Betrayal (9 page)

The men continued to analyze and study the map. After a while, Emma began to tire. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat in a chair at the end of the table to watch them. The men were well trained. Some of their conversation flew over her head as they tossed around coordinates and strategies. Although frustrated at her lack of understanding, she drank down the strong brew and absorbed as much information as she could.

An hour later, Cyn and Rowe decided to go scout the areas Kieran indicated on the map.

Emma jumped up and went to walk out with Cyn. She didn’t want to be left behind with Kieran. Even though he was Cyn’s brother, he was still her natural enemy.

“I won’t be long,” Cyn said as he wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulder and held her to him, not seeming to care they had an audience. Cyn brushed his lips across her brow. When he tipped her face up to him, a stab of emotion that she couldn’t quite identify took her by surprise. If they had more time, if things were different, she could fall in love with this man.

“You have to stay here. We’ll be gone for a short while. Kieran will stay with you.” She glanced uncertainly at Kieran, who at the moment, spoke with Rowe.

“It will be okay, Kieran won’t harm you. He’ll keep you safe,” Cyn assured her.

“It’s not just that. I don’t want to sit around waiting. I can be of help. I was there, remember?” The tensing of his shoulders indicated he would not change his mind. She gave him her best pleading look.

Cyn proved unbending. “I won’t take you with me now. You’ll have to wait.”

She glared at him, but remained silent knowing she could not force him to take her.

After Cyn and Rowe left, Emma sat on the edge of one of the leather chairs in the kitchen and watched Kieran pour himself yet another cup of coffee. Some of her apprehension lifted when he topped off her cup.

Soon Emma tired of sitting in the quiet room. Other than studying every detail of the kitchen, there wasn’t anything else to do. Kieran didn’t seem to feel uncomfortable by the silence in the room.

Finally, after almost an hour of Kieran not speaking a word, Emma became restless.

“Can I ask what you are reading?”

Kieran looked away from the paperwork in front of him and glanced at her, almost as if he’d forgotten she was there. “The information Cyn got from you.”

“Do you mind if I explore the house?” she asked.

“Go at it,” he replied, his attention already away from her.

Upon leaving the kitchen, she was impressed. Though the exterior of the house was in shambles, the entire interior was well maintained. Most of the furniture was of the highest quality. Like Cyn’s home, Kieran’s place was sparse but expensively furnished.

In the spacious living area, a buttery suede sofa and a pair of chocolate leather chairs faced a sizeable stone fireplace. But that was the extent of the room’s furnishings.

She ambled down a hallway to find a small guest bathroom and two good-sized bedrooms. The bedrooms were almost identical, each with a large bed and single dresser. Across the hall, she peeked into what was obviously Kieran’s master bedroom. The dimly lit room housed a beautiful rustic unmade bed fashioned from tree branches. The askew black bedding suited the somber man. Not wanting to invade his privacy, she went back to the living room and out the front door.

Emma strolled out to the front porch bathed by rays that filtered through the tall pines. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath lifting her face up to the warmth of the sun. Would her life ever be simple again? Would she be able to enjoy the simple things like the sun on her face after tomorrow?

The enjoyment didn’t last long. Kieran’s sharp voice startled her.

“Come inside.” He scowled at her from the doorway. When she entered the house, he waited for her in the living room.

“Remain in the house. Cyn will be cross with me if you’re not here when he returns.”

Kieran walked away without another word and went back into the kitchen.

The day was not progressing as she’d hoped. Other than Cyn and Rowe scouting, not much headway had been made toward rescuing Briana. Emma sat in the living room for a long while and leafed through a book on folklore. Literally appalled at how many discrepancies it contained. Kieran kept a lot of books on the paranormal. Emma wouldn’t have expected such a collection from someone who lived it every day.

She let out a breath and put the book down. Surely, there was something useful she could be doing. Too anxious to sit any longer, she went to find Kieran. Maybe she could get him to have a conversation with her?

Kieran sat at his computer and typed in what looked like the same type of code language Cyn used.

The room was quiet except for the tapping of keys. Emma cleared her throat. “Er, Kieran, I was wondering. If the Protector’s mission is to destroy demons, why is Cyn raising Blue?”

Kieran didn’t answer her right away. Then he faced her, his expression pensive. “Our mission is to kill those that are a threat to humans or others who cannot defend themselves. We don’t bother any demon unless it threatens someone unable to defend himself. As far as any other type of relationship for us, it can get complicated.” Kieran frowned in thought. “Blue was a baby when Cyn rescued him from harm. He considers the boy his own now.”

Emma liked the burr of his Scottish accent. Cyn’s is barely perceptible. “What about when Blue matures? His demon nature may become dominant and it may be hard for him to overcome it, even living with a Protector.”

“Cyn is hoping Blue will be able to. He is only half-demon and is well cared for and taught the Protector way. We’ll have to wait and see. Then cross that bridge when we reach it.”

Emma’s heart skipped. Kieran didn’t seem to think badly of half-demons. She wondered if he would be as accepting of her. What was she thinking? Maybe under different circumstances, she could’ve found out. But there was no sense in even considering any kind of relationship with Cyn. Not after what she was about to do.

“What time are we going to the demons’ compound? Are more Protectors coming to help?”

She saw Kieran’s jaw tense and knew she’d pushed him too far. But he surprised her.

“At dawn. A few more are coming. We are stronger than the demons, but we can be at a disadvantage depending on their numbers. From what you told Cyn, it sounds like they have twenty to thirty demon guards at all times. There are some higher-levels there as well.”

His clear eyes locked with hers. The air was suddenly scarce in the room and she couldn’t move. “Don’t think that because you’re sleeping with my brother, any of us will hesitate to kill you if this is a trap.”

Emma tore her eyes away from his. Her stomach in knots, she believed him. Already she’d begun to wonder herself if she could betray Cyn.

“I wouldn’t blame you,” was all she said and then jumped at the ding of the doorbell. “Who is it? More Protectors?”

Kieran shook his head. “No, they wouldn’t ring the doorbell. It’s dinner.” She remained at the kitchen table while Kieran spoke to the delivery person. With a silent prayer, Emma hoped Cyn would come back before the other Protectors arrived
.
What if one of them was able to figure out what she was despite the spell star? She shuddered at what could happen in his absence.

Kieran came back into the kitchen area with a stack of pizza boxes. He opened one and took out a slice, and bit into it as he tilted his head to talk to someone on his earpiece. He motioned for Emma to eat, but she shook her head. She was too nervous to eat. If only Cyn would hurry up and return. She wouldn’t feel at ease until he did.

The realization shook her.

A few minutes later, just as the sun was setting, Cyn and Rowe arrived. Both men went straight to the pizza boxes.

Cyn grabbed two slices and handed one to her.

Rowe sat down to eat without a word or glance toward her. It was an improvement from his hostile glare, but she’d still feel more comfortable if he left the room.

It was tempting to head to the living room, but she wanted to hear as much as she could about what happened on their scouting mission and any plans they’d formed to rescue her sister.

She ate her pizza in silence. The men didn’t speak either, each eating a second piece while she finished her first.

Kieran and Cyn exchanged a glance.

Cyn held out his hand to her. “Come Emma.” When she hesitated, he took her by the arm and tugged her out of the room and up some stairs and into a guest bedroom.

“We have some things to discuss in private. I need you to stay in this room. We’ll sleep here tonight.”

Emma narrowed her eyes at him. “First of all, I expect to be part of my sister’s rescue, so I should know the plan. Second, what do you mean by
we
are sleeping in here?” She emphasized the word ‘we’.

He took a breath as if trying to gain patience. It reminded her of when he spoke to Blue. “Emma, we are not going to discuss our plans with you. And you’re welcome to sleep anywhere you want in this house. Just remember there will be several other Protectors here, under the same roof. Perhaps you would prefer to bunk with Rowe?” He waited for her reply with his arms crossed and one eyebrow cocked.

Emma bit back the desire to groan in frustration. She walked to the bed and sat on it. “So what do I do for now?”

Cyn sighed. “Get some rest. We will be leaving at dawn. Do you want me to bring you some more pizza?”

Not hungry, she shook her head.

As he went to leave, the voices of more Protectors arriving drifted up the stairs and Emma saw the tension in his body.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, sensing he was wary.

“It’s not safe for so many of us to be in the same place at the same time. Higher-level demons can sense our presence.”

Cyn studied Emma for a lingering moment. Did she know how exquisite she was? Even with her hair disheveled from the long day and scowling at her displeasure of having to stay in the bedroom, he found her sexy. She plopped down on the bed and her boots landed with a thud on the floor as she kicked them off. Her socks were next and she threw them aside with impatience. Pink toenails peeked out from her pants leg when she raised her knees and wrapped her arms around them. She glared at him then leaned her cheek on top of her knees and sighed.

The urge to forget about the rest of the Protectors in the house pressed him to get in bed and hold her.

Reassure her.

Instead, he went to her and stroked her cheek. “Look, we can’t go in without a plan. I’m as impatient to go in there as you are.”

What the hell was wrong with him? His main focus should be Roderick’s rescue, not to comfort the bewitching woman.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Ah my brother returns from tucking in his charge,” Kieran said as Cyn returned downstairs to greet the newly arrived pair of Protectors.

He went to the two new arrivals, Thor and Fallon and each pair exchanged the standard greeting.

Cyn was glad to see Thor. The oldest warrior present, at over a thousand years old, was also the most experienced against high-level demons. Thor, who looked to be in his late twenties, was a fiery tempered Viking. The red-haired male couldn’t seem to get used to modern life. He preferred to live in the colder climates, though Cyn suspected that the fact that the giant Norseman killed almost half the demon population in Pittsburg was more the reason for his current gig in Iceland.

Fallon greeted Cyn next with his usual cool reserve. The Brit was the youngest of the Protectors there. He was born into English aristocracy during the eighteenth century. Like most Protectors, Fallon transformed in his early twenties, but when Julian approached him to become a demon slayer, Fallon refused the call. He chose to remain in England living the plush life of a Lord.

When his parents died of old age and Fallon still looked like he was in his twenties, people began to fear him. Even his friends turned on him when they noticed he was not aging. Some even speculated that he was a vampire. Shunned from society, Fallon finally realized that he couldn’t deny his fate any longer. He searched for a Protector to help him. He found a friend and guide in Roderick, who trained him to become what he was born to be.

Fallon would battle to the death for his mentor.

The Brit’s translucent violet eyes took Cyn in and then he looked up toward the ceiling. “Think that’s a good idea? She’s part demon.”

Air rushed out of Cyn’s lungs. It felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. The gut reaction he’d had when he first met her was right. He should have known she wasn’t just human.

Demon? He didn’t want to believe it. But there was no questioning of Fallon’s keen senses, the Brit was always right.

Yet he asked, “Are you sure?”

The English Protector shrugged elegantly, his mannerisms still very much those of an elegant lord. “Yes, although I don’t sense any hostility. She may not even be aware of her own heritage. I do however sense strong emotions toward you.” His lips twitched with a hint of amusement. “It seems she may be falling in love with you my friend.” He grinned at Cyn’s shocked look.

“Let’s concentrate on the mission,” Cyn answered through gritted teeth, and ignored the other Protector’s throats clearing.

He turned to the table, but not before he noticed that Thor and Fallon watched him with intent and considering looks.

In all the years of his long life Cyn had been successful in keeping his distance from women. He took great pains to not see anyone more than a couple times so that they did not develop any feelings for him. A relationship clouded a man’s thoughts, which could be deadly in battle. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Emma caring for him. God, it couldn’t be good.

A low growl from Rowe alerted them and Cyn followed the Protector’s line of sight to the doorway where Emma stood, her eyes darted back and forth between the men only to widen when meeting his.

“Just wanted to make sure you hadn’t left without me,” she told him and turned on her heel.

Thor’s laughter boomed at Cyn’s scowl. “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”

# # #

Several hours later, after they discussed plans for Roderick’s rescue, Kieran and Rowe took the first watch while others went to sleep.

Cyn walked into the guest bedroom. A weariness settled deep within.

Although his body did not tire easily, he wanted to lie down and not think for a couple of hours.

Waiting for the perfect time was always the hardest. More than anything, he wanted to leave and go get Roderick now. But he knew they should strike at daylight, when most of the demons would not be as strong.

He took his shirt off and kicked aside his boots, and then he headed into the bathroom to shower.

As the hot water pounded on him, his thoughts turned to Roderick.
What was Roderick enduring?
The demons hated Protectors and, no doubt, they enjoyed torturing his friend. Cyn wondered if the Spartan would be the same after all this time in their hands.

Almost two weeks of captivity by demons could change a man for life, even Roderick, one of the strongest warriors he knew.

If the demons hoped to get the best of them to come after Roderick, they’d succeeded.

What kind of trap were they walking into? A well-planned trap meant to capture the strongest demon slayers. Maybe this was bigger than just Roderick and him. He stuck his head under the stream of water concentrating on what lay ahead. The demons only expected him and maybe Kieran. They’d provided enough clues and information through Emma so that she would lure them there.

Was she fully aware of this whole scheme of theirs?

He pictured her straddling him just that morning and grunted.

Shit—definitely not the path his thoughts needed to go down right now. Not burdened by common sense, his body demanded her. Cyn hadn’t planned to be with her again. But the prospect of it made his pulse quicken.

Demon. She was part demon. Yet he hungered for her. She could be one of them, a killer. The reason the Protectors existed. He should be wary of her, feel guarded about her, but he didn’t.

He wanted her. Not just for tonight, but to claim her as his.

Naked, Cyn slipped into the bed and under the blankets. Emma appeared so fragile. She had curled up with her back to him, taking as little space as possible.

He closed his eyes and thought about Fallon’s words. That she had strong feelings for him.

Perhaps she did, but hate was as strong as love, if not stronger. He didn’t give a shit which one it was. Right now he just wanted her. The realization of how much shook him.

He slid closer to her and inhaled her familiar scent. Aroused he hugged her around the waist and drew her to him.

“Cyn,” Emma moaned, throwing her head back. It was unbelievable how much he craved the feel of her softness against him. He trailed kisses down her neck and cupped her breasts teasing her pebbled nipples.

“I want you,” he whispered in her ear.

Emma’s defenses melted from Cyn’s caresses and the three words eroded any willpower against him. Her judgment completely clouded by his intoxicating touch. The need to be with him became too strong for clear thought.

I can’t do this
. How could she spend an entire night with him? A tear of frustration glided down her cheek. What would happen tomorrow? Of course, she would never see him again, of that she was sure.

“Turn around Emma. Face me,” Cyn’s husky voice teased her ear.

Emma did as he asked. When she faced him, his eager mouth immediately took hers.  They kissed and Emma was grateful for another chance to be together.

She wanted to treasure this moment. Her fingers traveled over the smooth skin of his back and traced every wonderful inch of him.

His hardness pushed into her center and she shifted closer to him. It felt as if she could not be close enough. She needed to become totally surrounded by the feel of him.

As much as Emma ached for Cyn to be inside her, she fought to refrain from grabbing for him. He rolled her onto her back and held her arms up over her head. He feathered kisses on her breasts and took the time to lave each one as she begged him to enter her.

Cyn’s chuckle was low. “Not yet, I want to make this last Emma. I want to enjoy being with you.”

He suckled her breasts and tortured her with his hands. His finger slid in and out of her, Emma responded by riding his hand. His thumb began to play havoc on her body when he circled it around her swollen bud.

In a frantic effort to give him pleasure as well, she found his hardness and wrapped her hand around it. Matching the rhythm of his movements, she slid her hand up and down the silky flesh. Cyn pushed into her hand, a hoarse moan erupted from him. When his movements quickened, Emma whimpered as tremors shook her body.

Emma bit her lip to keep from crying out when she came. He waited for her body to settle. Then he climbed on top of her.

The orgasm did not sate her hunger for him. Emma almost wept when he finally pushed into her with deliberate slowness. The sensation of their union took her higher.

“You’re incredible,” he told her, eyes locked with hers.

Emma urged him on by wrapping her legs around his hips. She wanted every inch of him deep inside.

Cyn moaned at the feel of Emma’s heat as it surrounded his length. His incisors snapped down when she tightened around him. He pumped in and out of her hard and fast, not able to hold back. When she turned her head giving him ample access to her creamy throat, he couldn’t resist.

His fangs broke through her velvety skin and her blood rushed into his body fueling the ardor of the moment to a combustible intensity. His entire body shuddered in response as their senses became intertwined.

Emma flailed wildly when she climaxed. Her soft mewls vibrated in his ear at the same time her muscles constricted around his length, milking him. Not able to withstand the wonderful kneading, he growled as wave after wave of release spilled out of him.

All his strength momentarily sapped, Cyn floated back to the stark reality. He closed his eyes when she began to massage his back, her fingers like magic against his heated skin.

They lay like that a long time, the room silent, except for their labored breathing.

“It ends tomorrow doesn’t it?” Emma whispered into his ear while she ran her fingers through his hair. She asked the question, but they both already knew the answer. He wasn’t sure if she asked him or herself.

“Yes.” He lifted his head and was struck speechless when her heavy lashes lifted and her eyes met his. Never had he sensed emotion as deep as that reflected in her beautiful honeyed gaze.

Without warning, all the emotions of the last days appeared to hit her at once and Emma began to weep.

Cyn lifted off of her to hold her, and stroked her back. He didn’t ask her why she cried. Instead patted her shoulder feeling awkward, not quite sure what to do. Even though he was an immortal, he had little experience with women’s emotions. One thing he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt — he hated to see Emma cry.

“Shhh, tomorrow you’ll be with your sister and all will be fine,” he whispered to her.

When she calmed down, he wiped her tears away with a corner of the sheet.

She looked up at him, her pretty tear streaked face sad. “I am not sure why I’m crying.” She put her hand up to Cyn’s face. “I just wish things were different.”

Cyn kissed her and held her. He didn’t answer her. While she cried, she’d forgotten to keep her guard up and he’d been able to read her thoughts.

Now, he was certain she would betray him.

He was also sure he felt something for her. He cared for Emma.

Damn
.

Not until much later when she fell asleep, her breathing even and soft, did he reply.

“So do I.”

# # #

The weak rays of the dawn’s light peeked through the window coverings providing dim lighting. Kieran didn’t look surprised when Cyn walked into the kitchen and poured himself some coffee. Kieran must have noticed the tension in his brother’s face as Cyn took a seat and drank the coffee in silence.

“It is possible for us to find a mate Cyn. But it’s highly improbable,” Kieran told his silent brother. “We have to accept that most women are with us for one of two reasons. They either want to fuck us or fuck us over.”

Cyn nodded, his face grim. “I know.” Then he let out a breath. “That’s why we have to save Roderick. He’s one of the lucky ones. What he and Rachel have is rare.”

Kieran glared in response and his body visibly tensed. “Our reason for existing, and this includes Roderick, is solely to destroy demons. Women have no place in our lives.” Kieran shoved from the table and turned away, his shoulders rigid. Cyn could only imagine what old memories assailed his brother.

He started to ask, but just then Fallon, Thor, and Rowe walked in. The Protectors were all armed and ready to go.

Cyn grabbed his leather jacket from a hook behind the door and shrugged on the heavy garment. It was completely loaded, with sterling silver daggers hidden in special side pockets, the weight of it a solid assurance.

Besides his daggers, he carried a short broadsword at his hip. His bigger, longer sword, he secured across his back.

Four Protectors walked out and mounted separate motorcycles modified to go over two hundred miles an hour.

One Protector remained behind.