Kimber watched, fascinated.
Jimmy roared and swung first. Shain lunged back and blocked Jimmy’s swinging forearm with his left, then gave a powerful punch with his right. Unfazed, Jimmy tackled Shain to the ground and pummeled him with his bulging forearms. Shain used his wrists to slam Jimmy’s eardrums, temporarily disorienting the shief. Shain threw the shifter off him, getting to his feet and making a stance, his canines long, his wide, hulking shoulders tense.
On his haunches, Jimmy turned on the balls of his feet, whipping his head toward Shain. He looked furious, murder in his eyes.
Kimber gulped.
He came at Shain with an unnatural swiftness, the wolf in him giving him extra power, throwing fast punches and forcing Shain to go on the defense. When he headbutted Shain and kicked him to the ground, Kimber gasped, only to witness Shain’s clever sweep of Jimmy’s feet. The shief fell helplessly to the ground. He delivered a chop to the chest, knocking the wind out of his foe, who leaped on him with a frustrated roar.
Kimber wasn’t sure who would win, but could see the more Shain had to fight, the better he was at predicting Jimmy’s moves.
When Shain dealt a fast karate kick to the chest and sent Jimmy flying into a fellow shifter’s arms, Kimber exclaimed in joy. And when Jimmy didn’t get up, she almost wept in relief.
It was over. He’d won!
She started to run toward him, but once again, her friend prevented her.
“Stay back, Kimber.”
“Let me go to him!”
“It’s not over.”
“What are you talking about? He won. Jimmy can’t even stand up.”
Diana yanked her back with more force. “He doesn’t just have to fight Jimmy.”
“What?” Kimber tore her gaze from the scene to meet Diana’s eyes. “Who else does he have to fight?”
The look her friend gave her caused an explosion of dread as Diana replied, “All of them. That’s the deal they made him honor.”
Kimber’s eyes widened, a cold fear capturing her every nerve. “No! NO! Shain!”
She went wild, but Diana and Kit locked their arms around her, preventing Kimber from interfering. She kicked her legs, growling, her wolf coming through her sight to see another shief attack Shain, taking Jimmy’s place. Instinctual protectiveness roared in her blood. Fur spiking through her skin, Kimber determinedly calmed herself and leashed her wolf back, knowing that if she changed and caused a scene, she could put Shain in more danger than he was already in.
No man—no matter how valiant or skilled—could beat an entire pack of shifters. In wolf form they were virtually indestructible; in human form, just slightly less. Every immortal had supernatural strength, speed, and technique, but none were inexhaustible.
Kimber observed in eye-watering horror as Shain took blow after blow. His blood sprayed on the snow, his torso kicked, jaw punched. But he attacked with the same ferocity, dealing elbow shots, roundhouse kicks, flying knees, and even a few fiercely executed backhanded slaps to the face, humiliating the tough shiefs one after another.
Even so, he was growing tired. They all knew and saw it.
A few shifters exchanged glances. Clearly, they hadn’t expected him to last this long.
Hudson watched from the outskirts with nothing less than evil anticipation, pacing like a patient maniac. He’d yet to take his turn and she knew it was coming, regardless of the condition Shain would be in.
“Oh, god,” Kimber sobbed, unable to look away.
He was going to kill him.
Shain’s wounds had healed quickly at first, lending him the additional endurance and power to fight multiple men, but after being punched, slammed to the frozen earth, and hit over and over, without fresh blood to recuperate, his body was reaching a limit.
But it appeared Shain had not.
After another shifter fell face down, unconscious, on the ground, Shain set his feet in the snow, held up his hands, and yelled at them to come on, as though he could do it all night.
He was magnificent.
As the number of injured shiefs started to rise, and only a few untouched ones were left, Shain started to direct his attention for Hudson, pointing at him.
The next shifter, named Reggie, engaged Shain, who knocked him with a right-handed punch and kicked his solar plexus, sending him sliding across the dirty snow in pain. A younger, smaller shief raced for him, but Shain ended that confrontation quickly with a Superman punch, then threw him into a bush like a used tire.
The cut above his eye bled generously down the side of his face, his nose and bottom lip doing the same. Hair wild, shirt torn, he was a sight to be seen, and hadn’t glanced her way once. And she needed him to.
Look at me, she begged in her mind.
He let out a hard exhale, moving his gaze, the glow in his eyes softening when their eyes met.
Time slowed, then stopped, snowflakes drifting in slow motion. If there was a woman who loved a man more than Kimber loved Shain, then she was afraid for her, because a love like that would stop the earth from moving.
Hudson witnessed the moment and snarled.
Taking advantage of Shain’s misplaced focus, he charged at him, using his forearm to clothesline the back of Shain’s head.
Kimber screamed.
Shain dropped to his knees, blindsided. Hudson kicked Shain under the chin and he slapped to his back, dazed and weakened.
The shief slammed his foot on his chest, then spit on him. “It was always going to end like this, vampire.”
He grabbed him by the shirt, then pulled out a knife.
The few men who were still conscious protested, calling out that it had to be a fair fight.
“What are you doing, Hud?” one called.
“You know we don’t cheat,” said another.
Hudson ignored them. “Look at her,” he commanded, going around to Shain’s back. He jerked Shain’s head upright by his hair, holding the blade to his cheek. “She was never yours. She’s mine. I’ll claim that ass by morning.”
Kimber shook violently, reining in her wolf, holding back a cry of outrage.
Diana and Kit slowly released their grips on her arms. They understood.
Kimber closed her eyes.
Do not give up. You’re my one and true mate. Seek your strength from me and use it. You’re better than him.
Shain opened his eyes, a silvery shimmer crossing them. Yes. I am.
He grabbed Hudson’s wrist, pulling the blade away, twisting the arm. Hudson growled, trying to bring the knife to Shain’s throat, but unsuccessful.
Shain planted a foot on the ground and swiftly stood, facing Hudson, keeping the shifter’s wrist in his unyielding grip. Hudson roared at the power Shain exuded. He tried to yank free but was unable. With a snarl, Shain shoved the knife into Hudson between his ribs.
Hudson cried out, stunned, looking down, his grip slacking.
The others didn’t seem to know what to do, their shouts dying, the surprising turn of events reeking the air. Shain pulled the blade from Hudson, who sank to the ground with a hand over his bleeding wound.
With the same treatment Hudson had given him, Shain pushed his shoulder with his boot and Hudson flung to his back.
He pressed a foot on the man’s neck. “The only thing you’re claiming is defeat.”
Hudson heaved, gritting his teeth. “So be it.”
Shain raised his gaze at the men around him. “Anyone else?”
They shook their heads, some looking away, shouldering part of the shame for Hudson having tried to cheat. When a few looked at her, and gave single nods, she knew it was their way of saying he had their respect, and that they’d be left alone.
Shain tossed the blade and strode toward her.
Bloody, bruised, but breathlessly victorious.
With a broken sigh, she met him halfway, tenderly grasping his face. “It’s over.”
He huffed a smile. “Like hell it is. I almost just died for you.”
/> She caught his meaning, shaking her head. “Very funny.”
With his arm around her shoulders, they walked back to the car while the shifters dragged Hudson into the woods.
Kit hung back while Diana hesitated to approach Shain. “Hi. I’m—”
“The one who started all this. To whom I’m eternally grateful.” He gave her a soft smile. “I’d hug you, but they might make me fight again for it.”
Kimber stepped toward her friend. “Then I will for the both of us.”
Diana squeezed her tight, then pulled back, looking at them. “Honestly, it was a struggle to imagine. You two together. But seeing it in person, how you look at each other, I get it. Makes me wonder if what I have would be worth dying for, too.”
“Eli loves you very much, Diana.”
Her friend gave a small smile and nodded. “I know.” She started walking backward. “I should go. I hate goodbyes. Call me once in a while?”
“Of course.” She waved, a hot squeeze on her throat.
Diana and Kit left.
Kimber helped Shain into the passenger seat and went to the driver’s side and shut the door. “We’ll stop at the nearest motel. I don’t want you to have to wait until we get home to recover. I should just throw you in the closest body of ice water for making us go through that, but everything around here is frozen, so count your blessings—”
“Kimber.”
She refused to meet his gaze, some anger lingering at his deception.
He slowly wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to him.
She rested her head on his shoulder, giving it, letting the anger go, and gingerly wrapped her arms around his waist.
They sat like that for a while, staring at the moon, trees, and snow falling, enjoying the stillness. The peace. The relief. It didn’t matter if it was short-lived or if it wasn’t the last fight, if there was more strife awaiting them. As long as they were together, they could overcome it all.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked, voice hoarse.
“Our love?”
“Yes. Our love.” He kissed her temple.
She snuggled in closer, closing her eyes, determined to stay in that moment as long as possible. “It is to me.”
Epilogue
An immortal forsaken.
Once a vampire had been damned with such a label, doors were closed, resources denied, and every privilege granted—regardless of status or alliances—was forfeited indefinitely. It was a sobriquet meant to isolate, separate, and deprecate one from the life they’d known. A warning to others of the ultimate consequence of going against the Entyre Law. Despite what most immortal outsiders thought, it wasn’t bestowed arbitrarily. To have effect, it was reserved only for the truly wicked.
Could a vampire ever restore his or her name? Was it possible to bounce back?
Of course it was. With time. Hard work. Reparations. And showcasing an absurd amount of humility.
Shain had zero intention of doing any of those things. He knew no one from his former life would ever embrace him as they had before, as long as he was with Kimber. Which meant potentially hundreds of years of forsaken standing. The old Shain could’ve given her a life equal to a queen. The things they could’ve done, the gifts he could’ve spoiled her with…
Alas, those luxuries would have to wait.
As Shain leaned on front doorway and watched her wolf run with domestic wolves through the woods, he slowly smiled.
No. Had she been of his kind, had he not suffered for love or been forced to choose, their bond would not be what it was. If he had to say so himself, their relationship was extraordinary, and he rather felt…distinctive because of it.
Who wanted to be the average, everyday run-of-the-mill vampire? He’d take segregated, out of the norm, passionately in love with a shiya for eternity any day.
It’d been two weeks since his showdown with the shifters.
Hudson had survived.
Shain hadn’t wounded him fatally on purpose, though he had very much wanted to drive that blade all the way through the shief’s heart. But killing him, however justified, would’ve been in poor taste, and Shain thought it would serve better for Hudson to be shamed and possibly exiled by his shifter brothers than to be dead and martyred.
Also, Shain hadn’t wanted to give the pack a reason to reactivate their animosity.
They’d let him and Kimber go, as was agreed, and he hoped they’d never have to think about them again.
After a day and night in an ice bath and a generous taking of Kimber’s blood, he was healed, and, in a way, reborn.
He didn’t have much money, influence, status or even purpose, but he had his soul mate, his immortality, his home, and that was more than many could claim.
When Kimber started sprinting toward the cabin, he reached for a robe and held it open as she transformed back into her beautiful body.
She walked up the steps, grinning, tipping her head back at the snowflakes starting to fall. “That was awesome.”
“I thought your kind didn’t socialize with mortal wolves. Aren’t they usually intimidated by your size and…supernatural scent?”
“Usually.” She slipped her arms in the robe and went inside with him. “But I have few things going for me. I’m single. Female. My scent is non-threatening. I haven’t trespassed on their territory. And, they sought me out.”
“Wait just one minute.” He closed the door, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. “You are not single. I think I’ve taken you many times over to prove it.”
She laughed. “Put me down.”
He calmly walked up the stairs. “I think I’m going to have to take you right now to prove you’re taken.”
“If you must. Listen! I found the perfect Christmas tree. It’s about a hundred yards south. I peed all around it to remember.”
It was Shain’s turn to laugh. He playfully smacked her butt. “That’s my girl.”
“You’ll chop it down for me?”
“I’ll do anything for you.” In the bedroom, he squatted to set her on her feet.
With a smile that only true happiness could make, Kimber linked her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips. “What can I do for you for Christmas?”
“I have all I’ve ever wanted. I don’t want to offend the gods by asking for more.”
“Oh, the gods, the gods. Do you really have to give them credit for everything good that happens to us?”
“According to the Entyre Law, yes.”
“Well, according to Kimber Law, you can ask for anything, and I think you should really give me a hard one.”
He chuckled and eased a hand over her butt. “I’ll give you a hard one—”
“Shain Trevyn. Take this seriously. Give me a challenge. Another sun talisman?”
“No,” he exclaimed. “Don’t.”
She brushed her nose on his, whispering, “Then what?”
He’d been thinking about it for a while. What he wanted. Now that they had the peace they’d been dreaming of for years, it felt like a door had closed, but a calling had begun. He ignored it at first, thinking he should be content. And he was.
Right?
“I…” Don’t know how to say it.
“You think we should support Marex and his buddies in uniting shifters and vampires?” she filled in, lightly running her fingers over his neck.
“Can you read my thoughts?”
“No. But I know you. You’re restless. You’re too used to agonizing about something. Now that we don’t have to fret about my pack, you need something else.”
He groaned at how right she sounded. “No, I don’t.”
“Baby, so do I!” She grasped his face. “Look. We won our own private, heart-wrenching war. To me, that is as big as it gets. We’re free, but we’re not that free. There is another public war that’s happening around us, and we can’t pretend it’s not. We need to decide.” She slipped from him to stand before the window, hugging her middle
. For a while, she looked out at the night before glancing over her shoulder. “Together. If we want to fight, or wait for others to do the fighting for us.”
He sighed, coming up behind her to pull her close. “Marex wants us to stand with him. I’m torn, Kimber. I don’t want to put us at risk when we’ve finally found our home.” He kissed her shoulder. “And yet…”
Her hands slid over his, linking their fingers. “And yet.” She moved them to her lower stomach. “We can’t have a family. We can’t join a covenant or a pack. We can’t play together in the sun. We can’t live wherever we want or do whatever we please. There are so many can’t-dos, Shain. But what we can do is give the underworld the most incredible, unfathomable love story between enemies from birth.”
By the gods, what would committing really get them into?
“I don’t know, Kimber. Who would we be doing this for? Us? Them? Other shifter-vampire couples in the closet?”
“Us. Them. Every vampire longing for a shiya he can’t touch. Every shief aching for a vampiress he’ll never claim.” She sighed. “We can’t be the only ones, can we?”
“And if we are?”
He saw her smile in the glass. “Then we’ll know your gods were just messing around after all. Wanted to see what would happen and enjoy the show.”
He turned her around. “I think you have it wrong. If we’re the only couple of our kind, then the gods know exactly what they’re doing.”
“Oh? What’s that?” She started to grin.
“Stopping when they got it right.”
The Immortal Forsaken Series
The Centurias Newsletter
* A CENTURY IN THE MAKING *
Greetings & Salutations from Frostwythe Tower!
The Centurias is nearly upon us and may I just say…is everybody in?
The show is about to begin…
I don’t know whether to be frozen with apprehension, rabid with excitement, or giggly with thrills. By now, all key holders should have received the packet of pertinent information by now. If you haven’t, contact the UCC Committee immediately, as there are a few new rules you will need to be very aware of.
Shain: Immortal Forsaken Series #6 (Paranormal Romance Novella) Page 14