Provoked (29 page)

Authors: Rebecca Zanetti

BOOK: Provoked

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Tears filled Amber’s eyes.

“No,” Kane whispered. “Let me handle him.”

There wasn’t any way for Kane to handle him. If he shot the demon, the bastard would probably tear off Hilde’s head before they could stop him. Amber took a deep breath, shooting waves of pain toward the demon.

He smiled sharp fangs, his pale face warming with a light blush. “Nice try.”

The pain and images of dying puppies slammed into her brain. She cried out.

Then, the world went quiet. Dying puppies? Of course.

Tightening her hold on Kane’s hand, she followed her own path, something she should’ve thought of from the beginning. Blanketing the pain, she sent waves of peace and love toward the demon, all wrapped up in a pink baby blanket.

He stepped back, eyes widening.

Oh yeah, take that happy thought, asshole
. Fighting pain with pain had been a mistake. “I’m a pacifist,” she muttered, reminding herself. Then she sent more happy thoughts of puppies and daisies to counter the demon’s attack.

He visibly blanched, his hand dropping off Hilde’s neck.

Strength filled Amber. Her own strength of goodness. Shooting yet another warm wave toward the demon, she gasped when he growled again.

Kane took advantage of the moment and plunged his knife into the demon’s neck, twisting until the head rolled free. Then Kane focused on her. “I don’t believe it. You softened him into confusion.”

“All I did was counter his attack. If he would’ve stopped, I wouldn’t have been able to continue affecting him.” She opened her arms for her grandmother to rush inside. “Are you all right?”

Hilde hugged her tight, sniffing. “Yes.”

Amber sighed in relief. “Let’s get out of here.”

Oscar appeared at her side, a wide smile on his face. “I knew you’d be okay. Let’s go.”

The rocks crumbled around them, shards shooting toward their skin. Kane ducked around Amber to shield her.

She opened her eyes, dread slamming into her gut.

Five demon soldiers surrounded them. All with a myriad of silver metals lining their shoulders, black eyes narrowing.

Kane snarled, shoving her behind him.

Images, so many, so fast, slammed into Amber’s brain. Kane’s head jerked back. Oscar gave a pained growl.

Sucking in air, Amber grabbed her grandmother’s hand. “Remember when Mr. Doodles had puppies and we put pink bows on them all?”

Hilde nodded, blood sliding from her nose.

“Send that thought out to the demons . . . along with peace. Kindness filled with sugar. Trust me.”

Hilde gulped and nodded, shutting her eyes.

Amber centered herself, allowing the nameless chants to course through her blood. Then she sent all the peace and pretty images she could spiraling through the air.

The pain in her head receded.

Kane lifted to his full height.

One by one, the demons stilled in place and then returned to fighting without the mind attacks.

Amber kept up her happy thoughts, keeping an eye on her mate. Kane and Oscar battled the demons until all five were dead.

“That is so freakin’ weird,” Hilde muttered, her eyes wide.

Kane grabbed Amber’s hand. “Must be something about brain waves and turning their own attack back on them. You’re a blanket shield, sunshine.”

“I’m a pacifist, damn it.”

Nodding, Kane led the way through the tunnels and out to the breaking dawn. “Wait in the helicopter.” Waiting until she and Hilde sat safely inside surrounded by Oscar as well as other armed soldiers, he headed back into the earth.

Less than an hour later, the battle was over.

Kane assisted wounded soldiers into helicopters that headed off to various hospitals in Ireland.

He and Talen limped toward the helicopter, their faces grim. Dage stalked right behind them.

Kane tucked various guns and knives in pockets along his vest and pants. He shook his head as he neared. “Suri wasn’t anywhere here—damn coward. Nor were there any demon women or children. And there’s no sign of Jase.”

Hilde visibly jumped. “I heard something about a Jase while I was being kept underground.” Her face paled and her hands trembled in her lap.

All movement stopped, and the Kayrs men stared at Hilde.

Amber put an arm around her grandmother. “It’s okay. What did you hear?”

Hilde twisted her lip in an apologetic grimace. “I heard somebody named Jase died, and they buried him near the beach.”

Kane pivoted, his gaze taking in the entire area. Then he pointed toward a sweeping tree, bare branches reaching to the rapidly graying sky. “There’s fresh earth.”

As one, the Kayrs men ran toward the recently dug grave, digging rapidly with hands moving too fast to track. Dirt flew with their desperation.

Hilde gave a low sob, while all Amber could do was watch, her heart shattering.

Moira stood off to the side, her concerned gaze on Conn.

Talen yelled when he uncovered a foot.

Moving slower, the vampires carefully extracted dirt and rocks from the rest of the body.

The soldiers remaining in the area watched silently, keeping an eye on the Kayrs family while searching for threats.

Amber stood inside the massive helicopter for a better look.

Dage dropped to his knees, his eyes widening. “Jase.” The low tenor of his voice wound along with the breeze. Then he brushed off more dirt.

The youngest Kayrs brother was finally revealed, rocks and filth covering his bruised body.

Moira buried her face in Conn’s side as he stared down at his brother.

Kane dropped next to Dage, leaning forward with a frown on his face. He reached toward Jase, his hands trembling. Then he gasped, eyes lighting up with—hope. Definitely hope. “Jase’s head is still attached—barely.” Kane jerked up, his gaze on Talen. “Get bandages. Now.”

Before Talen could turn, two soldiers ran forward with a medic kit.

Kane quickly grabbed gauze, wrapping what was left of Jase’s neck together. “Give him blood.”

Sharp fangs dropped from Dage’s mouth that he dug into his wrist. He put the blood to Jase’s pale lips.

The liquid poured inside.

Seconds passed.

Then minutes, and nobody even seemed to breathe.

Finally, Jase’s chest heaved.

He shoved at Dage, his hands clawing. “Let me go.”

“Never.” Tears filled Dage’s eyes. “Keep drinking.” He lifted his head, his gaze on Kane. A slow smile crossed the king’s face. “We’ve got him.”

C
HAPTER
32

K
ane took a deep breath, leaving Jase in the hospital bed at headquarters. The youngest Kayrs brother refused to talk to any of them. His recovery was going to take some time. And the fact that he’d still had a tendon attached in his neck had kept Kane awake and pondering several nights. The demons wouldn’t have made that mistake. They’d let Jase live.

Why?

For now, Kane didn’t have to figure that out. Now, he needed to help his brother recover.

Every time Kane visited, he opened up his senses along with his emotions. The act was getting easier each time, and soon he’d help his brother heal. No doubt the skills he’d gained from mating Amber would come in handy at some point.

They’d been home for two weeks.

He still hadn’t mastered his new skills, but Amber seemed to be doing well with hers. The fact that she’d smothered the demon attack with kindness and gentleness still impressed the hell out of him. She’d found her own way and won.

During that two weeks, Amber had been trying his patience beyond belief. When she wasn’t training with everyone who had a different gift, she was messing with Kane’s life. The brat was trying to get out of their hundred-year agreement.

He’d kept her more than busy in bed at night, and each time with her was better than the last. But during the day, the woman had run wild. She’d replaced all his food with organic food, had turned several of his soldiers into vegans, and had gotten his sisters-in-law on her side regarding love and forever.

They pestered him daily.

He shook his head. The idea of losing her made his entire body ache. The woman loved him—shouldn’t she be trying to stay with him?

He just needed a little more time to figure things out and find a cure for the virus before the damn bug attacked his mate. He was getting closer, he just knew it. So his mate could just relax. They had eternity, for goodness’ sake.

He opened his lab on the third floor and stopped short. Rabbits, mice, and his five monkeys bounded around the room, free as could be. Worse yet, string cheese covered every available space, and empty dented cans were scattered everywhere.

She hadn’t.

She truly hadn’t given the monkeys cans of string cheese. The very same unhealthy string cheese she’d campaigned against the previous week.

Walter opened his mouth and spit cheese. Then the damn monkey grinned.

Son of a bitch.

Talen clomped up behind him. “Is Jase any better today?”

Kane couldn’t answer, his mouth open as he stared at his once pristine lab.

Talen glanced around him and barked a short laugh. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“I—” Kane shook his head, gaze dropping to his favorite microscope. A rabbit sitting under the scope twitched its cheese-covered nose.

Talen clapped him on the back. “You’d better get your mate under control and now.”

“I’m telling Cara you said that,” Kane murmured absently. A beaker crashed to the floor as a mouse ran by on the counter.

“Whatever. Conn and Moira are heading home tomorrow, and my mate will be here tonight.”

“So?” Kane growled as Walter threw a microscope at the far wall.

“So, we’ll all be in one place if you want to have a wedding.”

Kane started. “A wedding? You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Talen pivoted to go.

Kane turned and grabbed his brother’s arm. “You’re not helping me clean up?”

Talen glanced over his shoulder at the devastation. “Not in a million fucking years. It’s your own fault you haven’t told her you love her. Dipshit.” He shrugged free, whistling a jaunty tune as he sauntered down the hallway.

Kane took a tentative step into the lab, his loafer sliding on cheese. His arms wind-milled, and he crashed to the ground. Finally, the temper he didn’t have roared through him.

Then humor.

He grinned as Walter swung to the far wall, licking cheese off his lips. Kane threw back his head and laughed.

The thought occurred to him that he’d laughed more since meeting Amber than he’d done in three centuries.

His heart warmed.

The brand on his palm pounded.

Reality smacked him hard in the face, nearly jerking his head back.

He loved her.

Not in a running-through-daisies way, but in a forever, he’d-be-devastated-without-her way.

As he finally allowed himself to believe in forever, love, and fate . . . his shoulders relaxed. The world finally made sense.

Oh, he loved the little minx.

But man, things were going to change.

Dage Kayrs skirted the large lab, not wanting to see the mess. He’d talk to Kane later. Maneuvering through the underground hallways, he found his mate at the small lab.

Emma’s dark hair was pulled back in a clip while faded jeans hugged her sexy hips. No makeup adorned her pretty face, and the logo on her T-shirt was faded beyond recognition. As usual, the queen of the Realm was at work, her amazing mind spinning as she tried to cure the virus. She stood, reading a file, muttering under her breath.

Dage leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. “I told you to get some rest.”

She looked up with a frown. “I’m just reading. How’s Jase?”

“The same, though his neck has finally healed.” Dage sighed deeply. “He won’t even talk to me so I can help him.”

Emma grimaced. “Give him time. They really messed with his head. Jase is strong; he’ll heal emotionally, too.”

“I hope so.” Dage studied his mate. Lines of stress cut under her eyes. “You have a headache.”

She shrugged. “A little.”

He reached out and wiped his thumb across her head, drawing the pain into his skull. A quick push and the ache disappeared.

“That’s so cool how you do that,” Emma murmured.

Yeah. Too bad the virus was so strong, or maybe vampires with infected mates could yank it free. Talen had tried so many damn times—without success.

Dage forced a frown. “Rumor has it Kane’s large lab was destroyed by a multitude of animals and string cheese.” Talen had reported in within minutes of escaping the disaster.

Emma bit her lip. “Now that’s unfortunate.”

Oh, her stunning eyes couldn’t hide the truth from him. “I believe Amber Freebird probably had an accomplice or two, love.”

Emma tossed the file to land on the granite countertop between two humming machines. Wincing slightly, she straightened her arms and stretched her graceful neck. “Maybe the monkeys did it.”

Dage grinned. “Kane is murderous when planning paybacks, and you’re on your own.”

Her eyes darkened, and she took soft steps toward him. “You wouldn’t protect me from big, bad Kane?”

“Nope.” Dage allowed her amazing smile to send peace through his body. Finally, he could relax and focus on family. “You deserve whatever he comes up with as revenge.”

She reached him, sliding her hands up to his neck. “Hmm. I wonder if I could change your mind.”

The woman was dangerous as hell and could actually destroy his mind. “I don’t know. Just how persuasive are you talking?”

She licked her lips, pressing along his length. “I can be very persuasive.”

He fought a groan, trying to keep his face set in calm lines. It wouldn’t do to let the blue-eyed seductress know how easily she affected him. “We haven’t been swimming in a while.” Then he ducked, tossing her over a shoulder.

She yelped and smacked his back. “Why do you always do this?”

He grabbed her butt in a strong grip. “So I can do this.” She predictably tried to kick him, so he banded an arm around her legs while jogging down to the underground pool.

“I’m the queen, damn it,” Emma hissed.

“You only play the queen card when you want to get out of something.” They reached the pool, and he swung her around to cradle easily in his arms. Her narrowed gaze almost made him laugh. “What?”

“Don’t even think—” she screeched as she flew through the air to land with a splash.

She came up to the surface sputtering.

He laughed and yanked off his clothes. “Time to play, my queen.”

Talen met the helicopter at the landing site and ripped open the door to gather his mate in his arms.

Cara laughed, snuggling close and kissing his chin as he lifted her out. “I take it you missed me?”

The damn world finally righted as he held her, the scent of wild honeysuckle wrapping around his heart and squeezing. “Yes. I missed you terribly. You’re never leaving me again, mate.” He looked up to give a nod to his son.

Garrett jumped to the ground. The fourteen-year-old stood at six feet with odd metallic gray eyes and a charming smile. “Hi, Dad. I kissed a shifter.”

Cara groaned. “Your son is a little Casanova. He had the feline fathers ready to cut off his head.”

Pride filled Talen as he set Cara down on her feet. “That’s my boy.”

“Wrong response.” Cara punched him in the arm.

Talen gathered his son for a hug. “We’ll talk later,” he whispered to the boy.

Garrett laughed, stepping back. “It’s a deal.” He sobered. “How’s Uncle Jase?”

“He’s getting better,” Talen lied. A long time ago, the carefree look in Garrett’s eyes had lived in Jase’s. Sorrow had Talen forcing a smile.

Cara leaned into his chest, stroking gently. “Jase will be fine.” The little empath always could read him.

Talen nodded. “I know.”

Garrett glanced around. “Where’s Janie?”

Talen turned to lead his family indoors. “She’s learning to play bridge from Hilde Freebird.” He paused. “I think something’s up with Janie, but I can’t figure it out. Probably girl stuff.”

Cara raised an eyebrow. “Girl stuff?”

“Yeah, girl stuff.” Thank God his mate was home to deal with the confusing girl stuff.

Cara slid her arm around his waist. “Speaking of girl stuff, how is Kane doing with Amber?”

“I think there will be a wedding in the very near future, whether the genius likes it or not.” Talen smiled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a month. Well, since Cara had left to help the shifters.

Cara gasped, a wide smile filling her face. “A wedding? Oh, how fun.”

Garrett groaned. “Why can’t they elope? You know Uncle Kane will want to just get it done.”

Talen shook his head. “That’s not how marriage works.” Unfortunately. “Plus, just think how much fun it’ll be watching Kane run in circles.” Oh yeah, this was going to be a lot of fun.

Garrett frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“That’s because you’re a sweetheart, Garrett,” Cara murmured.

The kid rolled his eyes. “Mom.”

Talen grinned at his son. “Don’t worry, we’ll go later and try the new guns Kane created. They take a tree out at a hundred yards.”

“Oh yeah!” Excitement sizzled Garrett’s eyes into a deep silver.

They reached the entrance to headquarters, and Talen eyed Garrett. “For now, why don’t you go learn how to play bridge?”

Garrett opened his mouth to protest, and then glanced from his father to his mother and back. A pink blush wandered from his neck to cover his angled face. “Um, yeah. I’ll do that. ’Bye.” He turned and all but ran in the other direction.

Cara chuckled. “You’re terrible.”

Talen swung her up in his arms, where she belonged. “Let me show you how terrible I can be.” His mouth took hers even as he hurried for their quarters. Reaching the door, he kicked the heavy steel open. “I missed you.”

She smiled, her eyes a deep blue. “I missed you, too.”

The world was all right now that she was where he wanted her. “I’m so glad you’re home, my mate.”

Then his mouth descended on hers again.

Max Petrovsky frowned at the angry brunette currently shouting at him. His Sarah wasn’t a shouter. Why in the world was she yelling? Finally, she wound down, pretty brown eyes sparking.

Her eyebrows lifted. “Well?”

Shit. He’d been so surprised at her yelling that he hadn’t listened to her words. “Um . . . I’m sorry?”

Her gaze narrowed. “For what?”

He shuffled his humungous feet. “For whatever pissed you off so much.”

Wrong answer. He knew it the second the words left his mouth. The woman grabbed a vase to throw at his head.

At that point, he’d had enough. Plucking the flying vase out of the air by the little handle, he went for his woman.

She backed up, eyes widening.