Coven's End: Kane (Coven's End Series Book 1)

by Lia Davis

Maybe if the leader of the vampires and the leader of the lycans joined, we could finally end the centuries-old feud. Wouldn't that be amazing?

  Kane was still asleep, even though I'd wiggled around and tried to wake him up unobtrusively. So much for vampire senses being the best ever. I slid out of bed and found my phone.

  No messages. Nothing but a few emails to a store I loved to buy clothes at. Phew. And, it was early. No way the guys would be up yet, and dad would already be gone. I still had some time before I needed to get back home.

  I poked around the apartment a little, checking out his fridge, which was surprisingly well stocked. I grabbed a bottle of water and looked around the studio apartment while I drank. My eyes kept going back to Kane. He hadn't moved. Maybe my pussy had killed him. I chuckled at my own humor.

  Next stop, bathroom. I cleaned up and snooped until I found a new toothbrush under the sink. I felt a million times better with clean teeth.

  When I emerged from the bathroom, Kane was sitting on the side of the bed. He looked at me, his long black hair a total mess. He'd put it up in a low ponytail right before we'd gone to sleep, but it had mostly come loose.

  Going to sleep with Kane had been interesting. I’d had no intentions of spending the night, but then after we'd fucked and cleaned up a little, we'd settled back on the bed, talking. I'd told him about my childhood, and he'd done the same. Things I never thought I'd reveal about my mom, my duties, they all came pouring out.

  He got me, and I totally understood him. His mom was as different from my dad as it was possible to be, but we still had the same pressures and responsibilities, even as opposite as our upbringings were.

  Eventually we'd both started falling asleep, and rolled toward each other, drifting off in each other's arms. I'd never done that, never had a boyfriend that I'd wanted to touch all the time. As I watched him wipe the sleep from his eyes and run his fingers through his hair, I wanted to walk over and help him comb through it, then put my hands on his shoulders and look down in to his violet eyes.

  What the hell was I going to do with this? I didn't know if I could walk away from him after our night together. He didn't feel like him, and I didn't feel like me. I felt like we.

  "What if we didn't hide?" I said, to my own surprise. Kane's head jerked up and his hands left his hair. "What if we made them accept us?"

  "Never gonna happen," he said flatly. "Vampires expressly forbid interbreeding. We aren't even allowed to mate with humans. To do so means ostracization. I'd be forced to give up my throne. Hell, it’s a long, rigorous process to get permission to even turn a human."

  "Lycans are the same way, but you're the prince of the vampires and I'm the princess of the lycans. What a better time will there ever be to end our war and bring peace to our people than now?" I walked to him, still sitting on the bed. He put his arms around my waist and looked up at me. "We have a common enemy, and we've never had that before. I think we might be able to convince them." I paused when a noise made my wolf senses blare to life, and I jerked away from him, on full alert.

  I wasn't wearing a single weapon, but I crouched into a defensive pose as if I had my knives all over me.

  His apartment door blew open, nearly coming off the hinges. The vampire's smell hit me milliseconds before she did. She attacked at full speed, going for my throat. I put my arm in her neck, pushing her back, and my wolf snarled, wishing she could erupt and eat the attacking vampire alive. Her fangs snapped, inches from my throat. The attack happened so fast I didn't have time to arm myself or come up with a strategy. Vampires were hard to beat one on one. They had brute strength we didn't have when in human form.

  It all happened in a fraction of a second before Kane lifted the female vamp off of me and threw her across the room, where she slammed into the wall, caving in the drywall several inches.

  "What the fuck, Kane?" she screamed at him. "I smell her all over this place."

  He'd taken up a defensive pose in front of me. "It's none of your goddamn business." His voice was low and deadly. “How did you even know where to find me?”

  She flinched at his words, as if they'd physically hurt her. "Why do you smell of each other?" she hissed at him.

  "We're working together to solve the murders of both of our species by the humans," he said.

  "She needs to solve crimes in one of your T-shirts and her black panties?" she asked, acid in her voice. She looked at me, and if looks could kill... "Were you whoring here all night?"

  "Enough, Trinity. She stayed the night, but there's nothing to be worried about." I'd heard the vampire royal line could put power in their voices, but I'd never seen it happen. Kane did it with her, though, and she nearly bowed. "You will leave this place and allow us to investigate these murders. We have a common enemy and must work together." The room thundered with his power. It didn't affect me the same way, but even I wanted to bow.

  Trinity was completely cowed. She dropped to one knee, head down. "As you wish," she choked out of a stiff mouth.

  I'd bet my entire collection of seventies vinyl that she'd not really wanted to say those words. His magic forced her to. Shit.

  She rose from her crouch and walked to the door like she had a rod stuck up her ass. I stuck my tongue out at her back as she left.

  Kane looked at me. "Are you okay?"

  I nodded. "Well," I said. "Shit."

  8

  Jillian

  "This was a fucking mistake," I said, frantically searching for my clothes. My boots were in front of the couch, I remembered kicking them off. I grabbed them, and my socks, then pulled my jeans out from under the bed. "This just won't work."

  "What are you doing?" Kane asked. "Don't leave."

  "This is going to end in nothing but pain and misery," I said, looking through the bed covers for my bra.

  Fuck it, I'd buy another one. I jerked my jeans on and swapped his shirt for my own. My boobs would be fine until I got home.

  "Stop, Jillian." Kane put his hand on my arm as I hopped on one foot, pulling my boots on.

  "No, Kane. I won't. Call me if you learn something about the case, and I'll come. With my sentries. Other than that, this didn't happen." I jerked his broken front door open and rushed down the stairs with one boot on, lamenting the fact that I was giving up the most amazing orgasms. He didn't follow me, thankfully. I strappped my boots at the bottom of the stairs, ignoring Kane's shout, and hightailed it to my bike. I didn't even stop to consider Trinity might be out there somewhere, waiting on me, but I made it unscathed.

  What the fuck had I gotten into?

  Kane

  "Motherfucker!" Trinity ruined everything. We were about to work out how we could be together in secret. We could've made it work, but not now. Jillian was totally freaked. Last night was amazing, and now it was ruined.

  Fucking Trinity. I knew damn well she'd be heading straight back to the coven to tell them what she'd seen. Now we had no time to figure it out. We couldn't get to know each other and maybe start converting members of the coven to our side. I would be forced to decide if I wanted to be a part of the coven, or Jillian's mate.

  As if after that night I had any choice.

  Jillian

  Fuck Trinity!

  And Fuck Kane, too. I'd like to claw her eyes out and punch him in the damn face. He's making me feel...things. Feelings. Fuck!

  I stepped from the shower and dried myself a little too vigorously. My skin was bright red by the time I finished.

  I'd been right, the house had been quiet when I'd arrived. My sentries were still asleep, and dad was already gone.

  My wolf howled inside me, and the pressure of her emotions was powerful. I needed the full moon. I wished I could shift and burn off some of my angry energy, but that's not how it worked.

  Yanking a comb through my hair, I imagined how I could've reacted differently at Kane's apartment, defending myself more fully, as I was totally capable of doing. I never should've been off my guard at his house. He was a virtual
stranger! I had no reason to be so comfortable there. It's not like he was some new person I was dating, he was my fucking mate!

  Damn it!

  I needed to release some pent-up energy. I threw my jeans back into the drawer and grabbed workout clothes. We had a fully equipped gym in the basement.

  Two hours, four miles on the treadmill, two miles on the bike, and an unknown amount of time punching a bean bag, and I was spent. My rage had cooled, and I had my head back. I showered again and headed down to get some breakfast.

  Quin stood at the stove, cooking bacon by the smell of it. “About time you got up,” he said with a smile.

  “Sorry, I was up but hit the gym,” I replied absently. He already had a plate of pancakes on the counter and a mound of bacon. “Thanks for making breakfast.” I piled a plate high.

  “No problem. We got a call in the night and had to go back to the scene.”

  My head whipped around. They’d left in the night? “What?” I sat down beside Voss at the kitchen table. Did they know I’d been gone all night?

  “We missed something,” Voss said around a mouthful of food. He was already digging in. He had a knack for talking with his mouth full without it being disgusting.

  Quin turned off the stove and joined us. “The enforcers went in to do cleanup and found a tissue.”

  “Where? How would we have missed that?” I stared at Quin, waiting for his reply. No way we wouldn’t have smelled it.

  “It was in the kids’ room,” Voss said quietly. “I looked it over, but it was hard even for me to focus in there. Mainly I covered them up so you could come do your thing. I should’ve looked harder.”

  “No, it’s okay. At least it was found. So why’d you have to go?” The pancakes had chocolate chips in them. I was in food heaven while being tortured, wondering what they knew about my rendezvous the night before.

  “We’ve got forensics running DNA at the local police station,” Quin said. “That’s not the best part though. The neighbor remembered something about the uniforms, which led us to being able to figure out who these guys are.”

  “The Red Night,” I mumbled around my bacon, then immediately wished I’d kept my fat mouth shut. Son of a fucking bitch!

  “How’d you know that?” Voss asked. “We only just found out right before we came back and started breakfast.”

  “Uh,” I stumbled over my words. “I did some searches on the Internet.”

  “From your room?” Quin asked doubtfully.

  “Yeah, so?” I said.

  “Your laptop is in the den,” he said, voice dry. “And we noticed your motorcycle was gone last night.” He stared at me, waiting for an explanation.

  Busted.

  “You’re not supposed to be alone, Jill,” Voss said gently. “I know it chafes at you, but it’s for your own safety.”

  I looked between them, Quin pissed and Voss playing the sympathetic friend. “I went to Kane’s and we did some research. It was no big deal.”

  “God damn it, Jillian,” Quin yelled. “What the fuck were you thinking?” He stood up so fast his chair went flying. “That’s exactly who we want to protect you from.”

  His breakfast was forgotten as he paced the kitchen. “He could’ve killed you. He’s their high prince, Jillian, or did you forget? He’s Lilith’s son. He’s one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet.”

  The only thing in danger last night was my libido. And my heart. I frowned and pushed the thoughts away and tried to focus on Quin. I’d known he’d be pissed. Time to pay the piper.

  I looked at Voss, who decidedly didn’t meet my eyes.

  “You’re not going to be alone with him again,” Quin said, breathing heavy. “I won’t allow it.”

  Oh. Fuck you, dude. “You won’t allow it?” I kept my voice low. That should’ve been his first clue.

  “You can’t be alone with the prince of all vampires,” he growled.

  “You think you can control my actions?” I asked.

  “Of course not,” he said. “But you’ve got to see sense. He’s not safe for you to be around.”

  “And you think you’ll just tell me to stop seeing him and I’ll stop?”

  “I think you respect my opinion enough to take me seriously.” He slammed his fists on his legs. “Dammit, Jillian, don’t make me tell your dad.”

  And we’re done.

  I stood and looked him square in the eyes. “Kane Webb is my fated mate. I couldn’t stay away from him if my life depended on it, and he couldn’t hurt me if his did.”

  The color drained from his face. “No,” he whispered.

  Voss finally joined the argument. “That’s not possible.”

  “I assure you it is. And it’s hard enough knowing he’s my mate and on top of that feeling the same pull to both of you.” Damn my mouth. Why’d I say that? I’ve been dancing around that issue for years, and now I brought it up? Great.

  Quin’s jaw dropped, and he and Voss stared at me like twin dumbbells.

  As I looked from one to the other, I decided not to deal with their macho bullshit. Grabbing my plate, I swiped a soda out of the fridge and walked into the living room. If they followed me, I’d turn the television up.

  They could deal with their own shock and emotions and leave me the hell alone.

  9

  Kane

  I dressed quickly, grabbing a cup of coffee I was afraid I was becoming addicted to, then headed back to the manor. My car’s windows were tinted enough to block out the sun, and I’d worn my long sleeves, gloves, and hat. I’d felt the sun on my neck as I’d hurried to my car, but it hadn’t been enough to bother me.

  The front door to the manor was opened for me, as it had been every time I’d entered or exited it since I was a small child. The house staff always knew when I left and returned. I didn’t take it for granted, though. The servants opening that door were my people. “Thanks,” I said with a smile, though I didn’t recognize the young female vampire.

  “Your mother is with Trinity and the council in the Great Room,” she whispered without looking at me. There was a hint of sympathy in her voice. She must’ve known what they were talking about. If I hadn’t had exceptional hearing, I might not have heard her warning.

  I nodded and strode through the main hall into Great Room. Our thrones sat on the dais on one side, but a large table had been brought in with comfortable black desk chairs for the meeting.

  All eyes turned to me as I took my seat opposite my mother. I ignored Trinity, who sat to her left. It wasn’t a good sign that she sat at the table. “I wasn’t informed of this meeting, either.”

  “Sit down, Kane,” my mother said. I bristled at her tone but did as she demanded.

  “We’ve got a common enemy with the Lycans,” I said. “I’ve been researching with their High Alpha’s daughter. Their pack was attacked the same night our coven was.”

  The council stared at me as if the news was totally uninteresting.

  “We really need to consider working with them. It’s the humans. This is serious.” My gut clenched.

  Nothing.

  I pushed forward. “I know it’s unconventional, but if they’re willing, we should be as well. We have to look to the future and to keeping our people safe.” I leaned forward, trying to get a response.

  My mother’s chief advisor, sitting to her right, took in a deep breath. “We won’t work with the lycans just to pave a way for you to mate with their princess,” he said in his dusty, dry voice.

  “Now hold on a minute,” I said, but I was interrupted by another of the ancient council members. This one sat right across from me.

  Her face masked her age. She was really old, probably a thousand years, but looked like she might be in her forties. “No. You hold on a minute. You cannot have a lycan mate. If you accept her publicly as your mate you will be forced to give up your rule.”

  I sat back in my chair, floored. Trinity had really pulled the rug out from under me. Maybe I shouldn’t ha
ve used my power on her so fully. How did they know she was my mate? “I can fight this.”

  “I’m afraid you can’t, son.” My mother looked at me with a mixed expression. She looked sympathetic, but also like she wanted to slap me. “The council has voted. If you accept your mating you will not lead the coven.”

  “I’m the born prince of the vampires. You can’t just force me out of my rightful position. What makes you think she’s my mate, anyway?” They could, probably. They’d find a way. But I’d posture for as long as I could. Hell, they were probably looking for a reason to give me the boot anyway.

  My mother smiled sadly. “You’d never consort with a lycan any other way. It must be a fated mating.”

  “Does that mean you choose the mongrel over your own people?” Trinity’s voice grated at me. How did I ever consider her my best friend and sister?

  “It’s none of your business, but Jillian and I don't know what to do,” I said, failing to mask the anger in my voice.

  “See?” Trinity turned back to my mom. “He already considers them a couple. He said ‘Jillian and I.’” She looked at me in triumph. “Lilith, I’ve trained to be the Queen since you took me in. You’ve trained me yourself. Who better to take the throne while Kane sows his wild oats?”

  Lilith didn’t respond.

  “Don’t listen to her,” I said. “She’s lost her mind. She’s not the same person she used to be.”

  “Lilith, when Kane comes to his senses, I’ll be here, holding down the fort, leading our people to prosperity. And when he comes crawling back to me, I’ll wash the smell of dog off of him and accept him with open arms.” Her lip curled at me, turned away from my mother’s sight. She was deranged.

  The rest of the council could see her, but they no doubt agreed with her.

  Lilith sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”

  No! “Don’t be ridiculous,” I snapped. “She’s not capable of this job. Her head isn’t in the right place.”