Kraven

by Laurann Dohner

  Anger darkened his features. “You’re a menace!”

  “At least I’m sane!”

  “I’m telling you the truth.”

  Her gaze slowly examined him, from the top of his head down to his large feet. “So you’re half Vampire and half Werewolf?”

  “We prefer the term Lycan.”

  “I’m sorry. I’d hate to insult you.” She took a few deep breaths and her body tensed—right before she lunged.

  She barely made it a few yards before he spun her, grabbed her waist, and hauled her off her feet, and then she slammed against his body when he adjusted his hold so both arms secured her tight to his tall frame. Her feet dangled off the ground and she glared at his face inches from her own.

  “Put me down, you big ape!”

  “I’m a VampLycan.”

  “You’re a nutjob!”

  He snarled and the sound terrified her. He had to be one of those insane people who honestly believed his fantasy world, to learn how to make such frightening noises. She wondered if he practiced making them in front of a mirror but wasn’t about to ask.

  “Please put me down.” She didn’t struggle, afraid he’d hurt her. He was strong enough to do it.

  “Don’t run.”

  “I won’t,” she lied, staring into his eyes.

  He eased his hold enough that she slid down his front, feeling every powerful inch of him. It figured he had to be as big as he was, stronger than most men. It scared her. What if he decided his Vampire side wanted to suck her blood? She shivered and stepped away as soon as he allowed it. She sat on a nearby rock.

  “I’m sure you have questions.” He crouched close enough to grab her if she tried to flee a second time.

  “Not really.” She hated the feel of dirt between her toes. She couldn’t exactly run around barefoot. “I take that back. Where are my shoes and purse?”

  He glared. “You still don’t believe me.”

  “Sure, I do,” she lied. “Truth is in the mind of the listener. You have yours and I have mine. I heard what you said. I’m the future snuggle-bunny of some old rock pile who howls at the full moon. Now, what about my things?”

  “Forget the goddamn shoes and your stupid purse. I left them at the camp, woman,” he rasped. “You’re pushing my limit on patience.”

  He’d already pushed hers way past that point. Though she guessed him calling her woman, rather than a bitch, was an improvement.

  They studied each other, saying nothing. He straightened. She watched him pace the clearing. She glanced around the woods, looking for any sign of her sister, every time he turned his back to her. She’d wait until his lunatic brother showed up with Dusti before they escaped. They’d somehow have to find the crash site on their own, while ditching the crazy brother duo.

  He began building a fire pit with rocks. She had to admire his survival skills, if not his mental stability. He seemed to know what he was doing. Kraven walked a short distance into the woods but quickly returned carrying broken branches. He whipped out a lighter from his pocket and started a fire.

  Meanwhile, Bat’s gaze kept searching the woods. Worry ate at her over Dusti’s safety.

  “You’re half human, but you’re also half VampLycan.” He’d paused near her but she hadn’t noticed until he spoke.

  Her gaze met his. “Okay.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “I heard you. I’m half VampLycan. I’m also an attorney who’s good at retaining information and I’m even decent with equations. That means I’m one-fourth Vampire and one-fourth Lycan.”

  “Yes.”

  “Odd. I’ve never wanted to suck someone’s blood or sprouted hair during a full moon. Sometimes I get bitchy.” She forced a smile. “Now I have an excuse.”

  “I’m really going to turn you over my knee.”

  “My future lover will beat you with his walker, or maybe flap his rock wings to knock you out if you do. Don’t Gargoyles have those?”

  “Damn it, you little hellcat.”

  “Actually, according to you, I’m not feline. Was my grandfather a panther or a lion?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s really going to get complicated if he was. Let me do the genetic arithmetic on that one.”

  He growled and his hands fisted. “I’m going to catch us something for dinner. You might be more willing to listen if you aren’t hungry. I can hear your stomach rumbling.”

  Bat was relieved when he left her alone. She stood, hating being barefoot, and tentatively looked around the clearing. There were no signs of his brother or her sister. Dense trees surrounded them and the only sounds she could detect were from nature. She hated the great outdoors.

  The urge to flee was strong but she had no idea which way to go or how to get back to the crash site. The fire he’d built was the only source of comfort, so she stood close to it, though her temper flared again, resenting that she felt helpless. She would have killed for a satellite phone and a burly security guard who had been a Boy Scout to help in her rescue.

  “Kraven is certifiable,” she muttered. “Now I have an excuse for why I don’t tan easily. It’s those pesky Vampire genes.” Bat snorted.

  She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. It could be a lot worse. She had to keep reminding herself of that. She wasn’t dead. It wasn’t wintertime. No snow on the ground was a plus. The plane would have been reported as lost sometime the previous night, when it didn’t arrive at the airport. She lifted her head and opened her eyes to look for any sign of helicopters or other planes. Nothing.

  “Shit.”

  That Biker Bear guy had seemed saner than Kraven, and wherever her sister was, she could only hope he was taking care of her. Hell, maybe Drantos realized his brother had kidnapped her and was currently looking for them both. She’d just have to endure and be brave.

  Growling and grabbiness aside, Kraven didn’t really seem dangerous. He had used his big ape body to take most of the lumps when the plane had crashed. She admitted she would have probably gotten more injured if he hadn’t. He might be insane, but he hadn’t hurt her. He clearly loved to make threats but hadn’t carried out any of them.

  Her stomach growled loudly, the pains from hunger getting bad. His were probably worse since he had lugged her through the woods.

  A light sound of movement drew her attention. Kraven walked out of the woods with something grotesque. She averted her gaze. “What is that?”

  “A rabbit. I skinned it already so you didn’t have to watch.”

  That was considerate at least. Images of cute little bunnies flashed through her mind but as long as the meat was cooked, she’d eat it. Some of the upscale restaurants she’d been to served far worse. He wasn’t offering her bugs or snails.

  “Can I do anything?” Besides making sure you see a shrink when we’re saved?

  “Just relax. It won’t take long to cook. We have a lot of ground to cover but not much sunlight left.”

  “We’re returning to the crash site?” It was the best news he could give her. Maybe he’d had time to rethink his irrational behavior and would return her to Dusti.

  “No. My clan will have heard about what happened and should be searching for us by now. We’ll head in the direction they’ll be coming from, to hopefully meet up with them before your grandfather sends some of his clan this way.”

  She groaned, not hiding it. “This again? Listen to me, Kraven.”

  She paused, waiting for him to meet her gaze. He did and she saw how his eyes narrowed, his expression angry.

  “There’s not some supernatural plot at play here. We were on a plane and it crashed. Maybe you hit your head a little harder than I did so you’re not thinking straight. Maybe some of the shit you saw in your line of work, if you’re really a cop, made you escape from reality into this fantasy world. I know you sometimes have to actually do drugs if you’re working narcotics. Some guys get addicted or it screws with their minds. I get it. I’m a defense attorney. I know just how inhuman some assho
les can be, capable of doing things most of mainstream society are better off not knowing about. They’d never have another night’s peaceful sleep.

  “Now, I’m sure my grandfather is a rotten bastard who probably earned his money by being a heartless prick. The rich often step on people to get to the top. Whatever your reasons for not liking him, I don’t blame you. He isn’t my favorite person either. But you need to return me to the crash site and to my sister. I won’t press charges. You saved me from being killed. I’m giving you credit for that.”

  He blinked. It was better than lunging at her to lift her off her feet again. The rock he used as a makeshift table had the knife sitting there. He wrapped his hand around the handle and her heart skipped a beat.

  He cut into the rabbit instead of trying to stab her.

  “Your mother was a VampLycan. You’re half one. It’s not your fault that you don’t know your heritage, if you weren’t told. I’ll give you credit for that. There are four clans of us, and one clan of GarLycans. We live in peace since Aveoth helps us keep it. Your grandfather wants to rule every clan; that’s why he’ll hand you over to Aveoth. You’re his one weakness because of the blood addiction.”

  She swallowed hard, biting back a sarcastic comment. He wasn’t going to be rational.

  “I’m almost tempted to hand you over to Aveoth myself at this point, to make my own little deal. He’d kill Decker if I asked him to, with you as leverage, but I’m just not that cruel. You wouldn’t survive a month with the GarLycan. You’d open your mouth one time too many and he’d kill you in a fit of rage. I doubt he’d be able to form any kind of attachment to you that would stir his protective instincts enough to overrule his temper.

  “Marvilella, your grandmother, was part of my clan once. She mated with Decker trying to keep peace between his clan and the others. Decker was unstable even back then. He killed her in the end. Your grandfather has no honor, Bat. He also has no love or compassion in his heart. He doesn’t have one. He’d force you into a hellish existence, as long as he got the support of the GarLycans to take out any opposition from the other three clans.”

  She sighed.

  “You don’t want to find out how honest I really am if Decker’s enforcers find us first. There would be a battle to the death.”

  “Right.”

  “You’re going to do as I say.” He shoved meat on a stick he’d sharpened with the knife, holding it over the flames to roast. “Sit down and allow me to feed you.”

  She sat. The rabbit smelled delicious and she was starving. He passed her the stick.

  “Careful. Blow. It’s hot.”

  “I just watched you cook it. I’m not an idiot.”

  He frowned, putting another piece into the flames. “I didn’t say you were. You don’t seem the type to eat outdoors much.”

  “Try never.” She blew on the meat and used her fingernails to protect the tips of her fingers while she tested a tiny bite. Her eyes closed as she savored the food. She finished it and opened her eyes, almost jumping when he offered her another piece by waving it right in her face.

  “Thank you.” She passed him the first stick back, accepting the next one.

  She blew on it and ate. They were big chunks. He cooked a few more, letting them cool a little on another rock. He looked at ease in nature, as if he hunted and cooked his meals on a daily basis over an open flame. It would be kind of sexy, if she didn’t know how unstable his sanity was.

  His muscular thighs and legs were displayed nicely from his crouched position. His pretty gaze flicked her way, and she again found it unfair that he had to have a major flaw.

  “More?”

  “No.” She passed back the stick. “I’m full for now. Thank you. Aren’t you going to have some? You haven’t eaten.”

  “VampLycan men take care of women first. You won’t find that trait much in the human world. I wouldn’t touch the food until I made sure you’d had enough to eat.”

  Interest sparked inside Bat and part of her softened. “You’ve romanticized your fantasy world. It’s kind of sweet, and a nice change. Most guys would make up more barbaric stuff that degraded women.” She smiled. “You aren’t so bad, are you? You just need meds.”

  His head snapped in her direction as he bit down on a piece of meat. He chewed, swallowed, and rose to his feet. “I’ve lost my appetite. I’m tired of your insults. Stay by the fire, Bat. I need some space.”

  As he stormed away, regret hit her when she glanced at the rest of the strips he’d left behind. She should have just kept her mouth shut.

  A low growl sounded close by and she knew it had come from Kraven. He hadn’t gone far. Her belly was full, but he had to still be hungry.

  “Damn it.”

  She rose to her feet, ready to apologize. The guy had fed her. Guilt had her walking carefully over dirt to find him.

  He may be delusional but he thinks it’s real. Believing he’s some creature with a hero complex is better than some of the nutjobs I’ve dealt with. He needs to eat. I’ll go play nice to bring him back.

  Kraven hands fisted at his sides and he fought the urge to howl out his rage. Bat’s insults weren’t far off the mark when she’d accused him of being nuts. She was driving him crazy. It was her fault.

  How in the hell could she have survived to her age without knowing she wasn’t fully human?

  Her traits must be almost nonexistent for her not to have learned what she truly was. It meant she was vulnerable and without defenses. The sight of claws growing from her fingertips every time she lost her temper would have clued her in. She obviously didn’t have the ability to shift. He’d pissed her off plenty and her eyes hadn’t even responded by changing color. Her body was human.

  He softly groaned. Not completely though. She smelled good to him, enough to tempt his lust. It was bad timing, considering he was giving women a good long rest after Violet had tried to kill him.

  Bat had no clue what kind of danger she was in. Her mother had been wrong to keep secrets. She’d probably figured she had more time to warn her daughters, and instead had died suddenly. At least he hoped Antina had planned to warn them.

  He pondered if Decker had been behind that so-called accident that killed her parents, but he’d never mention that to either sister. The pain in Bat’s eyes when she’d spoken of the loss had been too fresh. It didn’t sit well with him, the thought of emotionally hurting her that way.

  His hands itched to touch Bat. There was something about her that got to him, beyond her scent. It wasn’t just her way of pissing him off. She was strong-willed and ornery. It was oddly arousing.

  He sat on a wide rock and removed his jacket, tossing it over another. The cooler air felt good against his heated body. Lust rolled off him just thinking about Bat. Maybe he was losing his mind, or he’d gone far too long without a woman.

  He was also pissed at Drantos. The bastard was being too soft on the sisters. They’d already be at their village if his brother wasn’t worried that Dusti might be terrified by their shifted forms. They both could move a hell of a lot faster on four legs, rather than two. Walking through the woods, lugging someone over his shoulder, slowed them down a lot. Drantos had even insisted on stopping at nightfall so the women were well rested. None of that would matter if Decker’s enforcers found them and they had a fight on their hands.

  He was tempted to knock out Bat, tie her to his back, and shift. He could dump her off as soon as he reached home and someone else could babysit her. Then she’d be someone else’s headache and irritation. The downside was, that would leave Drantos alone out here.

  Kraven rejected the plan. His brother was bound and determined to ease Dusti into their world. It meant wasting a hell of a lot of time, in his opinion.

  Movement drew his attention and the hellion stepped into view. He bit back a low growl, the sway of her hips noticeable as she carefully walked on the ground as if the earth would bite her. It was kind of cute. Though he hated the way his body responded by
wanting to rush to her side and pick her up.

  “I said I need space.”

  She kept coming, not taking the hint.

  “Go back to the fire. We have to leave soon.”

  She ignored his order. It wasn’t a surprise.

  Chapter Five

  Bat stopped right in front of him. “You should eat. I’ll keep quiet.”

  His light blue eyes narrowed with irritation when they fixed on her. She clenched her jaw. He wasn’t the only one annoyed. He drove her nuts, but at least a little time to cool off would make her sane. Not Kraven. He needed a team of doctors with a pharmacy at their disposal to help him find his right mind.

  “What are you doing?” His voice came out deep.

  She hated the way her body responded instantly when his voice changed to that gruff, sexy tone. Her nipples hardened, making her intensely aware of them. He’s insane, not hot, she reminded her libido. It was probably just the stress.

  His gaze lowered to her feet. “You shouldn’t be walking out here barefoot.”

  “I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t ditched my shoes when you decided to kidnap me.”

  Anger flashed in his expression, his mouth tensing. “You’d still have them on your feet if you had decent ones that wouldn’t break your ankles.”

  His pleasing scent was noticeable, being so close to him, and a wave of warmth flooded her body for some reason. He looked tall even sitting down, face level with hers. She’d never liked really large men, they usually intimidated her, but she found his bigger size yet another turn-on. She took a deep breath to quell the anger that attraction also made her feel.

  “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. I’m just a little upset that I’ve been kidnapped after being the victim of a plane crash. It hasn’t exactly been the best twenty-four hours of my life. Please come back with me to eat some food. You’ve got to be as hungry as I was.”

  “No. I’ll find something else to eat. Return to the fire.” He slowly turned his head to look away from her.