Scent of Salvation (Chronicles of Eorthe #1) (15 page)

“Stop it!” she shouted loud enough for the echo to hurt her sensitive hearing.

Jerking to a halt, the shifter shot her a glare, his ears pinned flat to the top of his head.

She assessed Benic carefully. He was provoking Ahote on purpose. A distraction? From what? “Did you find your evidence?” The scent of his anxiety grew. Odd how the smell of fear hadn’t surfaced while a shifter threatened to eat him. Either Benic wasn’t afraid to die or he thought himself a better warrior than Ahote. She didn’t care to find out the answer.

“Doesn’t matter now. The human is gone.” From her experience in dealing with Benic, that translated to a yes.

“Hold him still.” She waited while Ahote twisted Benic around and pinned him to the wall so he couldn’t move. Searching his gear and pockets, she found nothing, but within his pouch… “We were supposed to search for this together this morning.” She held up a white rectangle with Susan’s image somehow affixed to it. Scratching the surface, she couldn’t find an edge to the picture. “Amazing. Then you believe her story about other worlds is true?”

“What?” Ahote twisted to face her and must have loosened his grip on Benic, since the vampire tore from his hold. He didn’t run though.

Benic straighten his chainmail shirt. “Yes, I believe her.” Once again he smelled like truth.

She rubbed the odd, solid material with her thumb. “So you decided to search for this without me last night. You made it through the tunnels easily enough on your way out but lost your way on the return?”

“Why am I the one being questioned?”

Raising an eyebrow, she tried not to laugh. “Because you were the last one to see them, silly.”

He made a disquieting noise. “I’ve taught you too well, Kele.”

“Yes, you have, and you still haven’t answered most of my questions, ferret.”

“Very well. Sorin ambushed me within the tunnels and forced me to lead them out. I did my best to persuade Susan to return to my castle instead. When I had her convinced, Sorin attacked me.” He pointed to the bruise on his face. “He knocked me unconscious and I assume took Susan with him.”

“We should have protected her better.” Kele noticed Ahote flinched but she hadn’t directed the comment at him on purpose.
Males…
She rolled her eyes. Susan had worn Ahote’s mark. Sorin stealing her away would reflect poorly on the dark shifter.

Pocketing the strange item that bore Susan’s likeness, Kele left the males where they stood.

“Where are you going?” Benic grabbed the lantern and hurried to follow.

“Back to the den. Like you said, Sorin and Susan are long gone. There’s not much I can do for her.” The Apisi were known for their feral treatment of lesser pack members, but Sorin didn’t seem to act like his father who she’d only met once as a child and had had nightmares about for weeks.

Sorin didn’t stir those kinds of fears. Then again, she’d grown up and learned to deal with her terrors.

Ahote joined them, his ears twitching in annoyance. “All this bother and no results. Your father won’t be happy about losing Sorin.”

“I know.” She sighed. That meant the pack would walk on eggshells for the next few days. Better to stay within her rooms or better yet… “We can camp on Temple lands until my father’s temper cools. Susan expressed her wish to return home many times. Maybe she’ll come back in search of the blue light?”

Ahote caught her gaze, an understanding passed between them and he nodded. “I’ll gather supplies.” He’d be the center of her father’s displeasure if he stayed.

She restrained a smile. He was the closest thing she had to a sibling. They’d grown up together as pups and understood each other’s thoughts at times. If he wasn’t such a dog turd, she would have considered mating him.

Sunlight marked the exit out of the tunnels, and she hurried to leave her entourage behind.

However, Benic caught her in the den’s garden by the entrance. “We could organize a rescue.”

She spun around. Her long braid swung with the sharp momentum and landed over her shoulder. She gripped it like a security rope and tugged. “A rescue?”

“We can’t leave her there.”

“We can’t cross into Apisi territory either. My father won’t start a war over a female he considers a stray.” She didn’t need her nose to smell the scheming.

“She’s a different…” He glanced at some guards who were dressing by the entrance then pulled her farther into the garden. “From another world.”

“So what?” She released her braid.

“Aren’t you the least bit curious about what she knows?”

“A little. Not enough to break our laws. Or allow you to take her away.” She glimpsed Ahote over Benic’s shoulder as he dressed.

Her guard watched them, his face stern.

“Why would you think that?”

“Vampires always seek to control the unknown. I can see Susan’s whole existence inspiring new ideas in your mind.” The human had nobody to protect her. No pack, no family, no species. If Benic stole her away, no one would stop him.

“I’m not going to take her prisoner, Kele. She didn’t appear to want to leave with Sorin. She wanted to come with me.” Benic drew closer and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Who knows what he’s doing to her?”

“Sorin wouldn’t mistreat a person.” Doubt clawed her gut. She couldn’t ignore the terrible stories circulating about the Apisi.

“You don’t know him. The last Apisi alpha abused his people. Why do you think that has changed?” With a light touch, he trailed his hand along her arm.

Goose bumps blossomed on her skin, and her back went rigid at the suddenly pleasant sensation. “Sorin’s not his father’s son.”

“Is that so?” Something possessive flashed in his green eyes. “Why do you think this?”

“Not that it should be any of your concern but when I found Susan, I spoke with Sorin then. He could have attacked as Ahote did or attempted to make deals like you but he held to our laws. He acted as an alpha should.”

Benic clenched his jaw as he stared down at her. The ferret she’d played with growing up had changed to something darker, hungrier. “Monsters beget monsters. Sorin may act more rational than his sire but eventually, his feral side will prevail.”

“I don’t believe—but…” Was it possible? She didn’t sense evil in Sorin. Had she read her instincts so poorly? The Apisi pack had a bad reputation for a reason. What was happening to Susan as they spoke? Maybe Benic was correct and they should rescue her.

“Why the whispers?” Ahote gave the vampire a friendly smile as he returned, dressed and in civil form, but she knew the welcoming grin was false. “Making intimate plans?” He poked Benic’s hand on her arm with his sharp fingernail.

“Something of that nature.” Benic’s hand lingered on her arm a moment longer before dropping. He didn’t have a chance against Ahote in a challenge. Shifters were born fighters. Or at least, that’s what she’d always been told. But Benic hadn’t smelled of fear while in Ahote’s grasp.

Then again, vampires won their wars with words and tricks.

She groaned internally at the thought and glared at the fanged ferret. The sneak had almost convinced her to storm Apisi lands with his sweet words. By sowing doubts in her heart, Benic would have changed her mind.

Constant vigilance was needed when dealing with Benic. He knew how to manipulate others with his will, and a lonely female shifter could easily fall into his traps.

She retreated from both males. “No plans. He is just voicing his concerns for Susan’s welfare.”

Benic snorted and bowed slightly to her. “I’ll be in my room if you wish to finish our discussion.”

Kele watched him climb the closest set of stairs.

“Be careful of that one.” Ahote spoke softly by her ear.

She glanced at her primary guard. “Benic is just frustrated he isn’t getting his way. Let him sulk.”

“I don’t know what mischief he’s trying to involve you in but that’s not what I’m worried about.” He gestured to her body. “I don’t like the way his eyes follow you.”

“Me?” She laughed. Benic liked to flirt but he’d never expressed any real interest in her. “He’s harmless in regards to seducing me, Ahote.”

“Bloodsuckers are many things but harmless isn’t one of them.” He held her gaze for a moment before strolling farther into the den.

She remained in the deep shadows of the trees, pretending not to notice as he sat next to a homely omega female who was darning some clothing. The female set it aside when Ahote joined her.

A few whispered words in her ear, and she followed him away from her chores.

Sighing, Kele crossed her arms. Not that she’d ever bed Ahote, but it would be nice if someone asked. Being a virgin was becoming tedious. She grabbed her braid and gave it a hard tug. Why shouldn’t she ask one of the unmated hunters to her room? Because she wished someone would ask her, want her.

None of the males viewed Kele as a potential mate. They saw the daughter of their overbearing alphas and a defective shifter who owned no feral side. She wiped a stray tear from her cheek before anyone could see it. Weakness was her enemy.

The chime of chains drew her attention from the doorway Ahote and his new lover had escaped through. Benic stomped down the stairs carrying his travel bag.

Now what?

The vampire frowned, appearing deep in thought as he approached her, and tossed the bag at her feet.

“Leaving so soon? I thought you’d stay and join us at the Temple.” She kept her tone light and uninterested but it was a lie. Benic’s curiosity ruled him. She doubted he would leave Susan alone until all his questions were answered.

“I’m going home.” He smelled of truth once more.

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh.” His honesty shocked her so much she forgot to mask her disappointment. She’d miss his devious company, no matter how irritating.

He stepped closer, pushing her farther into the garden’s shadows.

The hard wall of the den stopped her retreat. She couldn’t take a deep breath around the band of anticipation constricting her lungs.

He cupped her cheek, his body so close it sent tingles of alarm through her skin. “Come home with me.”

All her usual witty retorts vanished. “What?” Warmth ignited in her lower abdomen. Ahote had been right. She took a shaky breath. What would her mother think if she took Benic as a lover? Oh the rebellious havoc that would cause.

With his thumb, he stroked her face. Tender and slow, his touch awakened a need between her thighs.

“I—I can’t, Benic. The scandal would be fun…but my father.”

“Let me handle your father.” He leaned toward her. “What do you want?” His lips almost brushed hers.

Lightheaded from the lack of air, Kele braced her hands against the wall. “I don’t know.” She wanted a mate, a true bonding of hearts and souls. Like her parents. Benic would never fulfill those desires.

He closed the short distance, melding their mouths in a sweet kiss. His lips were soft and full as they moved over hers, tasting exotic and male. Slow and leisurely, he explored her mouth.

She tried to relax and enjoy the moment but the shock kept her tense.

He slipped his tongue inside and stroked along hers.

She jerked at the initial silky touch. She’d seen others kiss this way, had even fantasized about it, but the current of desire it built inside her made her want more.

Taking his time, Benic encouraged her tongue to touch his by moaning with her delicate exploration.

Each pass of his mouth chipped away at her tension until she melted against his body and kissed him back.

Then it ended as quickly as it began.

Her eyes fluttered open. A wave of heat crept up her skin, starting at her toes and burning the tips of her ears.

A secret smile curled on Benic’s face. “You can think about that until I return.”

“When will that be?” The question came out before she could stop it.

“As soon as I can. I need some tools from home.” He bent, retrieved his bag and left the den.

Pressed against the den wall, in the shadows of the garden, she stared at the entrance to the tunnels. With trembling fingers, she touched her lips.

Her first kiss.

Chapter Fifteen

The pile of dirty dishes in the Apisi kitchen stood almost as tall as Susan. Dim lighting from the fire tossed shadows over the mound, and it loomed, taunting her. Sorin had left to dig graves and she stood, bowl in hand, beholding the mess, and grimaced. With everyone either sick or helping, she understood why the pile-up.

What pissed her off was her inability to walk away. It was in her nature to desire order in any form.

“Shit.” She slammed the wooden bowl on the table and examined her surroundings. A hand-operated water pump by the wall was convenient. She found a huge bucket and filled it with cold water. Hot would have been better but she needed a freaking clean pot to heat it in first. Scouring the shelves and cupboards, she searched for something that looked like soap. What she wouldn’t do for a bottle of liquid Dawn. A little clay dish on a high shelf by the pot rack held a lump of hard, waxy stuff. It didn’t look like Ivory, but it smelled right.