Provoked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  The girl’s fear slammed Kane right between the eyes. His heart kicked into gear, and heat ran along his skin. Taking several deep breaths, he drew enough of a shield into place to block some of the fear. He needed to think, and feelings got in the way of thought. His mind cleared while his heart slowed down. “Tell me more about the faces.”

  “I didn’t recognize the faces—they didn’t seem real,” Janie whispered. Her gaze dropped to her hands. “I felt him. He’s . . . drifting away.”

  Chills cascaded down Kane’s spine. “Jase is strong—he’ll survive.”

  “Maybe.” Doubt clouded her eyes when she looked up. “Mentally, he’s almost done fighting. I could feel him letting go.”

  Kane leaned forward. “But you know he’s alive. Jase is alive, and that gives us hope. We need hope, Janie.” A stone lodged into Kane’s gut. The world was classically unfair to make this precious twenty-year-old child see and feel such despair. If he could take the feelings from her, or teach her to shield herself from them, he’d do so in a heartbeat.

  Janie reached out to hold his hands and closed her eyes. “Help me get it out of my head.”

  Kane scrutinized her pale face. “Deep breaths. One, two, three . . .” He counted to twenty and back down, helping center the girl into almost a hypnotic state. “Now, when you open your eyes, you’ll feel refreshed and full of peace. Open your eyes, now.”

  Deep blue eyes flashed open, clear and calm. She smiled and released him. “Thanks, Uncle Kane.” She stood and tugged her threadbare Snoopy shirt into place before stretching her back with a soft sigh. A quick peck on his cheek reassured him and he grinned. Graceful steps propelled her across the room to the door. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  He frowned after her, his mind kicking awake. Janie usually wanted to chat after a meditating session and had never hustled off before. “How odd.” With his own sigh, he tried to turn back to the papers, but his mind kept going to his niece.

  What was that girl up to?

  CHAPTER 20

  Janie hustled through the underground hallways, her mind calm and her body relaxed. She knew she could count on Uncle Kane to get her in the right state of mind. Oh, she’d been having the visions of Jase for some time now and hadn’t thought sharing them would help anyone. But Kane liked to be in the know, so she’d been meaning to tell him anyway. She’d just waited for the right time.

  Arriving at her quarters, she shoved open the door to an empty living room. A thick green couch and two matching seats faced a huge television mounted in the wall. A walkway to the left led to the kitchen, a hallway to the right to the bedrooms. Plants of all different kinds took residence on tables and furniture throughout the entire apartment. Her mother did love a nice jungle wherever she found herself living. Of course, so did Janie.

  Gliding inside, she settled herself on a chair and crossed her legs, perching her hands on the armrests. Several deep breaths returned her to the hypnotic state Kane had just created for her.

  Drawing deep, she threw herself out of reality.

  Her feet padded on a rough trail while jungle surrounded the path. Thick leaves bigger than her father’s hands swayed in the gentle breeze while birds twittered high above. Rain filtered down, but only in drips. Interesting that her imagination had created a jungle; she’d have to watch her thoughts before trying this again.

  For years she’d created a dream world to meet friends, and now it was time to up the gift. Time to meet on her timeline.

  A stick cracked behind her and she whirled around.

  Zane Kyllwood stood on the trail, his stance set, his gaze sweeping the area. He wore dark jeans and a green T-shirt that matched his amazing eyes. In the two years since they’d seen each other, he’d grown even more, probably topping out at six-foot-six. His black hair had been cut short, and the scar leading from his forehead to his left ear had faded slightly.

  Janie stilled to show she wasn’t a threat. “We’re the only people here.”

  He kept his hand on the knife handle protruding from a sheath strapped to his leg. “This feels different.”

  “It is.” She spoke softly, trying to reassure him. “I’m awake. Well, kind of. I’m meditating.”

  “But I’m asleep.” He cocked his head to the side, prominent dark eyebrows emphasizing his rapidly narrowing eyes. His eyes were set deep, his cheekbones high, his jawline strong. “Explain.”

  For the first time, he truly looked like a warrior. In all the years they’d met in dreams, she’d known he’d grow up to fight. But she’d never seen him so distant—as if it weren’t the two of them against the world anymore. Sure, with the six-year difference in their ages, he’d stopped visiting her while she was younger, but she was an adult now. There was no reason not to meet each other. Or was there?

  She eyed him. “I’ve learned to meditate and thought if I tried hard enough, I’d be able to reach you this way.”

  “What else?” He released the knife handle.

  “You saved my life once.” She’d been in a coma four years ago and had sought out Zane, who’d given her blood in a dream and healed her. Nobody else on earth could’ve done that. He had powers none of them could understand. “I’m not sure, but when you gave me blood, I think it connected us somehow.”

  He rubbed his head, his upper lip twisting. “I saved your life, and now you’re using my blood against me? Really, Belle?”

  The nickname didn’t warm her like it used to. The first time they’d met, when they were just children, he’d determined that “Janet Isabella” was too grown up for her and decided to call her “Janie Belle.” He’d shortened the nickname to “Belle” some time ago, and he used to say it with affection.

  She shook her head. “No. I just wanted to see if it worked. There has to be a reason we’ve been connected for so many years, Zane. You know this war comes down to you, Kalin, and me.” The outcome of the war might affect the entire planet.

  Zane rubbed his short hair. “There’s no way the three of us will work together—you know that. So, we’re working separately. All of us.”

  The man just didn’t understand. She studied him, her gaze going to the masculine lines of his neck. There was something about the cords along the sides of a tough guy’s neck that had always intrigued her—Zane was no exception. Tingles set up in her stomach. “I always thought you and I would work together. Where are you?” Rather, who was he? But one question at a time.

  He looked at her in silence.

  Man, he’d changed. Years ago, he could pass as human. Not now. No way would a human mistake the obvious predator lurking beneath his smooth skin. Seconds ago the dark foliage had dominated the area—now he did. He went beyond handsome to dangerous in a frightening sexual way. Worse yet, her body was responding to him in a new way.

  Her breath caught, and fingers danced down her spine. She cleared her throat. “I asked you a question.”

  “I told you we couldn’t meet again. I asked you to find another path and to stay out of the war as long as possible.” The deep timbre of his voice failed to give her a clue as to where he was living.

  “And I told you that was impossible. We need to work together.”

  He sighed. “I’m not with the Realm—I never have been.”

  “I know. Even when your daddy was alive, you were part of an isolated faction of vampires.” A group of former assassins who caused the Realm no trouble but refused to belong. When his father had died, he’d moved to live with his mother’s people. A people the king had never been able to identify. Chances were he was some type of shifter.

  Surprise flashed across Zane’s face. “You know who I am?”

  She bit her lip in indecision. Could she fake him out? All she really knew was that he was half vampire. “Sure.”

  Two broad steps forward and he gripped her arms in an unbreakable hold. He lowered his head until his eyes pierced hers an inch away. “Oh yeah? Who am I, Belle?”

  She swallowed. Even in the created world, he
at cascaded off the man. But no smell. For years she’d wondered what he smelled like. Probably something masculine and strong. “You don’t even know who you are, do you?”

  Irritation flashed in those deep eyes, and his hold tightened. “Don’t play games with me, sweetheart. You don’t know me anymore.”

  Oh, she’d hit a nerve. The guy wasn’t thinking if he thought to threaten her in the world she’d created. If she tried hard enough, she could probably turn him into a donkey. Temporarily, of course. Gritting her teeth, she forced words out. “Listen. You don’t know me anymore, either. You want to work with me for your own good.” On all that was holy—did he think she was some helpless human?

  His eyes darkened. “Is that a threat?”

  A shiver wound down her spine. From day one of meeting vampires, she’d quickly learned how to cajole and charm. Yet for the first time, she wanted to hammer the hell out of a vampire with an ego. “I’m the one with power here, Zane. Don’t forget it.”

  The smile he flashed showed fangs. “Because I gave you blood.”

  “Partly.” She’d always controlled the dream world.

  He released her arms. “Then we should even the odds, now, shouldn’t we?” Quicker than a thought, he had one arm around her waist, lifting her. The other tangled in her hair and jerked back.

  She gasped, both hands shoving against his chest. She might as well have been punching a brick wall.

  Sharp fangs pierced her neck.

  Crying out, her mouth opened.

  Pain melded with a heated pleasure to blank her mind.

  With a low growl, he drank deep, drawing her closer. Heat cascaded along her entire front as she met his hard body. He bent her back, drinking.

  Then he gentled. The deadly fangs retracted, and he licked her wound.

  His rough tongue sent desire spinning through her entire body as if he’d licked her from head to toe. She bit back a soft sigh of need and forced herself to keep from pressing harder against him. Confusion fuzzed her mind—she’d never felt like this.

  He set her down and stepped back. A dark flush covered his face while his eyes had morphed to pure gold. “You taste like sunshine and honey.”

  She exhaled heavily, her heart racing, her breath fighting to pant out. Instead, she calmed herself. “What the heck?”

  Massive shoulders moved when he shrugged. The raw desire on his face belied the casual move. “Now we both can find each other, and don’t say I didn’t warn you. The last thing you want is for me to be able to find you.”

  “Would you hurt me?” She lowered her voice to a soft note, holding threat.

  He blinked twice. “I don’t ever want to hurt you, Janie.”

  That wasn’t a “no.” Resisting the urge to rub her neck, she met his gaze. “What are you besides a vampire?”

  “I’m the man who now has your taste, sweetheart.” The endearment contradicted the angry glint in his eye. “Don’t look for me, and don’t even think about dragging me into a pretend world again. Next time I’ll do more than bite you.”

  Janie Kayrs had never been a coward. Threats did nothing but irritate her. Putting her hands on her hips, she stepped toward him. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

  Admiration filled his gaze while dark amusement lifted his full lip. “You know you’re the prize, right?”

  “I don’t like your phrasing.”

  “Too bad.” He lost his smile. “Every single species out there wants you. Every single species out there has oracles, psychics, and seers who have prophesied your coming. Right or wrong—they’re all coming for you.”

  “So?”

  “So, here you are meeting in secret with someone who has clearly told you we’re not on the same side. Or at least, we don’t want the same outcome. And I—have—your—blood.”

  Ah, but she had him. “I trust you.”

  “Then stop it.” His harsh tone set birds to fluttering high above. “Grow the hell up.”

  She smiled and stepped even closer, feminine power flushing through her. “Oh Zane . . . I’m all grown up now.”

  He put out a large-boned hand to stop her movements. “Jesus, Janie. Don’t make this easy on me.”

  “Easy on you?”

  He snorted. “Yes. Easy on me. My God. Do you have any idea the power your mate will have—will gain just by mating you? With not only his people but all of the world?”

  Mate? She tried to swallow and ended up coughing instead. Finally gasping a breath, she shook her head. “I wasn’t offering to mate you.”

  “Weren’t you?” His voice lowered, and a dark flush spread across his high cheekbones.

  “No.” Okay, sure she always thought she’d end up with Zane. But she wasn’t throwing herself at the vampire, for goodness’ sake. Doubt clouded in. Would Zane use her to end the war—even if that meant the Realm lost? How far would he go for his people, whoever they were? “Why won’t you just tell me who you are?”

  “Now that’s a question you should spend some time with, Belle.” He drew in a deep breath. “You’re right that you’re an adult now—all grown up. I’m done protecting you for your own good. You yank me into your world again, and I’ll do what I need for my people. Believe me, Janie.”

  At the last entreaty, she saw the boy he’d once been. Young, carefree, full of honor. “I do believe you.” Sweeping her hand out, the world disappeared.

  Her legs cramped. Groaning, Janie unfurled from her position on the chair and flexed her calves. Silence pounded all around her in the underground haven. She ran her fingers across the twin puncture wounds that ached in her neck. Great. Now she’d have to wear turtlenecks for a week.

  An odd thrill coursed through her at the thought of wearing Zane’s mark.

  She hadn’t gotten the answers she’d wanted, but Zane had said enough to make her think. If nothing else, he was still not understanding her. Sure, she’d wanted to work together to end the war. But like Zane, she’d make sacrifices for her family and her people.

  The vampire was making a serious mistake in underestimating her. Her relationship with him was turning into more war than love.

  But all was fair . . . now wasn’t it?

  CHAPTER 21

  Amber relaxed in the queen’s quarters, her shoulders settling down as she sank into the plush sofa. The plush, cotton blend of a sofa.

  Emma smiled. “Okay. Now I’m going to try to read your mind, so you think of something fun.”

  “Can you really read minds?”

  “I don’t know. Dage can read minds, and I’m supposed to get his gifts at some point, so maybe I can read your mind. Maybe not. But Kane wants to test your gifts against everyone else’s, so let’s give it a try.”

  Amber nodded and thought of an old Star Trek movie.

  Emma took a deep breath. “You’re thinking about cows.”

  “No.”

  “Chickens?”

  “No.”

  “Ice cream sandwiches?”

  “No. I don’t think you can read minds.” Amber bit back a smile at the queen’s disappointed look. “What else you got?”

  “I’m psychic.” Emma sounded downright sad about that fact. “And I can only see the future once in a while. My sister, Cara, is an empath, and we’ll have you work with her as soon as she gets home from feline territory. Both Talen and Dage have cleared time on their schedules to work with you later today.”

  A knock on the door drew their attention to the exit. Hilde swept inside, her face a pretty pink.

  Amber shook her head. How odd to see her grandmother so young.

  Emma stood and gestured Hilde to an oversized chair. “Have a seat, Mrs. Freebird.”

  “Hilde, sweetheart.” Hilde sat. “I want to have sex.”

  Amber jerked her head and started coughing so hard her lungs hurt.

  Emma’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.

  Hilde rolled her eyes. “For goodness’ sake, girls. I haven’t had sex in twenty-five years. I want sex.” She smacked Am
ber’s back several times to stem the coughing.

  Emma shook her head. “Um, Mrs. . . . Hilde, you’re, ah, mated. There’s no, um, sex.”

  “I know.” Hilde waited until Amber stopped sputtering before sitting back. “Janie was telling me about this new Virus-27 that actually takes away the mating aspect. I want that virus.”

  “Oh.” Thoughts scattered across Emma’s face. “Well, the virus does take away the mating aspect, and you, ah, could have sex then. But the virus is still dangerous, and while it’s slow in progression, it still progresses. We don’t know at what point it will lose potency, if at any point.”

  “So it could eventually kill anyone who is infected?” Hilde pursed her lips together.

  “Yes.” The queen clasped her hands in her lap. “We’ve cured shifters from the virus, but vampire mates and witches are still susceptible. It might take a hundred years for the virus to either kill them or run its course, but we don’t know what will happen. Of course, we plan to find a cure long before then.”

  “The risk might be worth it,” Hilde said grimly.

  Emma leaned forward and patted Hilde’s hand. “You’re immortal. I know it’s difficult to wait, but let us figure the virus out, and then we can apply the benefits to you.”

  Hilde’s jaw set. “Twenty. Five. Years.”

  Amber sucked in air. What else could possibly go wrong?

  Kane spread the stack of papers over the sofa table, his eyes beginning to ache. He’d turned down the lights in his underground haven as well as engaging the soothing wall waterfall, but sitting on the sofa and hunching over to read was probably stupid. He frowned. There had to be a pattern that showed when the shifter inoculation was doctored. Thick boots sounded in the hallway and caught his attention.

  The door opened and Dage moved inside. The rug muffled his heavy steps as he crossed the room and dropped into the oversized chair. “Did you find anything?”

  “Not yet. Well, that’s not true.” Kane grabbed two sheets from the far corner of the table. “All infected vials, even those that ended up in feline territory, were held at wolf territory in Montana.”