A Touch Too Much (6 page)

“Because I’d spent him. He was drained. The laws of nature are somewhat different in the Overworld. We are bound to these rules, just like you’re tied to your laws. Here we’re less efficient, and prone to weakness. The watch is also an alarm to tell us when it’s time to be refreshed.”

“What’s that?”

“An immersion in a tank of Formula. Even diluted, human blood is still a source of great strength for us. Actually it works like a battery, and a few hours in the tank are usually sufficient.”

Okay. If Liv had her facts right, vampires fed on a drop of blood every now and then, mostly stayed in their Overworld dens, and needed to rush home for a check-up and a long soak when their watches rang. Interesting! Yet the handsome vampire by her side didn’t appear to abide by the same rules. What was different about him?

“Rogan, you’ve been in my world for almost twenty-four hours. You don’t seem to need refreshing.”

“I never do. I don’t know why—it could be a flaw of nature or a very rare disease in the vampire ranks. Our scientists have been researching my case, and they haven’t found out the cause either.”

Like she was supposed to be different, could Rogan be special in his own way? After all, her touch should have killed him, not saved his life. As much as the idea needed some pondering, Liv wanted to know more about the brute who had trashed her apartment.

“Khord came after me. Do you mean he’s a hunter?”

“No, he’s a warrior assigned to protect his partner if need be. Warriors and hunters always pair off when it’s time to cross over and find nourishment. I got Khord yesterday, not my lucky day!”

His face remained impassive as he stated the obvious. Without pause he went back to the subject at hand.

“After the truce, we needed some kind of order so the council established a system resulting in three divisions—the civilians, the warriors, and the hunters who can specialise in tracking.”

“I’m amazed. I had never heard about all that. I find your story very hard to believe, even if the war occurred a long time ago.”

“The knowledge has been either lost or forgotten because the human mind doesn’t like, let’s say, complications. It’s much easier and more convenient to keep believing vampires are nothing but fictional characters.”

He might’ve been right. Another universe filled with blood-suckers purchasing walking food did seem frightening. Wouldn’t it be so much better to deny it, and to forget about it after a while? Probably, but the forgetting didn’t solve in the least her immediate problem.

Every time he moved, Rogan reminded her of a solitary hunter, a dark animal ready to pounce on prey. His very animality aroused her way more than any man ever had, and keeping his sex out of her mind was getting more difficult with each passing hour. At the cost of startling him, she had to make him understand she didn’t fear him.

“You won’t bite me.”

Although Liv had spoken in a hushed tone, Rogan looked taken aback for a second. Only for a second, then he was standing right beside her before she had a chance to see him move from the armchair.

“I will. With you, the impulse is overwhelming, impossible to contain. I tried, but to no avail.”

“If you did bite me, what would happen?”

The words had barely left her mouth when Rogan’s lean features froze, and his unwavering cold look scared her for the first time.

“I would have to kill you, or you’d turn into a vampire.”

Chapter Nine

Sunset.

As soon as Rogan was able to step outside, they avoided the reception hall and headed straight for Liv’s car. Moving away from her familiar places appeared to be the safest course of action for the time being.

A few vehicles were parked in front of the motel, but nobody seemed to be hanging about. Very conscious of Rogan’s hand wrapped around her forearm, Liv walked with him to her car. As she opened the door and dropped her bag on the seat, a rough tone raised goose bumps on her arms.

“I’ll be damned if it isn’t lover boy and his new girlfriend!” Khord guffawed, his voice coming from the shadows.

Liv felt Rogan’s arms around her, then a sickening whoosh. Next thing she knew, she found herself in an empty warehouse at the back of the motel, concealed behind a stack of cardboard boxes.

“Stay here!”

With that, he was gone.

She stayed put for a few seconds, a little queasy from the super-speed trip, heart beating too fast. Yet she was no man, and curiosity soon won over. Keeping a low profile, she edged quietly towards the entrance.

Both warehouse and motel were surrounded by fields on all sides, so she had an open view, lit by the rising moon. The dark border of a forest loomed in the west. Khord and Rogan stood facing each other, two bloodthirsty predators expecting the call of battle.

“How did you find us?”

“The council sent a tracker to her place this morning shortly after you left. He picked up your scent, and traced you here. By then it was almost dawn so he had to get back, but I knew where to find you two.”

“Looks like you used your brains for once!”

Eyebrows tight together, Khord raised a huge fist.

“Shut the fuck up! You’re nothing but an outlaw now. The tracker reported to the council. He told them he was unable to pick up the woman’s scent so they want her for analysing.”

“I think you’re lying. You know as well as I do that no human is allowed in the Overworld.”

“They’ll make an exception for her. From what I’ve heard, Zontag wants her real bad. Who’s gonna know anyway?”

Khord might well be close to the truth on this one. Liv’s disappearance would be noticed, of course, but not for a while. Plenty of time to get probed, analysed and eaten by vampires. Unless Rogan protected her. Concealed behind boxes, Liv watched his fighting stance.

“She isn’t going anywhere.”

“You don’t have a say in the matter. I’m taking her back.”

“Sure, it’s not like I’ve already beaten the crap out of you. Twice, if memory serves.”

As Khord sneered instead of blowing a gasket, Liv reckoned he hadn’t laid down all his cards. Holding her breath, she shuddered when she heard his triumphant tone.

“Who said I came alone?”

Liv suddenly spotted the second warrior coming out from the shadows of the motel. Although she didn’t think he had seen her, she kept completely still, her heart pounding hard.

They might not kill Rogan on the spot, but they would take him back to their world. Chances were they’d hand him over to the council, question him, lock him up, maybe torture him or sentence him to death. She’d never see him again, and she didn’t want that. God, no, she didn’t want that.

But who was she kidding? Yes, she feared what might happen to her, yet that wasn’t the main reason, was it? Too late to deny the truth, now she had to open her eyes. She had feelings for him, feelings for a vampire. And the icing on the cake came down to a simple fact—they couldn’t even make love. No way would they ever be man and woman. Wasn’t that ironic? Wasn’t that every woman’s dream?

Realistic and hurtful as the thought was, she didn’t have the leisure to dwell on it. She and Rogan were in a deadlock all right, but she had always relied on her instincts. She’d find a way to right their situation.

Khord and the warrior encircled Rogan. A blur of movement, a shift of dark colours the eye couldn’t quite catch. Sighing, Liv wished they wouldn’t do that, wouldn’t use their terrifying speed to confuse her. To prevent her from ensuring Rogan was still unhurt.

She heard the mighty blows, but not being able to see was terribly frustrating—until the sounds ceased and the image stabilised.

Although on his legs, Khord appeared to be totally disjointed but already focused on the task of snapping his bones into place. In the process of getting up his partner didn’t look in better shape, yet seemed still determined to get his quarry. Rogan lay flat on the ground.

“No!”

Liv’s shout tore through the stillness of the night. Rogan was dead. He had to be or he’d get up and start fighting again. Fight for both their lives. Disturbed by her cry, a cloud of bats flew away. Swinging his head round at the sound of her voice, Khord yelled to the other warrior.

“Get the girl! She’s in the warehouse.”

“What about him?”

“He’s out. I’ll deal with him. You get the girl, and take her home. The council is waiting for her.”

“Okay.”

With a last, loud crack, the warrior locked a bone back in his shoulder. Without hurry, he started walking to the disused building, obviously confident no speed was necessary. His prey was only human, and a woman at that. Meanwhile, Khord grinned at Rogan’s motionless form lying at his feet.

“Well, lover boy! Not so boisterous now, are we? Where’s your sense of humour? Passed out? Gone down the drain? Doesn’t matter ’cause this time you’re coming home with me.”

Guffawing, he bent over to get Rogan.

Chapter Ten

Liv didn’t even contemplate outrunning the warrior dispatched to get hold of her. Hidden behind the boxes, she figured her best bet remained to stay put. She could see Rogan through a small gap between boxes. That was all she cared about, much more than the anguished voice in her head telling her the gorgeous vampire had been killed.

Heart filled with lead, she observed the nameless warrior as he walked into the warehouse. Since the building had been shut down, the place had become a real jumble of garbage, cardboard, containers, and out-of-order equipment lying around. Of course he wouldn’t be very long locating her. All she could achieve now was to buy some time.

Khord grabbed Rogan’s wrist, without doubt in an attempt to activate his watch. When their limbs met, the disgusting hulk was lifted off his feet, and thrown away at full force. The landing sounded brutal. The impact must have jarred his freshly mended bones, and sent waves of pain through his body, because he uttered a sharp cry while drawing his fangs out.

Relief made Liv quiver when she saw Rogan propelling Khord, and bending forward to pick something off the ground. For the first time, she laid eyes on his vampire face. Unlike Khord, he hadn’t turned into a monster. Fangs out, taut skin shining golden in the moonlight, powerful jaws set to rip and kill, Rogan was the most handsome and virile creature ever.

When Khord looked up, Rogan was on his feet, battered but frighteningly in command. Liv perceived that something about him rattled Khord. His stubborn, aggressive stance? His unwavering gaze? Or the determination on his face? Whatever it was, an untold dread seemed to be creeping into Khord’s mind, blunting his courage.

“Get up! Let’s get this over with.”

Rogan didn’t look like a fighter anymore, but more like a hunter on the brink of slaying his prey. He had grabbed a chunk of wood from a pile of old debris, no doubt intending to stake his enemy.

Although in bad shape, Khord couldn’t resist flouting.

“Ain’t you gonna save the pretty bird? Guess not, it’s too late for her.”

Though he scoffed, he was only to be crushed down again. Razor-sharp fangs glittering in the bright moonlight, Rogan jumped on Khord. Pinned to the ground by Rogan’s weight, the brute watched the lethal vampire lift his arm, stake pointed at his enemy’s heart.

Khord’s words acutely ringing in her mind, Liv forgot all about her pursuer, and shouted.

“Rogan, don’t! If you kill him, they’ll sentence you to death!”

She was brutally flung sideways, and she crashed into boxes. Half full of junk, they nevertheless cushioned her fall. Using her hands as brakes, Liv slid on her back towards the entrance of the warehouse. Before she could take another breath, the warrior was already holding her down. Immobilised, dazed, she felt his hand seize her wrist to fasten a watch around it. The device to send her into the Overworld. The vampires’ world.

Holy mackerel!
Panic flooding her veins, legs kicking nothing but air, arms trying to escape the iron grip, Liv cried out. She knew her shout wouldn’t help, knew her flailing would only delay her assailant for a few seconds, but she couldn’t just lie there and let him take her away to unknown whereabouts. No, she didn’t want to go to the Overworld.

She glanced outside. Looking like he hated this strange universe made for a weak race, Khord seemed to be mustering his strength. Whatever he planned, Rogan out-thought him with an unexpected move. He dropped the stake, and pressed a button on the brute’s watch. Khord vanished.

Too far away, and unable to see her as the warehouse lay in shadows, Rogan wouldn’t be able to rescue her now. She had only herself to rely on, yet herself wasn’t going to be enough. As he squeezed her wrists so hard that tears sprang to her eyes, Liv finally realised the end had come for her. Closing her eyes, she addressed a silent prayer to the vampire who had made her heart beat with lust and love.

And it came. An instinctive power infused her body, causing her to open her eyes in a rush. Like a destructive force demanding to be let out, the unrelenting sensation gave her an order. Overwhelmed yet trusting her instincts, Liv obeyed. She wrenched one of her hands free and put it on the warrior’s chest.

Facing outdoors, she saw Rogan on his knees looking towards her. She heard him calling her name, heard him yelling at her to stop. Impossible. Too late. Although vibrating from the violence of the energy raging inside her, Liv still knew she didn’t want to stop. And why would she? While she kept on staring at Rogan, the corners of her lips stretched up.

“Bite me!”

She pushed. The invisible force reached its peak, and rushed out. Impacted. Penetrated into the vampire’s body. Soundlessly. Without stirring a breath of air. But nothing changed. Incredulous, Liv cast a glance at the warrior. Apart from the fact that he had stopped trying to put the watch on her, he hadn’t moved. As far as she could tell he simply seemed a bit at a loss, the watch now sliding from his fingers to fall on the concrete floor.

Without even a whoosh, Rogan stood by her side. As he shoved the other vampire aside, the weight on Liv’s stomach disappeared instantly. Helping her to stand up, his threatening vampire features stirring a wanton need in her guts, he commanded the warrior.