Conn stepped closer to the camera. “No. My guess is they’ve all died out. The demons probably took care of anybody who could combat their mind games years ago.”
Moira bit her lip. “That doesn’t work with my idea of the world. There has to be an enhanced human somewhere who can beat the demons.”
Jordan had had his people searching the globe for a demon destroyer since the damn demons had entered the war. Enhanced females lived on earth with psychic, empathic, and other abilities ... women who could mate with immortals. One such group could actually mind battle demons. While he wished a person existed who could counter the demons’ cruelty, he was with Conn. The demons had taken them all out.
Moira sighed, turning her attention to Dage. “Ah, king. I guess I should give you the rest of the bad news.”
“Which is?” Dage’s tone remained even, but a sense of raw power cascaded off him.
“We just had our first confirmation of a Virus-27 infection in a witch. Female.” Irritation pursed Moira’s lips. “Conn, stop that growling.” She nodded to someone off-camera. “Apparently only vampires and demons with their extra chromosomes are safe from this bugger.”
Dage shook his head. “I figured since there hasn’t been an infection in your people in ten years, you were safe.”
Green power began to dance along Moira’s exposed skin. “We’ve kept very strong protocols in place—anyone who has followed them has remained safe. This woman, girl really, didn’t follow them. Somehow the Kurjans gained access to infect her. I’ll find out how.” Sorrow filled her eyes. “For now, I’ll go find your brother.”
“Dailtín”—Conn’s voice dropped to pure warning—“what is the constant reality we live by?”
Moira frowned, and then her green eyes warmed. “I do love it when you call me ‘brat.’ ” She sighed. “The world starts with the two of us ... and spirals out.” A pretty grin lit her face. “We’re a pair, Conn.”
He nodded. “So you’ll wait for me before heading into battle.”
She lifted her chin, the grin widening. “Then you’d better hurry, mate.” The screen went blank.
Dage yanked a gun out of his waist to toss on the table. Two knives followed. “Conn, I’ll teleport you to Moira right now. Talen, you take the jet—go directly to Durness.” He focused on Kane.
Kane settled his stance. “I’m going. Emma can handle the lab work here—there isn’t anything else I can do.”
Dage frowned.
“I’m going. I’ll sense him before any of you do—as you well know.” Kane’s voice stayed calm, but a hard core of determination echoed in the tone.
Jordan scratched his head. Most vampires had special powers, and he’d never wondered about Kane. Being the smartest person on the planet seemed special enough. Guess not. There was more to the scientist than he’d figured.
Dage nodded. “Fine. You go with Talen on the jet. Max, you’re in charge until I get back.” He turned toward Jordan. “I need you to protect headquarters and keep from turning into a werewolf.”
“I’ll do my best.” Jordan lifted an eyebrow at Max.
The massive vampire crossed his arms and nodded, his light brown eyes somber. He’d kill Jordan if necessary.
A chill swept down Jordan’s spine. Hopefully the protector would make sure Jordan was actually a werewolf before beheading him. “I’ll send for backup. We have soldiers we can call on.”
“Good.” Conn cleared his throat. “Jordan—”
“Me, too.” Jordan nodded. The right words to say good-bye to a lifelong friend didn’t truly exist. “Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“I know.” Emotion shot silver through Conn’s green eyes.
Dage reached for Conn. “Let’s go.” The two disappeared.
Kane retrieved the discarded weapons. “We need to hurry. Transporting Conn will seriously weaken Dage.”
Talen nodded and clapped Jordan on the back. “Good luck.”
“You, too.” God, he hoped they found Jase. The idea of the fun-loving brother being tortured by demons made Jordan’s head pound. And he hoped he’d beat the moon and see his friend again. Something told him it wasn’t going to be that easy.
Chapter 17
A
t yet another Kurjan encampment miles south of the last one, Kalin leaned against a pine tree and out of the rain. Night had arrived quietly. Clouds filled the sky, so the werewolves were easier to handle. Even so, they tilted their heads up, wailing softly as if they knew the celestial light hid out of reach.
Except for Jack.
Jack sat on a fallen tree, his legs extended, the rain matting his fur. He kept his yellow gaze on the trees to the north, ears up.
Interesting. Intense focus had ridden the werewolf all day. Well, from Kalin’s vantage point in the secure building, it had seemed Jack had been preoccupied. When was Kalin’s uncle going to find the cure for sunlight? He was so tired of living in darkness.
Though he and Roy had found some fun before dawn. A group of women they’d stalked and terrorized through a town to the east. Unfortunately, the sun had begun to rise, so they had to end the game and head home.
He kept his gaze on the creature, welcoming the cold bite of wind carrying rain.
Jack sprang to his feet. Hair bristled all down his back. Emitting a growl, he took a step toward a stand of silent Douglas firs.
Kalin settled his hand around the top of the electric prod. Movement filtered through the thick trees. He sidled away from the pine, searching the recesses of the forest.
A werewolf limped into the clearing. Broad across the chest, taller than Jack, the brute bled from his neck and shoulder. His yellow eyes took in the werewolves on the ground, Jack, and finally Kalin.
Jack growled, muscles bunching.
“Stop.” Kalin sidled into the wet brush, keeping Jack between him and the newcomer. Rain smashed into his face. “Fall in!”
The werewolves scrambled into position behind Jack. After years of torture, starvation, and rewards, the beasts had finally learned the score. They deserved to have some fun. Kalin waited for the new werewolf to attack.
Yet the monster kept his gaze on Kalin. The werewolf angled his head to the side, sniffing the air. “Kurrrrjaaaaan.”
Kalin froze. He exhaled. “Say that again.”
The animal curled its upper lip. “Kurrrrjaaaaan. You. Kurrrrjaaaaan.”
So, this was new. Kalin rubbed his chin. “Yes. Apparently you can speak.” Made sense. Jack had evolved in the short time Kalin had been training him. Evolution included speech. The new creature must’ve been infected years ago. “You have a name?”
“Brennnt.”
Jack shuffled his feet, looking over his shoulder at Kalin. Waiting for the attack command.
Kalin needed to call Erik with the update. The breeze picked up, carrying the scent of wet dog, rain, and ... shifter. “You been in a fight, Brent?”
“Yesss. Wanted Kaattieee. Vampires got in way.” Brent surveyed Jack head to toe. With a shrug of indifference, he turned back to Kalin. “Kaattieee mine. Not Jordan’s. Jordan bad. Katie miiiine.”
Milton jumped out of the building to the side, and Kalin motioned him to stay still. No need to spook the beast. “Are you talking about Jordan Pride?” Wasn’t the infected lioness named Katie? His sources claimed she was Pride’s mate. “Pride has been infected by the virus.” While Kalin hadn’t been there at the time, he’d read the reports. The leader of the lions would soon turn into a hairy beast.
“Yes. Jordan baaaaad.” Brent howled, the sound full of pain and anger. “Killed me. Killed my brother. Needs tooooo die.”
Kalin clucked his tongue. “Well, we are hitting Realm Headquarters tomorrow. The moon is full soon, you know.” They had over a hundred miles to travel in preparation, and he needed the werewolves steady. He tightened his hold on the deadly prod. “But we’re only taking the best. You’re injured.” Tilting his head, he gave Jack a nod.
With a yowl from hell, Jack sprang.
Brent pivoted, much too quickly for an animal, and shot a sidekick into Jack’s gut. An actual sidekick.
Kalin frowned. The implications of the beast’s development were staggering.
Two more animals rushed Brent, and he clapped their heads together. The sound of melons bursting echoed through the rain. Thunder rumbled in the distance, matching the roar from the monster.
Jack scrambled off the ground, fury turning his eyes red.
Just as he bunched to lunge, Kalin let out a short whistle. All eyes turned to him. “Enough.” Jerking his head toward Brent, he let his fangs drop. “You’ll do. There’s meat coming for you—get your strength back. I have plans for you, friend.”
The werewolf shook rain off his fur. “I’ll helllpp. But Jordaaaan mine.”
“Fair enough.” Kalin nodded for Milton to fetch the raw meat. “Talen Kayrs is mine.”
His second returned with many Kurjans pushing wheelbarrows of raw meat and blood toward the beasts. Jack grabbed his own and wheeled over to a tree, turning his back on Brent. Kalin fought the urge to roll his eyes. The werewolf was put out.
Wiping rain off his brow, Kalin stalked toward the windowless building where he and the other Kurjans laid low during the day. Quick movements had him inside and down a flight of stairs to his private quarters. A panic room of all panic rooms, no sunlight could get in. Even if fire consumed the first floor, he had a way out.
Locking his door, he stretched his neck and wrung out his black/red hair. He’d dyed the mass all black as a kid, thinking he’d look human. Turned out he didn’t want to look human.
Shrugging off his jacket, he dropped to the bunk. The cheap springs protested. Besides the bed, a dingy night table and coat rack adorned the room. Dirt covered the floor, and Sheetrock made up the walls. Well, except for the one area where he could escape if necessary.
After he took out Realm Headquarters, he was heading for luxury. Somewhere he could hunt for days on end—maybe a female shifter or two. Or a witch. He’d love to find a good female witch to hunt and destroy. Now that’d be a worthwhile game. He’d never fucked a witch. Or a demon. Female demons were almost impossible to find considering they were so few and far between. Man, finding and battling one would be a good time.
With a sigh, he reached under the mattress to drag out a battered sketch pad and flip over the cover.
“Hello, Janie.” Sketch after sketch of the intriguing female flipped by as he ran through the pages. Janie as a little girl who had let him into her dreams. Janie as a woman—beautiful with such intuition in her blue eyes. He might not have her psychic powers, but the future sometimes granted him a glimpse.
He paused at a page where he’d drawn her as a teenager. Probably what she looked like that very day. Running a finger down her pert nose, he frowned.
The girl was likely at headquarters. Oddly enough, he had no interest in meeting her. Yet.
Kurjan oracles had declared Janet Kayrs the key to the future—the key to the future for them all. If she was at headquarters, he’d have to kidnap her. The question of where to put her had kept him awake for several nights. He wanted nothing to do with a teenaged human girl.
They were destined, and when the time was right, when she reached adulthood and could fight him, then he’d take her.
The idea that he’d have to protect her until then provided an irony that had him clenching his teeth together. As prophesied, she’d be in danger, even from his people, until he made his claim. Something he had no intention of doing until she could provide some challenge. Once she became a woman, she’d have impressive strength and make the battle worth his time.
As a child, she’d tried to be his friend. Even worse, she’d tempted him to be something he wasn’t. To be decent. Some days, when his shoulders slumped, when his gut ached from training, when exhaustion made him sway on his feet, he could almost see the road he hadn’t taken. Almost wish. For that, she would one day pay.
Dearly.
Chapter 18
K
atie jumped into Baye’s arms for a huge, feline hug. Seconds later, Lance engulfed her in a quick hug before handing her over to Noah and Mac. Family. They’d arrived to help protect headquarters while the Kayrs brothers had gone after one of their own. She’d rushed out to meet them, squiring them to the room where she, Maggie, and Janie had played pool.
But maybe that had been a mistake. Every time she looked at a pool table, she thought of Jase. She and the vampire had often played billiards when in the same town. Fear and anger swirled down deep in her stomach. Jase Kayrs was a friend, and she’d do anything to get him back. “Let’s kick the crap out of this virus, and then we’ll go hunting Jase.”
Baye nodded. “Ah, we researched your dating history. No more victims than the three men we talked about.”
Thank God. Though she’d always feel guilt about those three. “Thanks for researching them. I can’t believe Brent and his brother actually killed those poor men.”
“I know. I’m sorry I couldn’t help Jordan end David.” Baye tugged her hair. “Right now we need to meet with Jordan about Noah’s, I mean ...”
Noah frowned, fighting a snarl. He stood taller than his brothers, a century older, and tougher than anybody Katie had ever met. But the shifter had taught her to dance when she was ten, and she had a soft spot for the enforcer. His hair was cool and multicolored, his eyes an odd green. It was a wonder some female hadn’t chained him yet.
Katie gave him another hug. She knew, without a doubt, Noah only agreed to lead out of a sense of duty. The powerful lion thrived on the front lines. “I’ll show Lance around.” The tiger belonged to a different clan, and internal mountain lion matters didn’t interest or concern him.
Plus, she didn’t want to talk about Jordan moving on.
The brothers took off, leaving her in the playroom with Lance.
He rolled his shoulders. “Let’s go outside. Being this close to the ocean makes me twitchy, but I’d like to hear the waves after riding in a plane all day.”
She nodded, showing him through the main lodge to the quiet courtyard. Lifting her head, she tuned in her senses. No predators existed nearby. Well, no predators that weren’t allies, anyway.
Lance loped toward the cliff, his large hands in faded jeans, tight muscles shifting beneath a Saints T-shirt. “I can smell Pride on you.”
The ocean churned gray and restless far below, spraying against jagged rocks. Embarrassment clogged her throat. Katie hunched her shoulders. “We didn’t mate.”
“I know.” Lance eyed her from the corner of his eye, the blue darker than usual. “There’s a good chance you’ll turn into a werewolf if you mate. The idea of my having to hunt you down makes me sick to my stomach.”
She closed her eyes. “I know. But what if mating saves him?”
“Mate me.”
Her eyes flipped open. Surprise had her facing the tiger. “What?”
“You have the virus, but for some reason, just can’t shift. I think if you mated a
healthy
shifter, you’d regain your ability.” He pivoted toward her, both hands clasping her arms. “When you left, I realized how much I enjoy being around you. I don’t want to lose you, Kate.”
“But”—shock froze her in place—“you’ve never, I mean, we’ve never—”
“Baye and I talked about saving you. He sees you as a kid still. I’ve only known you as an adult.” Lance’s sharp cheekbones created interesting hollows below them, giving him the look of a tiger. His gaze wandered her face. A masculine scent of sweet grass and spruce wafted from him. His voice lowered. “I see you as all woman.”
Warmth slid down her spine. The guy was still in love with a psychologist and refused to take a chance after everyone he’d lost. She sighed. “I appreciate you and Baye trying to save me, possibly sacrificing yourselves for me, but how is that any different from my trying to help Jordan?” Belonging had her lips lifting in a smile. Lance and Baye were good friends ... willing to do anything for her. Even mate for life. But they didn’t love her.
Lance shook his head. “The virus is different in males, and you know it. I can save you. You mating Jordan will kill you.” His hands tightened. “We could be really good together.”
God spare her from sweet shifters trying to save her for her own good. “You’re still hurting from losing Linda.” Katie forced a gentle smile. “You and I don’t love each other.”
“Love’s overrated.” Lance’s gaze dropped to her lips. “We have friendship, trust, and we’re both sexy as hell.” His grin lightened his face.
She chuckled. “If you so modestly say so.”
“I do.” Pain vibrated from him. “When I lost my squad, I almost went crazy. You know that.” The breeze lifted his hair, highlighting his feline bone structure. “I can’t lose you, too.”
She nodded. The war had been hell for them all. “Mating isn’t the answer for us, Lance.”
“We’re a match.” He cocked his head to the side. “Haven’t you wondered? I mean, even a little?”
Her cheeks heated. Of course she’d wondered. After hunts, after the guys shifted back to human, she’d seen them nude. Powerful and strong ... and yeah, sexy. “I’m flattered.” She spoke the truth. Lance’s thick hair slid around his shoulders, making those blue eyes stand out. Tall, broad, and so male, a woman couldn’t help but look.
But her heart had belonged to Jordan Pride since he’d rescued her as a cub.
She shook her head. “I’m on my path.” Right or wrong, she’d chosen to risk all for the lion leader.
“I can’t accept that.” Emotion echoed in the tiger’s tone. “The world is a better place with you causing havoc in it.” He yanked her into a granite-hard body, his mouth sliding down atop hers.
Shock kept her immobile.
Warm, seductive, he wandered his lips across hers. One hand released her arm to slide around her waist, tugging her even closer.
For one second, temptation flirted with her to dive in, to kiss him back. But curiosity wasn’t a good enough reason to screw up her future, or to hurt him. So she pushed both hands against his chest, turning her face to the side.
He fought her for two heartbeats, trying to press the issue. Finally, he paused, exhaling loudly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She kept her gaze on the grass.
A warm knuckle lifted her chin to face him. He released her arm and grimaced. “Fine. Just promise me you won’t turn into a beast.”
“I won’t.” Hopefully. But now she needed to make arrangements for someone else to take her out if she did end up a werewolf. The job couldn’t fall to anyone in her family or squad. Especially Lance or Baye. “You kiss well.”
“Shut up.” His grin banished the rest of her worries. “I’m even better at the other stuff, but now you’ve blown your chance.”
She bit the inside of her lip. “I have no doubt you’re amazing at the other stuff.” With any luck, she’d still be around when Lance found a mate and had his world rocked for the right reasons and not to erase the pain of the past. Or not because he wanted to sacrifice himself for a friend.
Sure, she was doing the same thing. Love made the difference. It had to.
Lance tucked a friendly arm around her shoulder. “Come on. I’ll kick your butt at pool while we wait for Baye to finish his meeting.” He cleared his throat. “This didn’t happen.”
“What didn’t?” She grinned, allowing him to lead her back inside.
Jordan had the oddest sense of bringing his prom date home an hour late as he faced the three enforcers across the polished conference table. His three enforcers. The Chance brothers had protected Jordan’s back since day one of his becoming leader of the feline clans. All at least a hundred years older than him, they’d followed orders and defended their people using any means necessary. Right now they looked at him with varying degrees of irritation.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve publicly endorsed Noah as the next leader.” Hopefully he wasn’t signing the cougar’s death warrant. “Though I can guarantee you’ll be challenged. At least once.”
Noah shrugged.
The enforcers continued to stare.
On all that was holy. He so didn’t need this crap. “Fine. I didn’t mate her. What the hell do you want?”
“Why not?” Baye snarled.
Jordan frowned. They were pissed he hadn’t mated Katie? “Come on. If I mate her, I could kill her. I mean, the virus might kill her.”
“Or save you both,” Noah muttered.
Mac pursed his lips. The middle brother, he had lighter hair and darker eyes than the other two—and was by far the wildest lion in history. “Though, I get you not wanting to sacrifice her. I mean, it’s Katie.”
“She can make her own decisions.” Baye shoved back in his chair. “Little Katie is all grown up. I’ve seen her fight ... even with the virus slowing her down, she’s tough. Strong mentally. You’re lucky to have her.”
“I know she’s strong.” Jordan took a deep breath. “Listen, tomorrow night isn’t going to be good. And I wanted to say ... I mean ... well—”
“Jesus, Jordan. We love you, too.” Noah snarled more than said the words. “You’re not going to die. I haven’t followed you for three centuries just to watch you turn into a beast.”
“Why have you?” Shit. It was the absolute last question Jordan thought he’d ever ask. Deep down, he’d always wondered. After the way he’d gained leadership, he figured one day Noah would challenge him. Not stick by him to the end.
Noah growled. Mac frowned. Baye stared. “You’re family,” they said in unison, the different timbers of their voices melding deep.
Air coughed out of his lungs in disbelief. “No, I’m not.” He’d lost all his family the day he’d killed Brent Bomant.
Noah got the look he had right before he punched his fist through someone’s face.
Jordan tensed just in case he needed to block the blow.
“We became family the day the three of us vowed to be your protectors.” Noah spoke slowly, unusual emotion in his deep eyes. “You’ve done a good job—put our people back together after the last war. Got most feline nations unified under one leadership. Nobody else in the world could’ve healed our people so completely.”
Yeah, but he hadn’t ruled with charm and promises. There had been blood and bruises, too. “I didn’t do it alone.”
“No. And it’s good you finally realize that.” Baye stood. “I’m going to check on Katie and then meet the king to go over the battle plans. I have faith in you—always have. If there’s a way to beat the moon tonight, you’ll do it. When you head up to the surface to prepare, I’ll meet you.” With a nod to Noah, he strode from the room.
Mac followed suit, leaving Jordan with Noah.
Noah leaned back. “So Kane can’t cure the virus?”
“No.” Jordan fought despair down, setting his jaw. “I may need you to kill me when the time comes.” With Conn across the world, he’d rather have Noah do it than Max. Not that Max wasn’t capable, Jordan just didn’t know the vampire as well as he knew Noah.
Noah’s eyes were a deep, catlike green. They darkened with emotion and sorrow. “Not a problem.” He ground a palm into his eye. “You’re family, Jordan. Always have been. You don’t have to do any of this alone.”
Jordan studied his friend. He’d kept himself aloof, kept himself alone because he figured that was the price of leading. The price he had to pay. “I know.”
“No, you don’t.” Noah rolled to his feet. “I know what you did, what you had to do for the good of our people. Let the past go. You’ll never keep that lioness, virus or not, if you don’t let her in. Even if you only have a short time, isn’t every second worth taking?” He paused near the door, his back to Jordan. “I had a woman once. I lost her and would give anything for just one good day. Just one.”
Without another word, the feline enforcer slipped out the door.
Jordan sat back in the chair, his mind reeling. How could he not even know the name of the woman Noah missed? He’d kept himself so distant he couldn’t even consider himself Noah’s friend. The shifter’s words echoed in Jordan’s head. He closed his eyes, his hands clenching as memories flashed through him so quickly his brain ached.
Three hundred years ago, Jordan had intercepted Brent at the docks, taking him deep into the forest. His cousin had grown even bigger, though some of that was all belly. Apparently Brent had been enjoying a lot of ale, as well.
Jordan cleared his throat as they neared the clearing where his fate would be decided. Pine trees surrounded them, all creatures deadly quiet in their depths. Small prey always sensed predators in their midst, as well as tension and an inevitable battle. “I truly am sorry about your parents, Brent.”
Brent had pivoted, his eyes a burnt amber. “And yours. I know Kayrs moved headquarters to the center of, well, nothing. . . but why are we in the forest, Jordan?” Peering down from at least four inches of additional height, the shifter flashed sharp teeth.