Marked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  He held her tight, shoved himself home, and exploded.

  Finally, she gasped against him, her body going lax. Her nose snuggled into his neck, while her hair curtained his face.

  Contentment whirled through him, almost hinting at peace. The feelings boiling inside him, the dark and dangerous spurs a vampire felt for his mate, the desperate need to protect and defend, nearly suffocated him. She was everything. He ran a hand down her damp back.

  She sucked in air. “I think you killed me.”

  He smiled and hugged her tight. “We’re just getting started.” They had one night together, and he wanted to savor every second. Remaining connected to her, he stood and glanced around. “Which way to the bedroom?”

  Chapter 18

  Janie snuggled deeper into the heat of Zane, her mind at peace for the first time in weeks. Months maybe. For so many years she’d wondered about him. The reality was better than any fantasy.

  The man hogged the bed. Just knowing that intimate detail about him rushed warmth through her. He sprawled without a care in the world, a powerful animal at rest.

  She turned on her side to study him in the scattered moonlight.

  Hard features, straight nose, solid jaw. The scar lining the right side of his face added to the sense of danger cascading off him.

  His features failed to soften even in sleep.

  Possessiveness swept her as she slid a dark piece of hair off his forehead. Hers. For the moment, for the night, Zane Kyllwood was hers. A part of her had always claimed him, and she’d accepted that truth years ago, regardless of where fate pushed them.

  He’d shoved the bedclothes down to his waist, and she took a moment to appreciate his muscled chest. Warm, smooth strength filled her palm as she caressed him.

  Even after a wild night in which he’d showed her passion she’d never dreamed about, her body wanted him. Maybe not with the hard edge of hunger she’d felt earlier, but with enough of a yearning to give her pause.

  She wanted more than the night.

  There had to be a way to end the war and find peace.

  Sighing, she snuggled closer and slid her thigh over his, her hand over his heart, and her nose into his neck.

  He murmured and tucked an arm around her, providing warmth and protection.

  She liked that.

  Fate and destiny had held enough power over Janie for this lifetime, and she was done waiting for the sky to fall. Taking several deep breaths, she slid into the meditative state she’d perfected so long ago.

  Her body went lax as her mind created a safe haven on a long wooden dock surrounded by calm waters. Misty, beautiful, gray waters.

  “Fate? ” Janie called out, having met the gorgeous woman in a dreamland before. It was time the elusive creature showed up and helped out.

  Not even the water lapped or made a noise.

  Nothing. Janie turned toward the shore as the mist parted.

  Kalin.

  Janie glanced down at the yoga outfit she’d naturally donned when creating the world. Once again, she faced a predator in vulnerable clothing. Maybe she should wear combat gear in the pretend worlds.

  At the thought, her lips twitched.

  Kalin strode through the fog, the medals across his breast appearing dingy in the colorless day. His boot steps thunked against the worn dock as he drew near.

  She took a deep breath. “Kalin.”

  He half-bowed. “Janet. Ready to broker peace?”

  “I’d love to broker peace,” she said quietly, her mind beginning to spin. “How about you?”

  He lifted his aristocratic features to the damp air and sniffed. His eyes morphed from green to purple and back again. “What did you fucking do?” he growled as sharp fangs dropped low.

  She gasped. The Kurjan had never really shown emotion before, and to see him furious shot adrenaline through her veins in a warning to flee.

  Yet she held her ground. There was no way he could scent her mating in the dream world. “Excuse me?”

  “You mated that demon,” Kalin spat.

  Damn. The Kurjan had always owned his own gifts in the dream worlds. “Can you smell things here?” she asked, without thinking.

  “Yes.” He shoved his large-boned hands in his pockets. “I can smell the stench of vampire-demon mixed with your normally sweet peaches scent.”

  She swallowed, looking closely. The soldier didn’t seem hurt . . . only furious. “Since this is a done deal, how about we end the war now before either one of us loses more people. You care about your people, right?”

  His gaze turned cold—far harder than he’d ever looked before. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”

  Her own temper began to stir. “I know exactly what I’ve done. Fate didn’t make my choices . . . I did.”

  Kalin scoffed. “Bullshit.” He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair, his gaze cutting to the foggy forest. “I suppose this part of the story was inevitable. Just remember, when you decide you need help, I’m here.”

  She blinked, an ominous shiver winding down her spine. “Why would I need help?”

  He shook his head. “Do you really not believe I’ve covered every contingency? My people have had plans in motion before your birth.”

  She stepped back, her breath accelerating. “Tell me what is going to happen.”

  Sorrow twisted his blood-red lips. “I tried to protect you, but you’ll have to endure so much now before you become mine. For that, I truly am sorry.”

  She shook her head. “I mated Zane and can’t ever become yours. You know that.”

  “No.” Kalin turned and began to stride down the dock toward the shrouded forest. At the tree line, he turned around, his gaze nearly glowing in the dim light. “Your mating only changes the timeline, not the outcome.” With a slight shrug, he turned and disappeared.

  Janie rubbed her nose, suddenly freezing. What had the Kurjan been talking about? A hard ball of dread slammed into her stomach.

  She could handle this.

  Taking several deep breaths, she pulled herself out of the dream world and into reality.

  Heat. God. So much heat. She burrowed into Zane’s body, her mind spinning. No psychic vision tingled in her brain—no warning of the problems to come. In fact, she hadn’t had a decent vision since her birthday.

  Even so . . . she knew the problems would arrive. Soon.

  Zane tugged down his combat vest and ignored the itch between his shoulder blades. “I’m ready.”

  Dage nodded from behind the control window. “All set.”

  Zane slid his finger across his smartphone, and Nicholas Veis popped up. “Nick. I saw you called earlier.” In truth, Zane had ignored the call so the king could control the frequency.

  Nick nodded, no expression crossing his face. “Yes. Status?”

  Zane forced a smile. “I’m sure you’ve heard my status. I have my mother and brothers locked down in a safe location. Suri can’t fucking touch me.”

  Nick nodded. “Sounds like a dumbass move.”

  Dumbass. Their code word for “all hell has broken loose.”

  Zane rubbed his chin. “I know, but getting my family to safety has always been my priority.” He kept his tone genial and serious for those listening in. But a quick nod hopefully conveyed he’d received Nick’s distress call and knew all about Simone Brightston being taken.

  “What’s your plan now?” Nick asked.

  Zane shrugged, trying to appear unconcerned. “I thought maybe I’d just sit out the rest of the war and let it end. Want to meet up in Cabo for drinks and barmaids?”

  Nick’s smile seemed forced. “Mexico is too warm for a full-bred demon, you know. Let’s go somewhere cooler and relax.”

  So Simone was being kept close by. Zane chuckled. “Fair enough. When shall we meet?”

  “Actually, how about you meet me at the Idaho compound and we work to end the war.” Nick leaned closer to the camera on his end. “Suri wants the same thing we do—let’s just get

it done and then go on our way.”

  Zane feigned a frown. “Suri wants my head on a platter now that I have my family safe.”

  “No. I talked to him and can guarantee your safety. As you know, he needs your skills in battle now more than ever. Come home, and we’ll plan together.” Nick would’ve been convincing had Zane not known the truth.

  “Are you sure?” Zane pretended to waffle.

  “Absolutely.” Nick glanced down and then back up. “Meet me in an hour. You have my word you’ll be safe.”

  Zane nodded. “I’ll be there.” He clicked off. Slowly, he stood and waited for the king to enter the room. “I have to go. Suri will kill Nick and Simone if I don’t.”

  Dage nodded. “I know, but you’re not going alone.”

  Talen and Conn stepped into the room, both dressed for war.

  Zane straightened his shoulders. “I’m not taking you.” God. All he needed was Realm vampires in the way.

  “Too bad.” Talen shoved an arm through Zane’s. “Don’t fucking put me into a tree.”

  Conn clasped Dage’s arm. “We’ll meet you thirty yards to the north of Suri’s Idaho headquarters. Let’s do this.” They disappeared.

  Shit. Zane shook his head. The damn Kayrs family. How the hell had they found Suri’s headquarters? Drawing deep through his feet, he made peace with the universe and began to bend her laws.

  He had to get there before the king did.

  Zane maneuvered through time and space, acutely aware of the massive vampire riding his wave. Talen weighed a freakin’ ton, and Zane had to actually fight the laws of physics to transport him.

  Finally, they landed flat on their backs on snowy, muddy pine needles.

  Talen groaned and rolled over. “Nice finesse.”

  Zane jumped to his feet. “Not my fault you’re heavier than a truck.” He stretched his back and rolled his neck, feeling like he’d been through a meat grinder. His hands trembled, so he shoved them in his pockets.

  Dage and Conn dropped next to them. On their feet.

  Talen smirked.

  Zane ignored him and eyed the cloudy sky. “I have a cache of weapons stashed a mile to the north.”

  Dage growled. “Then why did we land here?”

  “Because you took off before I could tell you,” Zane responded without heat. For some reason, he understood the Kayrs family. His father would’ve liked them.

  Dage rubbed his chin. “You’re right. Sorry.”

  Zane blinked. “No worries. This way.” He turned and jogged through the forest while three vampires followed behind him.

  War made for odd allies. Or was it the war? He and Janie were always meant to be, as far as he was concerned. Even if their mating was short-lived.

  For the first time in a long, time, he wondered. Was there a way to survive his destiny?

  They reached the hidden trunk and quickly suited up with knives, laser guns, and automatic rifles.

  Dage glanced up. “No Degoller Stars?”

  “No. Banned by treaty,” Zane returned.

  Dage nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Will Suri abide by the treaty?”

  “No.” Zane shoved one more knife in his boot. “So watch your heads.” Then he turned and led the way toward the abandoned town.

  Vibrations of power filtered on the breeze.

  Talen growled.

  Yeah, demons and vampires didn’t usually mix. Zane paused at the tree line. “Stay away from anybody with more than five medals on their chest. You can’t handle the backlash for killing one of the elite.”

  Arrogance lifted Dage’s eyebrow. “I’ve killed demons.”

  “None of these.” Zane dug deep for patience. “Killing one of these will send out a mental shock wave strong enough to fry your brain.”

  “Bullshit,” Conn muttered.

  Zane shrugged. “Believe me or not. Your choice.”

  Dage eyed the quiet building. “I have heard stories. If this is true, can you shield against Suri if you kill him?”

  “Yes,” Zane lied. Something down deep told him the king would sacrifice himself for Janie’s mate if necessary, and Zane couldn’t let him do it. If anybody had a sliver of a chance of healing from Suri’s unleashed powers, it was a demon like Zane.

  No vampire would ever survive.

  “I’ll take the interior. Wait for my signal.” Without looking back, Zane hustled through the early morning and climbed the outside of the whorehouse. He reached the balcony and slipped inside an abandoned bedroom.

  A gun cocked.

  He stilled.

  Nick walked out from behind an oriental dressing screen, his weapon pointed at Zane’s head. “I’m sorry.”

  Suri shoved open the door and stomped inside, a Degoller Star in his hand. “Bind him.”

  Nick zip-tied Zane’s wrists before frisking him head to toe and finding every damn weapon.

  Zane growled. “Traitor.”

  Nick shrugged. “Says who?”

  Suri tucked his gun at the back of his waist and stepped into Zane’s space. He inhaled, his nostrils flaring. “You mated the human bitch.”

  Fire ripped through Zane’s blood. “Watch how you talk about my mate.”

  Suri growled. “Considering she’s dead in about an hour, you might want to lose the posturing.”

  Zane’s head jerked up. Dread whipped down his spine. “What are you doing?”

  Nick sighed. “The trap is a bit bigger than just you. We’re taking your mate right about now.”

  God. The king and two of his brothers waited harmlessly outside for Zane’s signal, leaving Realm headquarters three soldiers down.

  “Why, Nick?” Zane asked, his gaze remaining on his uncle.

  Suri snarled in a parody of a smile. “I have the only person Nick has ever cared about secured in a concrete cell lined with phanakite three stories down.”

  A muscle in Nick’s jaw twitched. “And here I thought we called it planekite. Did you get that, Zane?”

  It had been surprisingly easy to discover Simone’s location. Suri was losing his edge. Zane nodded and threw himself into his buddy, yanking power up through his toes.

  Lights flashed in wild succession as they tumbled through time and space to land in the dungeon below.

  Zane landed on his back, and Nick fell into the wall.

  God. Air. Zane needed air. He gasped in, his kidneys and spleen swelling with pain. At some point, he’d figured the numerous jumps would catch up to him. Apparently that time was now. Slowly, he rolled to his feet, his gut lurching. He ripped open the ties binding him.

  Nick grasped metal bars to pull himself up. “Simone?” he called.

  The witch paced the small cell, her features pale, her eyes a wild black. “Get me out of here.” Her voice emerged weak.

  Zane glanced at the walls. Yep. Pure phanakite—the mineral that negated a witch’s powers. If ingested, the harmless looking sparkles could maim or kill.

  Nick growled and aimed a well-placed kick against the metal lock. The door swung open.

  Men shouted far above, and heavy boot steps pounded down the stairs.

  Nick tugged Simone from the cell and shoved her into Zane’s arms. “Take her.”

  “No.” Simone struggled against him, but she hadn’t regained her strength, and Zane easily overpowered her. She tried to reach for Nick, who shook his head.

  Bodies fell down the stairs, landing hard. The King of the Realm straddled a demon and neatly sliced off his head. A smattering of power rushed out. Dage turned, blood sliding out of his left eye.

  “Hi, Simone,” he said.

  Simone winced and nodded. “King.”

  An explosion rocked the building, spinning shards of wood and Sheetrock down. One cut into Zane’s neck, and he grimaced. Damn good thing the dead demon hadn’t had much power.

  Nick punched Zane in the arm. “Get the hell out of here.”

  Zane tried to catch his breath and reduce his internal injuries as he focused on the king through the raining debris. “Get to headquarters. Big trap.”

  Dage’s eyes shot silver through the blue. “I’ll grab my brothers and meet you there.”

  Zane ducked as a beam slammed into his shoulder.

  Dage paused. “You align with us.”

  Zane lifted his chin, fate clicking into place. “Go. Now.” He’d worry about alliances later. Right now survival mattered more.

  Another explosion ripped through the day, and a body fell from above, slamming Nick to the ground. His head thunked against the cement, and blood sprayed.

  Simone cried out and reached for him.

  With a growl, Zane tucked Simone close and manacled his buddy’s arm. If he was aligning with the Realm, he was taking his one friend with him. Before Nick could fight him off, he ripped open a portal and crawled through.

  Chapter 19

  Janie finished patching up two young vampires who’d thought to experiment with rocket fuel and laser bullets. Burns marred their arms, but those would soon heal.

  Their pride was another matter.

  Garrett had put out the fire and hustled both boys into the infirmary and now leaned back against a wall of cupboards, his arms crossed, his face cold.

  He didn’t have to be such a tough taskmaster. Janie’s heart ached for the two wounded kids.

  She patted one on the back. “It’s okay, Freddie. You should’ve seen Garrett when he first learned how to blow things up.” Truth be told, it was a miracle headquarters still stood.

  Garrett shot her a look.

  The teenager grinned. “I’ve heard. But, ah, don’t tell my mom, okay?”

  Janie bit back a grin. “No worries. Doctor-patient privilege and all of that.” The kids had learned their lesson, so she figured they’d be safe for a while.

  The two patients hopped off the tables and hurried from the room, no doubt heading to find something to eat. Protein always helped immortals to heal.

  Prophet Guiles sauntered inside, his wrinkled silk pants matching his hangdog expression. Two guards reached the doorway and turned to protect the exit. “I cut myself,” Guiles muttered.

  Janie glanced down at the deep slice across his forearm. “So heal yourself.” Since the bastard had tried to turn Prophet Lily over to their enemies the previous month, Janie hadn’t had much use for him.

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