by HK Savage
“You’re the one here hunting, Ryan, not me.” Michael lifted the corner of his mouth in a half smile. “I’m just here for the music and to make bets with Becca on whether or not you’ll be coming home with us tonight.”
Obviously with their base of operations being what it was, bringing a strange woman home wasn’t an option. The image of some poor woman bumping into the admiral at night while trying to find the bathroom made Becca laugh out loud.
Ryan, thinking she was laughing at his abilities, puffed up his chest and the dark designs on his shirt flashed in the light. “You think there’s a chance I’ll strike out?”
Michael shrugged and tipped his head, baiting him.
Disgusted, Ryan shook his head and stood. “You’re a shitty wing man.”
“If he’s off somewhere being your wing man, does that mean I get to go out there and dance?” Becca sat up, feigning excitement.
“Not without me,” Michael growled, slowly letting his eyes trail down to her tall black boots and back up over the tight black jeans and matching off the shoulder top. Only one pink strap of her cami showed against her skin, pale in the flashing blue lights.
She shuddered and felt herself sway toward him. Mentally, she knew she needed to be distancing herself from him, he couldn’t know her plan. Their relationship, the intimacy of blood binding made her vulnerable to his influences as a man moreso than as a vampire.
Vulnerable. That one word was a cold shower, instantly killing any lusty feelings for the night.
Sensing her mood shift, Michael dropped his arm from the back of the seat to wrap around her waist and pull her to him. She forced a smile.
The server arrived with a drink-laden tray and Ryan took his.
“I’m out.” He headed to the bar to hunt.
Smiling a little too serenely, their server set the other drinks on the low table and hovered. When their server continued to make cow eyes at her date, Becca paired a sigh with an eye roll.
“Could you tell her to go? Please?”
He waved his hand and thanked her, sending the entranced girl on to the next customer. Leaning over to be heard through the thumping bass as the track slid seamlessly into the next, Michael’s lips brushed her ear. “You won’t come to harm. Iwill keep you safe no matter what I have to do.”
Becca blinked at him, feeling her heart freeze. “You can’t guarantee that. My safety is up to me.”
The dancing pale blue light cast shadows over his face, hiding his reaction from her view.
***
Michael knew she was planning something, her quiet in the car and wall she struggled to erect between them sent a far too clear message. He forced his mind to slide over it, not letting his thoughts dwell on that for long enough to draw the attention of the admiral. If he knew…
The vampire hissed, not as easy to control.
He raised a brow, trying to remember what it was she’d said, what he was supposed to say. She was holding her breath, obviously it was important. They couldn’t talk about the one thing he wished he would.
“Would you like to dance?” This wasn’t how he pictured it when he thought about dancing with her. In a club with their very future, her life, hanging in the balance. One useless arm acted as a blatant reminder his inability to go against the admiral. Not the way either of them wanted this, their last evening together. Instantly he shut that thought down, considered walking out the door right then. Black wouldn’t care if he was physically removed for the evening. He should walk away, give her the room she needed to make her choice.
Only, he wanted to be touching her. The man and the vampire agreed he needed to hold her tight, even if it was for a moment, before it all changed.
She blinked at him before her eyes flicked to his injured side and back. When she spoke her tone was flat. “You can’t hold me.”
He got the impression she was talking about more than his abilities on the dance floor. “Do I need to?” Over the thumping of the house music and boisterous laughter nearby he heard her breathing hitch. That was when he knew for certain she’d made up her mind. The loss stung, brought with it physical pain in his gut before he manually shoved it away.
The vampire within screamed.
Michael tried to shut it up to no avail. The creature felt its grip on her slipping and its fury was undeniable.
Black knew.
Michael was left with no choice. “You have to go.”
“What?” She leaned back, clearly shocked.
Invisible bands inside his head tightened bringing immeasurable pain. Michael stopped breathing, holding his body tight against the crushing weight settling in. Uncertain which would hurt worse, her loss or the admiral’s punishment, Michael wanted nothing more than to find something silver and end his miserable servitude. “You want me to guarantee your safety?” He squeezed the words out around a rapidly constricting chest. “Then you have to get out of here, Becca. The farther you are from me and all of us, the safer you are.”
Even in the wild light show, Becca looked white. Her eyes were wide. “What about you? What’s he going to do to you?” Certainly she could see his distress, there was no way for him to hide it. His head felt like it was going to explode.
He clenched his teeth. “I’ll be fine.” The echo of a distant growl sounded in his ears; Black was trying to reach him and shut him down. Michael had never pushed this hard against the admiral’s orders. Black explicitly ordered him to use whatever means necessary to keep Becca with them, even should she learn of Kenneth’s return. Becca’s deterioration was no secret to Black. As much as Michael tried to block it from the admiral, his hooks were in too deep. He read Michael’s concerns for her and made his move. The unpredictable mental state of the youngest vampire was no longer a detractor when compared to the fragility of a human, witch or not. Black needed a clairvoyant and he didn’t care which one, functionality was the only thing that mattered. Tactically it was the wise move. For Michael, it was too much. He knew it was a matter of time before Kenneth won and Michael would have to put Becca down.
“Michael,” Becca’s hand touched his cheek and he felt her trembling. “Michael, you’re bleeding.”
Glancing down, he looked for some sort of hole, maybe the bone had gone through the flesh of his broken limb. He hadn’t felt it, but then again the agony the admiral was subjecting him to would have distracted him from nearly any physical injury. He saw nothing amiss on his body and brought his eyes back to hers.
She was shaking her head, eyes glistening. “No, you’re bleeding.” Her other hand came up and wiped below his nose, coming away dark. “It’s him,” she whispered hoarsely. “He’s doing this to you. He’s doing this because of me.”
Her resolve was melting; he watched it in horror.
The vampire within hissed in satisfaction.
“No!” He roared. “If you don’t leave, I’ll take you away myself.” He heard the crack inside his head as his skull fractured. A warm, wet gush filled his ears and pushed the dripping liquid from his nose to a steady stream.
“You can’t, Michael,” Becca cried, tears falling steadily down her cheeks. “He’s killing you. He’ll never let you go against him.”
“He can’t have you!” His chest felt as though it was going to collapse. A vague recollection from his childhood came to him, of being a young boy learning to swim, going under and being unable to breathe. He’d forgotten; his human memories, long pushed away, had not come to him in years. A sad smile twisted his lips. The old ache from severed family ties tweaked his crushed chest. Aside from Becca and his service, there was nothing left for him here. There would always be someone else to carry on under Black. But only one Becca. Saving her from Admiral Black’s clutches nearly balanced the scales, it almost made up for all the wrong he’d done; the destruction he’d wrought both as a human and monster.
Seeing she wasn’t moving, Michael reached for her hand and started to stand.
“What are you doing?” She tugged back but he wouldn’t le
t her go. She reluctantly came to her feet, catching her balance with a hand against his chest.
“We’re leaving.” He turned his head, scanning the club for Ryan. If anyone could stop him, it was the wolf. He had to move fast before Black called him. His vision blurred. No matter. He didn’t have to worry about healing from a concussion if he was dead.
Lead filled his limbs and the crushing pressure nearly crippled him. Michael worried he wouldn’t be able to drive. Could he get her in a cab before it was too late? Clamped onto her arm he rushed from the club, dragging her with him. Peripherally he registered her objections. A few well-intentioned humans misread the drama and attempted to intervene. He held up a hand, casting them aside as he cut through them. They cleared the doors and the sudden absence of noise hurt his ears.
“Mike.”
Michael pushed on, knowing if he stopped he would never get her clear.
“Mike.” He was closer.
“Michael, please,” Becca pleaded and tried, to no avail, to plant her feet against him.
They reached the car and he fumbled in his pocket for the keys. Clumsy fingers dropped them on pavement and a wave of dizziness washed over him. “Godamnit, no,” he hissed through clenched teeth. Anger sent his fangs out and the vampire was more than willing to come forth as he fought to keep his human love safe. Safe from a life beyond her control. From the death that threatened should she fail in Black’s impossible task. The vampire was not on his side. It didn’t care about tomorrow or Becca’s safety, only its own selfish demands right here. Right now.
“Becca, step aside.”
Michael felt overwarm hands pry his weakening one open and Becca slipped free.
“Mike, Black called.” Ryan’s concerned voice was just behind him. “He said you’re thinking of going AWOL.”
“Go back inside,” Michael spat, bloody spittle hitting the side of the car.
“What the fuck?” Ryan put his hand on Michael’s shoulder.
“Stop him, Ryan.” Becca was sobbing. “It’s killing him.”
Vampire and human finally joined forces, united in their need to keep the all-consuming, cursed bond secret, and Michael whirled on them both. Ryan’s hand dropped immediately. “Go back inside, Hallbeck. Becca, get in the car.”
“Jesus, Mike, what the fuck’s going on. Talk to me.”
Becca reached for him and Ryan got between them. “Steer clear of him when he’s like this, Becca. He’s not thinking straight.”
Seeing the wolf touching his woman, getting between him and what he wanted, Michael snarled. “Get the hell out of here, Hallbeck. That’s an order.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed and he straightened but didn’t loosen his hold on the struggling human. “Not until you tell me what’s going on and why Black thinks you’re deserting.” His eyes searched Michael’s face. “Though I gotta say it’s sure not helping what I’m seeing right now.”
Michael smelled the fear rolling off them both. Ryan knew what he was capable of when the vampire took over and Becca knew what Black could do to him no matter the distance. Their concerns for him were lost as the weakness of the human inside failed and the vampire surged forth.
“Please,” Becca called softly from Ryan’s side where he’d tucked her tight. His arm had hers pinned to her sides. Her hands twitched, wanting to touch him. “We can get through anything as long as we’re together, Michael. Even Kenneth.”
Ryan’s eyes widened as realization dawned. “You’re running withher? Shit, Mike, that’s crazy. Black’ll never let you both out. You know that.”
“Give her to me,” Michael demanded. His tongue felt heavy. “Becca, we’re leaving.” The bands pulled again and Michael went down to his knees, clutching at his head. Wetness from his ears slid through his fingers. The ghostly growl became a roar as the admiral gave voice to his displeasure. “You can’t have her,” he hissed back.
“I’m not taking her anywhere, Mike,” Ryan responded gently, attempting to calm him. “But neither are you. Come on, we’ll figure this out together.” There was a scuffle, then, “Becca, no. Don’t touch him.”
Ignoring the warning, Becca pulled away and dropped beside him on the pavement. Having no regard for her own safety, she threw her arms around Michael. “Please, Michael, please don’t do this. I can’t lose you. I can’t watch him kill you, I can’t.” Hot tears touched his cheek as she pressed her face to his.
Mine, mine, mine.The vampire chanted, gnashing its teeth.
Michael growled his frustration and released his head to grab Becca, his arms wrapping around her torso. Holding her as consciousness faded, he garbled around the blood coating his tongue. “Get. Out.”
“I’m not leaving you, Michael. I can’t, I thought I could do it but I just can’t.” Becca hiccoughed, adding in a whisper, “I’m sorry.”
The ghostly growl filled his mind.
“Fuck you,Sir.”
Becca inhaled sharply.
Michael felt the pressure inside explode and his world went black.
Chapter 9
“Do you want to tell me what that was back there?”
Becca met Ryan’s green eyes in the rearview mirror and shrugged. “I don’t know that I can. You should really ask Michael.” Her hands cradled Michael’s face where it rested on her lap. Considering there was no warmth to his flesh, none of the human signs of life, she was left to wonder if he would wake or if Black had done irreparable harm. She stroked one pale cheek and he stirred, barely. She needed something to do, a distraction. “Do we have any wet wipes in the glove box?”
He gave her a look she chose to ignore, staring instead at the city lights as they streaked past. “You can fix your makeup when we get back.”
“It’s for the blood.” Her fingers pushed back a lock of his black hair. If it weren’t for all the blood he might look peaceful.
Something changed in the car and Ryan voice, when he spoke again, was softer. “I think there’s a drug store up ahead. I’ll see what they’ve got.”
“Thanks, Ryan,” Becca answered quietly.
They pulled into the CVS parking lot a minute later.
“Need anything?”
“Just something to clean him up. Thanks.”
“Sure, Bec.” Ryan left the car running.
Foo Fighters was playing on the radio, too quiet to make out the words but she could guess them, she knew the tune. She figured out not only that song but the next, and the next, making a game of it, before Ryan came back. The plastic bag crinkled, the items within rattling as they settled on the leather passenger seat. Ryan got in and dug through it, handing back a few packages of wipes. “Here, take the bag for the dirty ones.” He fished out a plastic drink and handed it to her over the seat. “Water. You need it.” Another one crinkled as it went in his drink holder.
“Thank you.” Taking what he offered, she tore into the wipes without touching her water.
Becca cleaned Michael up using all of the packages of wipes, the last few sheets to clean her pink tinted fingers before she was done. Ryan cracked a window to help dissipate the strong baby powder smell, replacing it with fresh desert air. Los Angeles and its city scents were in their rearview mirrors. Resting a hand on Michael’s chest, Becca couldn’t find the comfort she sought.
“Kinda weird, isn’t it?” Ryan’s low voice reached her ears bringing her head up. “Them not having a heartbeat. It’s different.”
“Yeah.”
There was a long silence again before Becca felt like talking. When she did, it was quiet, knowing Ryan could hear her even over the sound of the wind rushing through the window. “Sometimes I miss the normal stuff; the heartbeat, the breathing, him being warm all the time. The sort of stuff you don’t realize you count on to tell if a guy’s mad or happy or whatever.” Her fingers splayed over his heart, waiting for the impossible. “If I could feel his heart, I’d know he was going to wake up.” Pain filled her voice and she met Ryan’s eyes in the mirror. “What if he doesn’t wake
up? Can vampires suffer brain damage?”
He laughed, a short bark. “He’s still got his head and nobody set him on fire; this is nothing.” Then, gently, he added, “He’s strong, Becca. Whatever happened won’t cause any permanent damage. It looks worse than it is, trust me.”
They exchanged another look in the rearview and Becca gave a tight lipped smile before falling back into her own thoughts. Neither spoke another word until they returned to the ill-fit manor house in the desert. Upon arrival Ryan grabbed Michael and swung him over his shoulder, carried him up, and lay him on his bed. Becca moved alongside him and worked at his shoes while Ryan leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.
“You’re good for him, Bec.”
Part of her wanted to break at hearing that, but she kept at her task, setting his shoes beside the bed one at a time.