OnsetofDanger (12 page)

She stilled and gazed past him, apparently lost in thought.
“Tara told me it took her years to learn how to identify blood types by taste.
Vladya strain does well in any type, so I wasn’t sure why she bothered.”

“If Tara has been typing blood for years then she likely
knew about the potential of AB positive blood long before she snatched the Rom
captives.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Some of the color returned to her cheeks
but she still avoided his gaze.

Eloise was right. He shouldn’t jump to conclusions. “Tara
might not have realized the multi-strain capacity, but she obviously
understands that AB positive hosts produce unusually powerful abilities.”

Her gaze shot back to his, sharp and conflicted. “Both
Garrett and I are AB positive hosts and we were hand-selected by Tara. It can’t
be a coincidence.”

“You were initiated with Tara’s blood?” She nodded. “But
Garrett was born with symbionts?” Again her only response was a stiff nod. “Is
it possible he hosts more than one strain?”

She shook her head and pulled her hands from her pockets,
fiddling with the hem of her shirt instead. “We’ve shared blood more than once
while on assignment. My symbionts would have sensed another strain.”

“Not necessarily. Caitlyn’s Rom symbionts avoided detection
while her blood was tasted. It’s a matter of control. My symbionts can filter
blood as I ingest it or avoid the transfer as I pass blood to someone else.
Whenever my symbionts leave my body, it’s an intentional exchange.”

“You can share blood with hosts from other strains?”

His eyes tingled as he focused on the slender arch of her
neck. “Is that an offer or a request?”

She licked her lips then glanced away. “Neither.” She walked
into the kitchen, her stride long and purposeful. Then she suddenly stopped and
looked back at him. “Are all the Rom captives AB positive hosts? Is that what
this is about?”

Not only were the captives all AB positive hosts, but they
had all been initiated by Inatta, head of Rom strain. But he’d told Eloise
enough for now. Trust needed to be built in stages. “They are. And if Garrett
is an AB positive host as well, it’s likely he and Tara are experimenting on
the captives, making sure the process is perfected before they try it on
Garrett.”

Silence descended as she rummaged through the cupboards and
found a glass. “If Rom strain flourishes in AB positive hosts, why haven’t the
captives used their abilities to escape?”

“We’re not sure. They might be collared or Garrett might
have a formula similar to the one the Levari used on you.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me. Apparently I don’t know Garrett
nearly as well as I thought I did. I knew he was ambitious and…focused, but I
had no idea he was capable of this sort of cruelty.” Her denial sounded a bit
hollow and guilt clouded her gaze. It was more likely she’d suspected Garrett
was a ruthless bastard and she’d turned a blind eye to his cruelty. She poured
herself a glass of water before she said, “I still have one question.”

“Only one?”

“Oh I have many, but one that won’t wait.” She finished the
water and set the glass aside. “Why did the Rom only initiate females?”

Damn. He’d hoped to avoid the more disturbing possibilities.
Not that experimenting on human captives wasn’t disturbing enough. He ambled
toward her, joining her in the kitchen without crowding the limited space.
“There is one more layer to Inatta’s discovery. When a human with AB positive
blood conceives a child with a pureblood host from a different strain, their
child is born with both symbiotic strains.”

Eloise didn’t look convinced. “That’s what Inatta thinks or
that’s what she knows?”

“Caitlyn is the result of such a union. That’s how Inatta
originally made the connection and eventually learned the rest.”

With her hand pressed over her throat, Eloise shook her head
as if she could will away the facts. “No wonder Tara gave this to Garrett.
They’re trying to create a generation of Rom-Vladya hybrids.”

“That’s our conclusion as well.” He gave her a moment to
digest the information then he pressed on, “Where are they most likely to have
taken the captives? We need to find them before it’s too late.”

Edrick Yeager paused to enjoy the cool night breeze as he
stepped out of the office building. The majority of his business associates
were Strigo hosts, but occasionally he encountered a situation that required
human involvement. Tonight was one of those rare occasions.

“Did the meeting go well?” Jerome, head of Edrick’s security
team, stepped up beside him as they started toward the lone car in the parking
lot. Jerome would drive him back to the estate if he wanted or Edrick could
flash himself home and Jerome would follow in the car. Such precautions were
only necessary when Edrick was dealing with humans, which was one of the
reasons Edrick preferred to do business with his own kind.

“I ended up paying more for the property than I wanted but
the location is ideal.”

“Location is everything when it comes to real estate. Or so
I’ve been told.”

“Mr. Yeager?” The soft female voice seemed to drift on the
breeze and then a woman stepped out of the shadows. Jerome moved in front of
Edrick, partially blocking Edrick’s view of the woman. She held up her hands
and smiled. “I’m unarmed. I just need a moment of your time.”

Edrick scanned the female and then the entire parking lot
but sensed no threat, nothing out of the ordinary. Unless she had unusually
strong shields, she was human and alone. His fangs tingled at the thought and
he motioned Jerome back. She couldn’t be as helpless as she seemed. She’d known
his name. That alone made him suspicious.

“Make it quick,” he told her. “It’s been a long night already.”

“I have a message from General Kovac.” She looked pointedly
at Jerome. “She insisted that I wait until we are alone before I give it to
you.”

“I’m not interested in anything Tara Kovac has to say.” He
turned toward the car but the woman caught his arm.

“She hasn’t forgotten about Abigail.”

The name brought him up short and challenged his
self-control. He clenched his fists and silently battled the emotions twisting
through him. Anger and shame, lust and loss, but most of all regret. The wily
bitch chose this moment to throw Abigail in his face? Tara must be even more
desperate than he thought.

“Get in.” He motioned Jerome toward the car without taking
his eyes off the woman. She wore a hip-length sweater and jeans tucked into
high-heeled boots. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail
and—though the moonlight concealed their color—he had no doubt her eyes were
blue. She was older than Abigail and her features lacked the purity he’d found
so fascinating, but the resemblance was notable. “Deliver your message and then
leave. I’m not in the mood for games.” He twisted his arm out of her loose
grip.

“General Kovac wants you to know that she is still committed
to the truce between Vladya and Strigo strains.”

“She has a strange way of demonstrating her commitment.”

“She knows that you’ve been sleeping with Inatta and she’s
afraid the affair has skewed your perception.”

“My personal life has nothing to do with Tara Kovac.” But
how the hell had Tara found out about him and Inatta? They’d indulged their
passions a few times and then Inatta had returned to her territory. The
flash-fire attraction could hardly be termed an affair.

The messenger ignored his objection and continued, “General
Kovac isn’t sure what Inatta told you about the females currently under Vladya
protection, but they are not being abused in any way. Inatta initiated these
females against their will and was experimenting on them. General Kovac
rescued
them and has been scrambling to keep them safe ever since.”

Edrick chuckled. “Yes, Tara is well-known for her mercy and
compassion for initiated humans.”

“More to the point, this conflict is between Inatta and
Tara. It need not concern Strigo strain.”

“Unfortunately for Tara, Prince Alexi has taken a personal
interest in the situation.” It was possible that Tara hadn’t found out that
Caitlyn was a spy, so Edrick kept the comment vague.

The blonde moved closer, her eyes wide and luminous in the
moonlight. A light floral perfume floated over her natural musk. She appeared
guileless and approachable, innocent and sweet. Did she taste as fresh as she
smelled? Lust stirred within Edrick and he imagined bending her over the hood
of the car and fucking her fast and hard while he fed from her throat.

“Things were a lot less complicated before Prince Alexi
arrived.”

Her calm statement drew him back from the tantalizing
fantasy. “Meaning?”

She licked her lips and glanced into the distance. “If
you’re interested in restoring the balance of power on Earth, Tara is more than
willing to assist you.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and tried to dismiss the
temptation. Alexi was his nephew. There was no way he would allow anything to
harm another Yeager.

But the Vladya bitch was right—Earth had been a far less
complicated place before Alexi’s arrival.

“I have no interest in
murdering
my brother’s son,”
Edrick insisted. He shoved his hand into his pocket, feeling restless and
annoyed.

“We’ll give you two days to think about all the
possibilities and then I’ll contact you again.”

“You’re wasting your time.”

She just smiled and nodded toward the car. “Your driver’s
waiting. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

Edrick’s heart lodged in his throat as he watched Tara’s
messenger walk away. Damn the conniving bitch to hell. She’d known exactly
where to strike. As the younger son of a king, Edrick had grown up knowing true
power and authority would never be his. Edrick had received the same education
and training as his older brother, yet everyone knew Edrick was only a
contingency plan.

But all that changed when he’d come to Earth. He’d enjoyed
being the ultimate authority, one of the most powerful hosts, Strigo
strain’s…king. For almost two hundred years he’d enjoyed the exclusive
position.

And then Alexi arrived.

He took a deep breath and shook away the lingering muddle.
He couldn’t allow Tara to kill Alexi. It was unthinkable.

“Is everything all right, sir?” Jerome asked as he scrambled
out of the car and opened the door for Edrick.

“Everything’s fine.” He even managed to sound convincing,
but the restlessness remained.

* * * * *

Eloise entered six locations into Bronik’s phone and handed
the device back to him. “The most probable is listed first.”

He looked over the list and then sent the text, likely to
Alexi, Edrick or both.

It was official. She was a traitor, a Strigo spy.

She swallowed hard, uncomfortable with the realization. Her
position within Vladya strain had been compromised when the Levari took her
captive, but she had done this of her own free will. Tara and Garrett both
treated initiated hosts with a certain level of disdain. Only hosts born with
symbionts were considered “pureblood” and worthy of respect. If the captives
remained under their control, abuse was almost guaranteed.

Bronik slipped the phone back into his pocket and ambled
toward her. The kitchen wasn’t large to begin with and his tall,
broad-shouldered body seemed to eclipse the limited space. “I’ve given you as
much time as I dare. What’s your decision?”

Tension pulsed around them, alive and electric. This was it.
She had to make her choice and live with the consequences. Could she willingly
surrender to the feelings he unleashed within her? It wasn’t a matter of
desire. Her body had already cast its vote, aching for his touch, his kiss. But
her mind clung to the past, to familiar perceptions and emotions. She’d spent
her entire life in Tara’s shadow. Vladya strain was all she knew.

“Submit to your sexual demands or die of starvation?” She
tilted her head and smirked. “Gee, let me think.”

Her sarcasm seemed to please him. He smiled in return and
traced her jawline with his knuckle. “This fire ignited when you interrogated
me. Are you still trying to pretend you don’t feel it too?”

Pretending her paralyzed symbionts were the only reason she
was doing this was easier on her conscience than admitting the truth. She
didn’t want to die, but her desire for Bronik had smoldered long before her
health crisis. Their attraction had been instantaneous and combustible. It
likely would have flared into action even if the Levari hadn’t crippled her.

“We often want things that are bad for us,” she pointed out.

“What makes you think I’ll be bad for you?” He moved in
close, surrounding her with his heat, yet the light press of his fingers
against her cheek remained their only point of contact. “Part your lips.”

He used his thumb to tilt her head back as he lowered his
face toward hers. She opened her mouth, waiting, wanting. Something so wrong
shouldn’t be this hard to resist.

His lips brushed hers, teasing and soothing as their breaths
mingled. She reached back and grabbed the counter’s edge, needing the support
yet not wanting to reveal how wobbly her legs had become.

He pushed her shirt up and tugged on the front of her jeans.
“Take these off. I didn’t give you permission to cover yourself.”

And so it began. This wasn’t just sex, a mutual exchange of
pleasure. He wanted to master her, to bend her to his will. Most male hosts
were dominant to some extent, but Strigo strain was the most aggressive. Strigo
men required submission from their lovers without exception. And Bronik was a
Yeager. He would doubtlessly need her surrender to find release. This wasn’t
something they could fake. She had to willingly submit.

She unfastened the top of her jeans then paused. She’d spent
her entire life trying to be strong, independent and self-reliant. How could
she put all that aside and allow herself to be commanded?

What other choice did she have? She’d severed all ties with
Vladya strain when she agreed to cooperate with Bronik. Eloise’s motive for
cooperating would mean nothing to Tara. Tara would dispatch her assassins and
continue on as if Eloise had never existed.

With slow, deliberate movements, Eloise lowered the zipper
and wiggled out of her jeans. Bronik’s shirt still covered her crucial areas
but the striptease made her feel vulnerable and breathless.

“Raise your arms.” His voice remained calm, almost
conversational, but already flecks of green sparkled in the depths of his dark
eyes. She obeyed and he pulled the shirt off then casually tossed it aside.

She stood before him naked, arms at her sides, flushed and
anxious yet not really afraid. He’d had numerous opportunities to harm her and
he’d chosen to protect her instead. If he’d left her with the Levari she’d most
likely be dead. She could trust him with her life, but could she trust him with
her pleasure?

Memories scrolled through her mind and a secret smile tugged
at the corners of her mouth. He’d already demonstrated his skill and
willingness to put her needs before his. What more did she want from him?

“I offer my protection, my strength, my life. With me as
your sworn protector, you will be treated with respect by others of my strain
and you’ll know only pleasure at my hands.” His voice was deep, his tone
serious. “What do you offer in return?” She started to speak but he shook his
head and motioned toward the floor. “You must kneel.”

He was fully dressed and she was naked. He would stand and
she would kneel. The ceremony was obviously designed to accent the dynamics of
their arrangement. Submit. Surrender. Her body would belong to him. And his
life
would belong to her. So who was making the bigger sacrifice?

Desire curled through her torso and lodged between her
thighs. She shouldn’t find this exciting but her reaction was undeniable. She
slowly sank to her knees and looked up at him, heart thudding madly in her
chest. This felt significant, as if she were about to pledge far more than her
body.

“What do you offer?” he prompted. “And is your offer made
willingly?”

She rested her hands on her thighs and took a deep breath.
“I offer my willing submission. My body belongs to you, but only to you. I will
not be passed around like a blood-slave.”

He chuckled, amusement softening his stern expression. “I’ll
permit the stipulation, though it’s unnecessary. I have no intention of
allowing anyone else to touch you.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Then offer me your mouth so we can finalize the agreement.”

Her face was on a level with the distinct ridge in the front
of his jeans so his meaning was obvious. He didn’t want a kiss. He wanted to
fuck her mouth. She generally enjoyed oral pleasures but this felt different
somehow, more ritualistic.

He brushed her hair back from her face then rested his hands
on her shoulders, waiting.

She unfastened his jeans and lowered the zipper, her pulse
accelerating with each metallic click. She didn’t want a protector, didn’t want
to be so helpless she couldn’t defend herself. Vladya hosts were strong,
ruthless warriors. This felt like defeat before the battle was fought.

His hands remained on her shoulders as she drew his cock out
and caressed it. He was long and thick with a dramatically flared tip,
surprisingly warm within the circle of her fingers. She slid her fist up and
down as she eased her other hand inside his open pants and cupped his balls. He
didn’t rush her, didn’t maneuver toward her mouth or pull her closer. She
explored, learning his texture and scent before moving on to taste.

She continued to pump his shaft and he shifted restlessly.
His balls tightened, drawing up against his body. She bent toward him and
teased the sensitive tip with her warm breath. He groaned and squeezed her
shoulders.

“The vow is sealed with an exchange of fluids, first come
and then blood.” His gravelly tone sent a hot tingle down her spine and she
looked up at him. His features were tense, eyes softly glowing with emerald
intensity.