She evaded the gun, but the swift movement ripped her bulging skin, blood gushing out along with shrapnel. She let out a gasp, and clutched at her gaping skin, murmuring words.
Terian struggled again to a sitting position, hissing in pain, his chest bleeding badly. Leri threw more lightning she’d gathered, but Terian blocked it, a glass sphere forming out of the air to encircle the energy. In a blurred movement, Terian seized and threw the sphere at her, the lightning crackling inside. It hit Leri in the throat, the sphere shattering. Leri convulsed, electrified, then toppled backward without a sound. With a moan, Terian lost consciousness, collapsing back to the muddy ground.
I leapt to my feet, panicked. Terian’s phone was a mess of fried plastic. There was no one around. The storm continued around us, raging, the wind howling now. There was zero visibility outside the pavilion.
I kneeled beside Terian. He was breathing was labored. The huge hole in his chest was still bleeding, and not healing. When I tried to put pressure on the wound, I let out a yelp, rubbing my hands vigorously. Damn it, his blood was steaming hot, and so was he.
“Wake up,” I said hysterically, shaking Terian. “I can’t deal with this alone, I need your help. God, why couldn’t we be back at Danial’s house—!”
In an instant, Terian and I were in Danial’s living room, staring in shock at Aran. Aran let out a surprised yell.
“Danial!” I screamed. “Danial!”
Danial was through his office door and at my side in moments, already dialing Theo. “Hurry, Terian’s hurt.”
“He needs food!” I yelled hysterically. “We need meat!”
Aran ran into the kitchen and came back with some raw meat. He tried to drip some blood in Terian’s mouth, but he was unresponsive. The smell of sulfur from his torn flesh was noxious, sickening me.
“Terian!” I yelled, shaking him again.
Theo slammed open the front door, and then he was kneeling beside us, his expression worried. He shot a glance at Danial, and then offered his wrist. Danial nodded once, and took Theo’s wrist, biting down hard with his fangs, and tearing it open. Blood spurted out, and Theo put his wrist into Terian’s mouth, using his other hand to hold up Terian’s head so he didn’t choke. A few seconds passed, and then Terian bit down on Theo’s wrist, drinking greedily. Theo grimaced in pain, but made no sound.
Terian’s chest wound closed in a few minutes, until his chest was unbroken flesh through the bloody hole in his shirt. Terian opened his eyes, looking with surprise at us all gathered around him. He pulled his mouth from Theo’s arm, leaving a ragged wound. “Thanks.”
Theo hissed with pain, and leaned back from Terian, cradling his arm. “You’re welcome. Now what the hell happened? I didn’t even know you’d gone anywhere.”
“How did we get back?” Terian said, looking curiously at me.
I shrugged. “I thought you teleported us.”
“It wasn’t me who got us back.”
“Well, it wasn’t me,” I said defensively. “I can’t teleport.”
“It had to be you,” Terian said slowly, looking at me as if I were something dangerous.
Danial rose to his feet. “Stay put, both of you.” He went into the bathroom to wash the wereblood out of his mouth. Theo followed him to clean off the blood on him, his wound already healed.
As I got up to wash the blood off me too, Terian grabbed my arm. “Sar, there’s demon blood in you. I don’t know why I didn’t scent it, but—”
“Terian, just rest,” I said calmly. “You almost died. We can talk about this later.”
He got to his feet, swaying a little. “No. We have to know what happened, how you did it—” He staggered.
When I reached to steady him, I noticed the bloodstains still on my hands. “Maybe this did it?” I said, showing him. “I tried to stop your bleeding. Your blood was burning hot.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. His blood came off easily with warm water and soap, leaving my hands clean. “You’re okay, you aren’t burned.”
Something was off about that. It should be harder for me to get off Terian’s blood...
“You have the same scent you’ve always had,” Terian said, confused. “Maybe you’re part something else? Other supernatural races can learn teleportation, with a lot of hard work—”
“I haven’t done any work,” I replied flatly. “I tell you it wasn’t me.”
“Demon blood can penetrate human skin, given enough time,” Terian said slowly. “It’s a powerful mutagen. But we got it off you, and there wasn’t very much on your hands—”
“Not today,” I said, my face whitening. “But there was a lot years ago, when you fought Danial.”
Terian looked at me, aghast. “What?”
“I gathered up your weapons after the fight. I carried them inside, and washed them off. The blade and stake cleaned off fine, but your blood wouldn’t wash off my hands. I scrubbed my hands almost raw getting it off.” Suddenly, I had a headache, the pain at the edges of my mind reaching like tendrils inside my skull to influence my thoughts. I rubbed my temples.
“You rubbed it into your skin,” Terian said heavily. “Why did you have to go out and get the weapons? Why couldn’t you leave them there?”
“I was protecting you,” I retorted. “Theo and Danial wanted to kill you then, remember?”
Theo came in to the kitchen, Danial on his heels. “Sar, what happened?”
“Devlin’s sorceress, Leri, attacked us. She said she was Terian’s mother. Titus is his father.”
Danial’s mouth dropped open, but he quickly recovered. “I’ll call him,” he said. “If he tells Titus about Terian, Leri will give up her attacks.” He left the room.
As I resisted the urge to grab the nearest phone to listen in, Theo said, “How were you able to get back?”
“Sar has been infected with demon blood,” Terian said, resigned. “She got exposed to mine that night Danial and I fought, years ago. She gathered up our weapons—”
“How was I to know there was something to fear?” I interrupted angrily. “As I recall, you didn’t say anything that night about it. Danial had Terian’s blood all over him and he wasn’t upset—”
“Danial is vampire—” Terian began.
“That’s not news,” Danial said as he came in, his phone pressed to his ear. “What’s the matter?”
“Sar got my blood on her that night you and I fought. Did you know that?” Terian said.
Danial went still. “Shit.”
“What is the matter with all of you?” I yelled. “Tell me what is so bad about getting a little demon blood on your skin if you’re human!”
Danial handed me the phone. “Devlin said he’d be glad to tell you, Sar.”
SHIT. I couldn’t refuse the phone, or Theo and Terian would know that something was not right. I looked at it like a live electric wire that was sparking and ready to electrocute me. Gingerly, I reached out and took it. “Hello?”
“Sar,” Devlin’s voice rolled out of the phone like music. “I’ve missed you.”
I shut my eyes so no one could see the desire that was forming in them, however weakly, and then walked into the other room with the phone, trying to find my own voice.
“Shall I sing to you, my lover?” Devlin purred. “I would do other things, but you are not in reach—”
“Just tell me what you have to tell me about the demon blood,” I whispered.
“But lover, I miss you,” he purred teasingly, lust threaded through every word. “Give me just a few kind words. Say you’ll—”
I heard the kitchen extension pick up. “Devlin, what’s the deal?” Theo asked. “I know demon blood can corrupt, but Sar’s not any different than she used to be when I first met her.”
Devlin had stopped speaking the instant he’d heard Theo pick up. In his normal voice, he said, “It can corrupt, but that’s pure demon blood, like Titus’s. Half demon blood would be much less potent, Theo. I don’t
think you need to worry, especially if it’s been years since exposure.”
Danial picked up another extension. “You’re sure there’s no danger?”
“It possibly could change her, but that would have happened years ago,” Devlin said. “It wouldn’t suddenly manifest itself now.”
“But what if the small re-exposure to my blood today altered her further?” said Terian, talking on another extension.
“Has she tried to teleport again and succeeded?” Devlin asked. “That would seem the best course of action to try first, before having hysterics.”
“Dev’s right,” Danial said. “You don’t know that you didn’t just do it, Terian, when you were badly injured. We’ll have Sar try again in the great room shortly. Thanks, Dev.”
“Yes, thanks for your help, Dev...lin,” I said quickly and hung up.
A few moments later, I stood in the middle of the great room, Terian, Theo, and Danial watching.
“What do I do?” I asked Terian.
“You need to want to go somewhere, Sar. When you think about it, picture the place in your mind. You can say words to focus yourself, but what matters is your concentration.”
I concentrated, and tried to put myself out on the lawn. Nothing happened.
“Where are you trying to go?” Terian asked, after a minute.
“Just to the front lawn,” I said. “But nothing’s happening.”
“Try again,” he encouraged. “That shouldn’t be difficult at all.”
I tried again. Nothing happened. “I think it had to be you.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Terian said, shrugging. “I did want to escape, and I was thinking that I had to get you out of there, had to get us back here somehow. Maybe I did do it.”
“Try once more, Sar,” Danial interrupted.
I concentrated with all my might for several minutes. Nothing happened, other than my headache getting worse. “I give up,” I said irritably.
“Terian must have done it,” Theo said, coming to stand beside me. “If Sar could do it, take both of them across that great a distance, she would have no problem taking herself a few feet.”
“Yes,” Danial agreed. “Sar, why don’t you go home early today with Theo? It’s already been a harrowing day, and you’ve got blood all over your clothes. Terian, you take the rest of the day, too. I’ve only got one conference call to take later tonight. The foxes can handle security.”
“Thanks,” Terian said, and vanished.
“It can’t be easy to be him,” I said sadly. “That Leri is a world class bitch.”
“She is,” Danial agreed. “Devlin said he would talk to Titus about what happened. He hadn’t known about any of this either. Apparently, Titus and Leri have been staying at his home in Hayden for the past few months to take care of the place and work out some problems. Dev gave them until the end of the year.”
“Those two are always fighting,” Theo scoffed. “It’s a wonder they find the time to work at all.”
“This might be a good thing, odd as that probably sounds to you both,” Danial said. “Terian had no family and now he does. I know how I feel about my brother, despite his actions.” Danial caught my eye pointedly, then looked away.
“Maybe you’re right,” Theo said, shrugging. “Maybe he can connect with his father, have someone to be close to. Titus’s reputation is not bad, all things considered.”
But would Terian want to? His human mother had been terrible, could his demon father be any better?
“Let’s go,” Theo said, touching my arm. “Or those stains are never going to come out.”
“He’s right,” I said, grimacing. “Danial, can I put these in your washer now and borrow some clothes to drive home in?”
Danial nodded to me. “If you want to undress in the bathroom, I’ll give Theo some clothes to bring you.”
A few moments later, I was dressed in a simple dark blue cotton dress from one of Danial’s trunks, and my dirty clothes were washing. “Thanks,” I said, hugging him. “I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”
“No rush,” he murmured, hugging me back. “You look lovely. You’re sure you’re really okay? You aren’t hurt?”
“Yes, but I’d like to know if Dev is going to take care of Leri. She mentioned erasing my memories like it was nothing. I don’t want to have her coming back for another try.”
“I’ll find out,” he said, then darted in for a quick kiss.
“What are you doing?” I said, trying to frown and not smile.
Danial gave me a satisfied smile. “Stealing a kiss, of course.” He helped me put on my coat and shoes. “Watch your words, Sar. Devlin, not Dev.”
Flustered, I nodded, then quickly went outside to the truck where Theo was waiting.
* * * *
Later that night, I reclined in front of the merrily burning woodstove, dressed in layers of polar fleece. Theo brought me a cup of hot chocolate with steam wafting from it, then sat down beside me.
“Thanks. You know, you’re the perfect husband,” I said, leaning into him.
“I know,” he said, prideful. He gave me a quick kiss, then slipped his hands under my shirt. “I know a way you can be the perfect wife.”
I smiled back at him. “I’m already a pretty good wife.”
He stopped, startled. “I know you’re a good wife, Sar,” he said awkwardly. “Better than I deserve—”
A slap of guilt hit me. I pushed it down. “Hey, I—”
“—and I think you’re wonderful.” He slid his hand under my bra, cupping my breasts. “Are you too tired?”
I put my cup on the floor before I dropped it, my body shaking slightly under his touch, a soft sigh escaping my lips before they met his. “No.”
* * * *
That Thanksgiving, per custom, Elle and I went to my parent’s home. Theo accompanied us.
My inner turmoil overshadowed this happy event. In the past week, my passionate nature had evaporated, my desire withering to almost nothing. This terrified me, to see Theo and not want him as I always had. I’d never been one to forgo sex, or to fake an orgasm. But Theo’s appetites hadn’t changed as mine had. Before much longer, I’d likely have to do one or the other.
This pressure made me nervous, especially around my family. I didn’t want them to know anything was wrong. Adding to that, Theo, Elle, and I were heading to Danial’s after this dinner, to celebrate there. It was a good bet the werecreatures in attendance would all be able to scent how upset I was, and figure out the cause. Even if they couldn’t, Danial would before I’d finished my first sentence.
This stress led to me having two glasses of wine before dinner even started. As we enjoyed a wonderful meal, I continued to drink, finishing my third glass just as dinner ended. I was laughing, having a great time and not thinking of anything but that.
How drunk I was quickly became apparent after a game of Ping-Pong with my stepfather. No matter how I lunged, the ball was never where it was supposed to be. When my stepfather bounced a ball off my forehead, I conceded defeat. Handing off the paddle to Elle, I sat down on the couch, out of breath and dizzy.
“Theo, here’s your pie,” my mother said, handing him a plate. “Sar, you want some?”
“No,” I said, smiling weakly. “I’ve had enough.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Theo said, giving her a smile. As she walked off happily, he turned serious. “What’s wrong?”
“Mom,” Elle said. “Should we bring some home for Theoron? He
didn’t—”
I blanched. “No,” I said sharply, praying if she were overheard they’d think she meant Theopolis.
“Elle, go help your grandmother in the kitchen,” Theo said kindly. “Remember what we all talked about.”
Elle nodded angrily, then left.
Theo turned back to me. “We should go. She’s not going to keep quiet for long in that mood.”
“You’re right. We should go,” I replied, standing up.
Though my parents
protested, we were soon on the way to Danial’s house. I sagged back into the seat with relief.
“What’s wrong with you?” Elle asked, worried. “You’re upset.”
I hadn’t wanted to tell her, but suddenly that added strain was too much. “Elle, I’m going through something right now,” I said, turning in my seat to look at her. “I should be okay in another month, but right now I’m stressed out.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Elle repeated, concerned.
“I was with Danial for so long,” I said finally. “He was turning me, though he didn’t mean to. I’ve been acting oddly because my body wants to keep turning, and I’m fighting it.”
“Will you get better?” Elle said, tears forming in her eyes.
“Yes,” I said, reaching back to clasp her hand. “I’m going to be fine, Elle. It’s just taking me a while to go back to how I was when you first came to live with me.”
She held my hand tight. “You promise you’ll be okay?”
“Yes,” I said, putting all the hope I had into that one word. “I’ll be fine.”
She sat back, satisfied. I did the same, quickly falling asleep. When I awoke, we were at Danial’s home.
Elle promptly got out and ran up the stairs. “Dad!”
Danial was there, waiting for her with open arms. He steeled himself at the last moment, catching her as she leapt into his arms.
The sight of him filled me with sudden hunger.
“Did you have a good time?” Danial asked Elle, smoothing some hair out of her eyes. “We should trim your bangs later.”
“Mom and I are going next week to get them cut, and her hair, too.”
Danial’s rich dark eyes fastened on me, his stare caressing. “How are you, Sar?”
I needed him. I wanted him. I had to get him closer...
“She’s fine,” Theo said gruffly, stepping between us. “Go ahead in. We’ll be in shortly.”
“Danial,” I called softly, knowing he’d hear the invitation. “Come to me.”
Danial began walking towards me, but Theo shoved him hard, knocking him back a step. “Don’t go to her,” he growled. “She’s had too much alcohol.”
Danial looked for a moment as if he’d go through Theo, then relaxed. He turned to Elle, who was staring at us, her blue eyes wide and scared. “Go inside. We’ll be in shortly.”
Her Secret Page 10
