Kindled

by Erica Stevens

  “Will be safe. I am an Elder and Liam is a powerful vampire in his own right. If The Commission comes, they will not stay long if they realize that you are gone. They will not be a threat, neither will other vampire’s. Not when they realize that only Liam and I are here.”

  Cassie swallowed heavily, her hands clenched and unclenched as she fought the urge to scream in frustration. “And what if The Elder’s decide to come looking for us?” Melissa asked softly.

  Cassie’s eyes widened, horror filled her at the thought. Devon’s arm tightened around her as he shook his head. “The Elder’s have been in hiding for almost fifteen years, and before that they had retreated for nearly a hundred years. They will not come out now, not even for this. They hate the world, they have for centuries. They may have orchestrated and participated in The Slaughter but that was to wipe out The Hunter line…”

  “And now that they know it isn’t wiped out?” Cassie interrupted sharply.

  Devon shook his head. “It’s decimated enough not to worry them overly Cassie. They figure the rest of the vampire’s, with any sense, will eventually be able to take the remaining stragglers out. That is why I must keep you safe now.”

  Cassie looked helplessly toward Chris, Melissa, and Dani. She wished that they could come up with some other argument, some brilliant plan that none of them had thought of yet. But they looked just as dumbfounded as she felt.

  “I suppose we should pack then,” Melissa said softly.

  CHAPTER 12

  Cassie was standing by the window when he entered her room. Her hair cascaded around her; the light of the moon caused it to shimmer a silvery gold. Her arms were wrapped tight around her chest, her head bowed as she stared out at the dark night. She turned slowly toward him, her eyes haunted and lost as she watched him.

  “You will come back to me,” she said her voice a soft whisper in the room.

  Swallowing heavily, he managed a small, reassuring nod. “Always Cassie, I will always come back to you.”

  She nodded, her arms fell back to her sides. “Really?”

  He frowned at her, hating the doubt and fear he felt in her. “Of course.”

  She glanced back at the window, a sad, defeated slump to her shoulders. “You told me once that I would have to join you, or that you would have to leave me. You told me that you didn’t think you could continue to control yourself around me, and now it seems as if I will never be able to join you.”

  “We don’t know that for sure,” he said softly.

  “No, but it is a good possibility. Will you be able to stay around me?”

  He crossed the room to her swiftly. She looked up in startled surprise, her beautiful eyes widening upon him. “I was a fool to say that to you Cassie. I was wrong, and I was being selfish. I can stay with you. I will stay with you, no matter what it takes. No matter what I have to do, I will not leave you.”

  She shook her head; her long hair fell across one of her eyes to hide half her face. “I felt your need; I felt your struggle Devon. You fed from me; you were a part of me, inside of me. I know how hard it is for you to be around me, and I don’t want you to have to go through that all the time.”

  He seized hold of her hands, pulling her forward a step. Gently clasping hold of her face, he pushed her hair aside as he stroked her silken cheek. “Cassie I would go through Hell and back if it meant being by your side, and I mean that. We will get through this, I swear to you we will.”

  She bit her bottom lip nervously, her gaze fell away. “But the fight that you have to wage with yourself is…”

  “Is easier now,” he interrupted swiftly. “It is much easier now Cassie. Letting me feed on you helped to ease the hunger and need.”

  Her eyes flew back up to his, swiftly searching his face. He tried to keep his expression as impassive as he could. Though it was not entirely the truth, it was not a lie either. When she had given her blood, she had helped to ease the demon inside him. However, it would not be entirely appeased until she was by his side, safely immortal, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. Not when there was a chance that he would never be able to turn her.

  He shoved the thought aside, unable to deal with it at the moment. The monster inside of him didn’t take well to that knowledge. Neither did the man. He couldn’t stand the thought of her growing old, of her dying while he stayed young and alive. For the first time he wished that the sun’s rays were still deadly to him, because the minute he lost her, he would walk straight into them.

  “Devon…”

  “It will be ok Cassie, everything will be ok,” he promised. “Once the threat here, and to you passes, we’ll see if we can’t find some more information without drawing attention to ourselves again, ok?”

  She stared up at him with wide, questioning eyes. He could see the doubt in her gaze, but she managed a small nod. “Ok,” she said softly. “You had better keep yourself safe.”

  “I will,” he promised, bending to kiss the tip of her nose.

  Her smile widened as she stood on tiptoe. Holding his face gently in her hands she dropped a soft kiss on his lips. “Will you feed from me tonight?” she asked softly.

  Excitement spurted through him as his hands clenched upon her. The thought was so very tempting but he knew that he shouldn’t. “I don’t think that’s a good idea Cassie, it’s too soon…”

  “I feel fine, I swear. And we don’t know how long we’re going to be apart for,” her voice broke for a moment, her hands clenched on him. “It will be alright Devon, but I need this tonight, and I think you do too.”

  His jaw locked as he glanced out the window. He did need this, he needed it desperately. He needed her. He had almost lost her tonight, she had almost been killed. And there was still the very good, very awful possibility he would lose her. There were so many people, and things out there that didn’t want them together, or even want them alive. Yes, he did need this, but he didn’t want to hurt her.

  Then, she leaned up and kissed him again. The soft brush of her lips against his robbed him of all reason. He pulled her tighter against him, holding her gently. She melded to him, pressing flush to him as her legs gave out.

  He held her up, swinging her easily into his arms as she burrowed closer to him, nuzzling his neck gently. He tried to ignore the fact that this might be their last night together for awhile. If he dwelled on it too much he was afraid that he may hurt her, or snap, and change her. It was what he wanted, and what she finally wanted. And now that she wanted to be with him forever it could not be done. He didn’t know what she would become if she was changed, or even if he could stop her if she became something truly malevolent.

  The thought terrified him. For all her faults, Cassie was still everything good and loving, for that to be taken away from her was something that he could not allow to happen. No matter how badly he wanted her with him, he had to come to terms with the fact that there was a possibility it could never happen. He just didn’t want to realize that tonight.

  Tonight was simply about the two of them, and that was the way that he was going to keep it.

  He laid her down on the bed, following swiftly behind as he pulled her tightly against him once more. He lost himself in the touch and feel and scent of her as he shut out the rest of the world, and the far too many people that wanted to tear them apart.

  ***

  Cassie couldn’t stop nervously ringing her hands as she paced before her window. She glanced back at Devon, who was still sleeping, his arm tossed over the spot that she had recently vacated. Though she had only gotten a couple hours of sleep, she was wide awake. The sun would be up soon, Annabelle and Liam might also be here soon.

  She didn’t know how she felt about that. Though she didn’t want to leave here, she wanted to get this encounter over and done with. The sooner it was over, the sooner she could be with Devon again. Her skin crawled, her chest constricted at the thought of being apart from him for any significant length of time. If it hadn’t been for the irrational a
nger fueling her, she never would have made it through the two weeks without him. How would she get through it now, when she wasn’t angry?

  In fact, she was terrified. Terrified of losing him, terrified of what she was now, and what she could become. What if something happened and he wasn’t there to pull her back, and Annabelle was also unable to? She would be lost forever, a monster, a danger to everyone around her. A danger to everyone she loved. Cassie shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself as she stared down at the deserted street.

  And then there was Annabelle herself. She didn’t know how to feel about meeting the woman that had so drastically changed Devon. The woman that had made him the man he was now. Though he had never truly loved her, Annabelle had been a huge impact on his life, and she was very special to him.

  Cassie tried hard not to feel jealous, but she couldn’t help it. Leaning forward, she rested her fingers lightly against the glass of the window, enjoying the cool feel of it. Arms wrapped around her waist causing a small cry of surprise to escape her. He had been completely silent in his approach. Devon hugged her tight, pressing her back firmly against his chest. He nuzzled her neck gently, his lips brushing over the fresh marks on her neck. Cassie shivered in response, desire curled her toes. Her skin tingled all over; a feeling of rightness stole through her as his touch soothed her.

  “Are you ok?” he inquired softly.

  “Yes.”

  He ran his hands over her stomach, kissing her softly once more. “Couldn’t sleep?”

  She shook her head as she melted against him, savoring in his strength and comfort. She could stay like this forever, but they had such a short amount of time. “No.”

  He was silent as he held her, gently swaying her slightly back and forth. Lights splayed across the road, lighting the street as a vehicle turned onto it. Cassie stiffened as the silver Cadillac Escalade pulled to a stop in front of the house and doused the lights. “They’re here,” Devon said softly.

  Cassie managed a small nod, fighting back the anxiety and fear that clutched at her. “Yes.”

  The doors popped open, interior light flooded the car. “Come on.”

  Devon pulled slowly away from her, taking hold of her hand. Cassie followed silently behind; trying hard to maintain her outward composure, while inside she was falling apart. Her hand tightened around his to the point where she knew it had to be uncomfortable for him, but he did not protest, or try to pull away. They reached the top of the steps as the doorbell sounded.

  Chris appeared in the hallway, his hair disheveled from sleep, his eyes bleary as he blinked up at them. Dani poked her head out from her room. Though her short hair was standing straight up, she did not appear to have been asleep as she studied them with wide, questioning eyes. “Your friends?” she asked softly.

  “Yes,” Devon answered, tugging gently on Cassie’s hand as he started down the stairs once more.

  Cassie wanted to jerk him back, she wanted to stop him, but she couldn’t. Though she would have loved a few more minutes to get her thoughts together, and her rolling emotions under control, she knew she couldn’t leave them standing on her doorstep. They were here to help after all.

  Chris watched her, a sad gleam in his sapphire eyes. She scowled back at him, hating the fact that he could sense the nervousness, jealousy, and uncertainty tearing through her. He managed a small nod and a wan smile for her as Devon strode past, his hand still wrapped tightly around hers. She could only stare helplessly back at Chris while Devon threw the locks and pulled open the door.

  Taking a deep breath, Cassie turned her attention slowly toward the two people on her porch. Her heart plummeted as it flipped over; a thrumming tension pulsed through her. “Devon!” the young woman, Annabelle, cried. Stepping forward, she moved to embrace him, only to halt abruptly. She grinned at him, a strawberry colored eyebrow quirked in amusement as her full mouth curled into a bright smile that lit her beautiful face. Her thick, strawberry blond hair tumbled in loose curls to just below her shoulder blades.

  “Cassie.” Cassie jumped slightly as Devon turned to her, his emerald eyes gleaming with amusement. “You have to invite them in.”

  “Oh,” she said stupidly, feeling a wave of self consciousness threatening to roll up and consume her. “Of course, umm, come on in.”

  She took a step back, releasing Devon’s hand as Annabelle moved through the door, embracing Devon tightly. Cassie looked quickly away, her stomach twisting as she tried to keep her jealousy and uneasiness under control. Chris met her gaze for a moment, understanding and love radiating from him.

  “You must be Cassie.” Annabelle was suddenly before her. Cassie jolted in surprise as she clasped hold of Cassie’s hands, enfolding them gently in hers. Her sea green eyes were bright and clear, a wealth of compassion and care radiated in them. Her features were delicate and perfect; a hint of freckles spattered her tiny nose. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Cassie stared down at the woman, who was a good five inches shorter than her. She couldn’t help but return Annabelle’s radiant smile. She emitted warmth, friendship, and caring more than any person Cassie had ever met, and she couldn’t help but instantly like her. “You also,” she said softly.

  Annabelle’s smile widened, her eyes twinkled as she squeezed Cassie’s hands tight once more before letting go. The tall, slender man that had come with Annabelle stepped forward to take hold of Cassie’s hand. His dark brown hair fell in waves around his handsome, open face. His startling, oddly silver colored eyes burned into her as he studied her carefully.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” he said softly in a lilting voice that held the hint of a Midwest accent.

  “You too,” she whispered, surprised by the man with the strange silver eyes. He seemed nice and caring, but there was a shy reservation in him that didn’t seem to fit in with the open warmth that Annabelle radiated.

  “And this is Chris,” Devon said, drawing their attention away from Cassie. Chris shook hands with them, exchanging quick, pleasant greetings.

  “Where are the others?” Annabelle inquired softly.

  “Dani should be coming down soon,” Cassie said, surprised to realize that she had not followed them downstairs. “Luther and Melissa went home to pack, but they’ll be back before daybreak. Though I suppose we can’t go anywhere till night anyway.”

  “Of course we can,” Annabelle replied airily. “The windows are fully tinted so as long as I stay in the back I’ll be fine. Besides, Julian will not be able to watch us if we depart during the daylight hours.”

  Cassie felt the panic set in again as she glanced wildly at Chris, who looked just as surprised as she felt. It was too soon to leave; she had been expecting another full day in her home. At least one more day! Devon stepped closer to her; he wrapped his arms around her waist as he pulled her tight against him. He nuzzled her hair, pressing his lips gently against her ear.

  “It will be ok,” he promised.

  Cassie managed a small nod, but she couldn’t shake the knot of tension and terror that was wrapping through her chest. Annabelle was watching them closely, surprise and amusement evident in her sea green eyes. She cocked a delicate eyebrow as she turned her attention briefly to Devon.

  “I think the sooner the better,” she said softly.

  Devon’s arms tightened around Cassie for a moment before he nodded briskly. “You’re right.”

  Closing her eyes, Cassie winced slightly. She wasn’t ready to be separated from her home, let alone Devon. Her fingers clutched tighter at him, she buried her head against his chest as she simply struggled to keep on breathing. Whatever amount of time they were apart was going to be pure torture for her.

  “Hello.”

  Cassie lifted her head as Dani appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Her gold streaked eyes were slightly narrowed as she surveyed Annabelle and Liam. “Hello!” Annabelle said brightly, gliding elegantly over to the tiny girl. Cassie was surprised to realize that even with as small as Dani was, An
nabelle was smaller. Annabelle seized hold of Dani’s hands, flashing her radiant, loving smile. “And who are you?”

  Dani studied her for a moment, managing a wan smile. “Danielle,” she said softly. “But you can call me Dani.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Dani. This is my mate, Liam.”

  “Mate?” Cassie couldn’t help but inquire.

  Annabelle flashed a bright grin back at Cassie. Liam moved behind Annabelle, resting his hands lightly upon her delicate shoulders. “Yes, my mate. You haven’t explained this to her yet Devon?”

  Cassie glanced sharply at him, surprised by the hard clench of his jaw and the fierceness in his eyes as he stared hard at Annabelle. “No,” he grated.

  Annabelle’s frown intensified, her eyes became dark and turbulent as she glanced swiftly between the two of them. “I see,” she whispered.

  Cassie’s fingers tightened on him, confusion rocked through her. What was it that he hadn’t told her? What could he possibly be keeping from her? “What is a mate?” Chris inquired, confusion marring his forehead as he glanced worriedly between Cassie and Devon.

  “It is what a vampire takes, or the bond that they create, when they find the person, or vampire, that they wish to spend eternity with. It is a very profound experience.” Annabelle’s eyebrows were furrowed with worry as she met Devon’s gaze again. “And it is binding.”

  “So, it’s like, vampire marriage?” Chris asked in surprise. “Cause that sounds a little strange.”

  “And why is that?” Liam inquired in a low, gravelly tone.

  Chris shrugged; he ran his hand through his hair as he tugged nervously at it. “I don’t know. I mean you’re dead and all, and you do live forever, seems a little strange that you would want to be with the same person that whole time. Hell, I can barely contemplate thirty years with the same person, never mind an eternity with them.”

  “Chris!” Cassie scolded shaking her head at him. What Annabelle was describing seemed like a very intense, private experience. It didn’t sound like something that should be taken lightly, or mocked. And it sounded like something that she desperately wanted to experience with Devon.