is outside. He says he’s with them.”

  York’s hackles rose. Remy and his team would still be too far out. Unless…

  “By all means,” Fatal waved his hand through the air, palm side up.

  Force disappeared, and the group waited.

  Short minutes later, footsteps could be heard before Force re-entered behind a huge, hulking figure. The large man’s arm was covered in a tattoo that Sky knew was Maori. His dark hair was pulled back into a knot.

  Ignoring all others in the room, the Walker looked at York. “Crow sent me. I am Ryker. I live in the area. The Walker’s eyes shifted to Sky and the halo around her neck. “Your Angel?”

  York nodded, relieved that another Walker had arrived.

  “Why are you here?” Fatal queried.

  “I’ll remain with you,” Ryker turned to Fatal, “until transport arrives. His eyes cut back to York. “Get your Angel out of here.”

  York looked to Fatal, waiting for the ruling Keeper to protest.

  Fatal’s nostrils flared as he scented the new Walker. Keeping his eyes on Ryker, he flicked his fingers at York. “Go. This one can stay. Your female’s presence is causing me problems.”

  Without hesitation, York nodded once at Ryker before turning and pulling Sky quickly along behind him. He’d thank Ryker properly later. Right now, his only concern was getting Sky safely back to his hotel.

  Chapter 20

  Back in York’s suite, Sky sat on the sofa listening as York paced back and forth, speaking to a man by the name of Monroe via telephone. She could sense York’s agitation, bordering on impatience, almost as if he didn’t want to be on the phone, but once they’d entered the suite it had been his foremost thought.

  “Yes,” York spoke succinctly. “I’m still in range of the mist. Ryker says that Fatal will come, and he’ll bring four of his men. Do you have an ETA on Remy’s team?”

  Silence as she watched his jaw bunch. “Fine. We’ll wait, but once that plane touches down, I’m getting Sky out of here.”

  Silence again and a slight growl of disapproval.

  “Not fully. My halo, yes, but not a full claiming.”

  He turned to stare at her, and she could feel heat building up inside her from the raw desire she read in his eyes. “I will.” Then he disconnected the call and set down the phone.

  “A-are we finally going home?” She was almost afraid to ask.

  “Yes,” he tried to smile, but it wasn’t quite believable. “My assignment is over. Remy’s team will take it from here.”

  Confusion knit her delicate brows. “Assignment?”

  His gaze dipped to the halo around her neck and stayed there for several moments before he looked up. “My assignment was a retrieval mission. I was paid to bring you back to Montana, back to Shy. I’m getting you out of here.”

  Sky’s heart leapt. She was ready to go home; she she was ready to be free of the men chasing her, and she was ready for… Wait! Paid? Slowly, she got to her feet. “You were hired to come after me?”

  “Yes.”

  Heat stole across her cheeks. “You were paid to find me? Paid to follow me?”

  York inched closer, concerned at the sudden flowering scent of disbelief, anger, and mortification. “Yes.”

  Her blue eyes glittered with fury. “Were you paid to fuck me?”

  York stilled. It wasn’t like that. How could she…

  Sky reached up and slapped him. It didn’t hurt, but he understood her need for it. She felt used, betrayed. He could scent her fury, confusion, and pain and he couldn’t fault her for any of it.

  “Sky…”

  “Don’t!” She turned from him and stalked through the bedroom to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

  Don’t? He didn’t think so. York stalked to the door and gripped the handle in his massive hand. It was locked, and he growled in annoyance that it had been fixed from when he’d broken it days earlier. It only slowed him for a second. He twisted hard, and the knob broke off. He heard the other half hit the tile inside the bathroom before he shoved the door open and found Sky sitting on the edge of the tub. Her head snapped up, and she wiped at her tear-stained cheeks as her sadness morphed into anger.

  “What are you doing? Get the hell out!” She stood and crossed to shove York hard in the chest. He didn’t move.

  “Sky, let me explain.”

  She shoved at him again, but he still didn’t move. “You already explained! Paid to find me and got a free screw out of it!” Her hands were shaking with her anger as she made to pass him. “I hope you got your money’s worth!”

  One large arm circled her waist and lifted her off the floor. She struggled, punching and kicking at the behemoth.

  York carried her easily to the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. She bounced once, but before she could right herself, he was on top of her, her slight frame pinned beneath the weight of his own.

  She reached up to hit him, but found her wrists locked in one of his large hands and pinned above her head. She squirmed until she grew exhausted and finally settled, glaring up at him as she ground out from between clenched teeth, “Get. Off. Of. Me!”

  York’s eyes narrowed. “Do you honestly believe that the gift of your body, your passion, was anything less than the most exquisite experience of my life?”

  Her cheeks flamed from the statement, and she turned her head to avoid his gaze as her chest continued to heave from her exertion. “The perks of your job must be nice for you.”

  “This isn’t typical, Sky. I didn’t use you. You seduced me!” He hated to point it out and knew it’d been a mistake when fresh tears flooded her eyes. His eyes dipped to the halo around her neck, and he felt a flare of pride that she wore it. “I have claimed you. Nothing but death will part me from you.”

  “What?” her gaze jerked to lock with his. She blinked rapidly to dispel her unshed tears. “We’re not married, York!”

  “No,” he shook his head. “A Walker’s claiming is so much more than a human marriage.”

  She clenched her jaw for long seconds before hissing, “What in the hell are you talking about?”

  His eyes dipped to the band around her neck, and he lowered his head. “I’m talking about this.” He licked his tongue up the halo and Sky jerked under him, her startled gasp confirmation of the stories York had heard about a Walker’s gifted halo being tied to his Angel’s sex. He wanted to know if it was true.

  God that feels good!

  Sky was shocked at her reaction to York pinning her to the bed. So attracted to him was she that she’d actually imagined him touching her intimately from the mere brushing of his nose along her jaw.

  Heat pooled between her legs even as she tried to retain her anger. She had to get him off her so that she could think more clearly.

  “Let me up.” Why did her voice suddenly sound so breathy, and where in the hell was all the conviction she’d had moments ago?

  York’s nose rubbed along her chin again, and she felt his tongue brush her neck, but that sensation was short-lived when she swore she could feel his tongue glide through her pussy. She tried to clamp her legs together, but his weight kept them parted. Suddenly, her angry breathing hitched and became labored from trying to ignore the
ache that was welling in her womb. Damn this vicious need for him!

  He dipped his head and repeated whatever he was doing, and she nearly came. Feminine honey seeped from her sex, preparing her for him. Her nipples hardened and she didn’t dare move, lest the friction cause her to orgasm simply from York being on top of her.

  “Mmmm,” he rumbled at her ear, taking her lobe to nip it between his teeth. “You smell so fucking good! Like pears, and heaven, and…mine.” The last word rumbled from his chest just before his mouth descended on hers, and he devoured her.

  Sky had intentions of denying him, but the fiery need searing her had her searching for any excuse to give in. It couldn’t hurt. I could use him…like he used me.

  It was a weak argument, but all that she needed. She tried to pull her arms free, but York wouldn’t relent. Instead, he rolled slightly off her to reach down with his free hand and tear open the front of her jeans. The same hand jerked back, sliding between the buttons of her blouse, and before she could protest, he was ripping it open. Buttons flew as his hand expertly maneuvered the front clasp of her bra leaving her breasts free in record time.

  Like a man possessed, he took one nipple into his mouth before opening wider as if to take in the whole breast in a large bite. But he didn’t bite. He suckled and teased, and his lips tugged on her for long seconds before he pulled back and slid his hand down over her rounded tummy and into her panties. “Look at me,” he growled and Sky obeyed. Her lips parted on a loud gasp when two fingers forged into her.

  York’s eyes darkened with heated lust, and his labored breathing rivaled her own as he pulled his fingers back then slowly pumped them back in.

  Sky’s desire coated his fingers, and she couldn’t tear her eyes from him as he slowly finger fucked her. She tried again to pull her arms free but couldn’t. “I…,” she began tremulously as her breathing hitched with his quickened pace. Her hips rolled involuntarily, devouring his fingers. “I-I wanna touch you.”