One of them raised his bow, leveling his arrow at Jaeger. The farmer stopped him. “No. This one is mine. Detrick, you come with me. You others, go for the witch."
The words sent hatred and rage burning through Jaeger. He spun and raced away, determined to keep the men away from Vail. The boy was still crouched behind the rock, and Jaeger felt the tingle of magic surrounding him. He would trust Vail to protect himself until night fell. Their gazes met briefly, then Jaeger yowled to draw the hunters’ attention and tore across the rocky ground.
"There he goes!” Detrick shouted. “Come on!"
Jaeger raced through the sparse brush, dodging boulders and leaping over piles of loose rock. The two hunters followed, driving their horses with shouts and slaps. Even as he ran, Jaeger felt the daylight fading, shifting, the night calling to his Vector blood. He streaked onward, a dark shadow in the rapidly darkening evening. As he did so, he was aware that one of his pursuers was falling back, and he focused on the expectation that he would be cut off.
An arrow bit into the ground to his left, spattering up dirt and loose rock. Jaeger quickly turned away, hearing a hiss as another arrow flew over his back. He doubled back toward Vail. The young witch couldn't maintain the magic shields for long, and Jaeger needed to be close by when they finally failed and exposed Vail to the rest of the hunting party.
He was too late. Two men held Vail while the other two took turns pounding him with fists and heavy clubs. Vail was bleeding from numerous gashes and hung limply in the men's arms, too weak to fight back, even if he could.
Pure fury at the hunters’ cowardice tore through Jaeger. As the sun disappeared below the horizon, he felt his magic surge alongside his rage. Between one step and the next, he shapeshifted into his dragon form. It didn't take but one roar to make the hunters scatter in terror.
Vail fell to his knees.
The farmer suddenly appeared, obviously having doubled back. He kicked his horse forward, leaning low in the saddle. As he thundered past Vail, he lashed out with his dagger, burying it in the lad's back. Jaeger's roar of disbelief mixed with Vail's cry of agony. The Vector unleashed a stream of fire, blocking the fleeing men's path.
They swerved to avoid the conflagration, but in their confusion ran straight toward Jaeger. He bore down on them, his need for vengeance overriding any compassion or leniency. His sharp foreclaws tore into their flesh, exposing bone and muscle, shredding skin, mangling limbs. When all but one joined the growing heap of tangled meat, he turned his rage on that one—the man who had attacked Rhiannon, hunted him down, and attempted to kill Vail.
The man backed away, his face twisted with terror. He held up both hands as if to shield himself. Jaeger drew back his great head and unleashed a stream of flame that completely engulfed the man. The man screamed, batted at his burning clothes and hair and turned to run. Jaeger watched as he stumbled, then fell, consumed by fire. His shrieks died with him. Jaeger roared his approval.
"Jaeger, help ... please..."
Vail's thin voice broke through Jaeger's rage. He immediately returned to Vector form and rushed to the young man's side. Vail lay in a pool of blood, his face so swollen that his eyes were little more than dark slits in the bruised flesh. Blood saturated his clothes, wet the brown dirt beneath him, and matted his hair. Even so, he managed to lift one hand and grip Jaeger's arm.
"Rhiannon,” he whispered. “You find her. Help her."
"We'll find her together, Vail. You will not die.” He took up the pack, and then grimaced as he pulled the dagger free from Vail's back.
The young man let out a cry of agony and fainted. Quickly, without thought, Jaeger bit into his own flesh and once again allowed his blood to flow into Vail's wound. Satisfied it would heal, Jaeger returned to dragon form, plucked Vail's limp body from the ground and took to the air. He flew westward, toward the ocean, toward Rhiannon. He was exhausted, yet he was determined to put as much distance as he could between the village, and himself and Vail.
As he flew, he became ever more sickened by what he had just done. He had killed like that before, with the same overwhelming hatred and vengeance. The men in the alleyway were the first, these men the next. Would there be others? Somehow Jaeger thought there might be.
What would his dear mother say now? How could he ever reconcile his actions to her memory? How could he go on? Tears stung his eyes, burned into his cheeks, and were dried by the cool wind blowing against him.
He made a firm decision. He would find Rhiannon, and reunite her with her brother. Then, he would take them both to another land, far away, where they could live in peace, no longer persecuted for what they were. He would return to the Lair, let the Sovereign do whatever he desired. No punishment could hurt worse than living as the Vector he had become. Death seemed to be the only way out.
~*~
He found shelter just before dawn. It wasn't much, just an overhang on the side of a rocky hillside. Still, it provided some degree of protection from the searing sunlight. Despite his grievous wounds, Vail had regained consciousness. The Vector blood Jaeger had given him was healing his wounds slowly but steadily. Jaeger had thought to give him more, but had decided against it. He still wasn't sure what effect the amount of blood he had given the young man would do to him. Vail seemed quite surprised he was not dead and kept reaching to his back in search of the wound he thought should be there.
Jaeger watched him across the small fire, knowing he should explain. He was just not sure how to approach it. In the end, Vail saved him the trouble.
"What sort of magic did you use on me?” he asked softly. “How is it I can take such a beating and a stabbing, and yet survive?"
"Because I have given you some of my blood,” Jaeger replied bluntly. “The arrow you took in the village hit one of your main blood vessels. You were bleeding to death. Be angry with me if you will, but, at the time, it was the only thing I could think of to do that would keep you alive. I gave you more to heal the stab wound."
Vail stared at him, his blue eyes holding a myriad of emotions.
Jaeger glanced toward the mouth of the overhang. “If you wish to take vengeance on me, you will soon have your chance. At dawn, I will once again change into the mountain cat. I have no choice. It is my punishment for attacking one of the Chosen. I am most vulnerable while in animal form. You may kill me any number of ways. You can also kill me in Vector form, by drowning, burning, poisoning or by impaling me with an oaken stake."
"Why are you telling me this?” Vail murmured.
Jaeger rubbed wearily at his face. “I don't know. Maybe because I look forward to my own death these days. I don't know who I am anymore. I am not proud of the things I have done in the past few months, of what I have become. And I am sorry for pulling you onto this road with me."
Vail drew a deep breath, then shook his head. “There is no need to apologize, Jaeger. I am grateful for your help. I am alive. To me, that sounds a lot better than being dead."
Jaeger studied him for a long moment. It was such a simple statement, yet profound in its depth. He managed a small smile, then got up.
"I must shift,” he said quietly, wondering at his next words. “I would prefer it be done in private. I will be back in a moment. I suggest we spend the day resting. We've a long journey ahead of us."
Vail nodded, lay back, and closed his eyes. Jaeger watched him a moment longer, then stepped into the cool darkness of a nearby cleft in the rock to allow the shift.
Chapter Nineteen
They spent the next nine days walking during the night and resting during the day. In all of that time, Jaeger managed to satisfy his cravings by feasting on animals procured during his hunts. Vail benefited from those kills as well, since Jaeger would always make sure to bring some meat back to whatever form of shelter the two of them had managed to find. Still, Jaeger could see the fatigue on the young man's face, hear it in his voice. And he could smell the iron. It got stronger with each passing day. Vail needed to be bled, but neit
her one of them seemed able to face that.
Finally, on the tenth day, just after dusk, when Jaeger had once more reclaimed his Vector body, Vail turned to him.
"I can't go on,” he said softy. “Not like this. I don't know how to ask this of you, Jaeger, other than by being blunt. I need to be bled. If you do not wish to do it, I can attempt a simple bleeding on my own. It won't be as effective or last as long, but...” He shrugged.
Jaeger grimaced, turning away from him. “I can do as you ask,” he said. “I can promise you relief from your ailment. What I can't promise you is that we won't be affected. You now have Vector blood in your system as well. Apparently, not enough to cure your ailment, but enough that it might change our emotional reactions to a blood sharing. We may experience a sexual response as well. Are you going to be able to handle that?"
Vail was quiet, and Jaeger turned, expecting to see the young man's face screwed up in disgust. Instead, he saw tears glistening in the blue eyes. Tears that spilled over and ran in silver streaks down Vail's pale cheeks. In that moment, Jaeger saw Rhiannon, and his heart cried out for her.
They were close to the beach, so close. Jaeger knew that Vail would be devastated if he could not continue. He sighed and approached the young man slowly. With trembling hand, he reached up to brush aside the tears.
"I will help you, Vail,” he said quietly. “But first, let me satisfy my hunger on a wild animal. I just don't want to...” He stopped, not sure exactly what he wanted to say.
Vail nodded and sagged to the floor. “Do what you must. I'll be waiting for you.” He lay down on the dirt of the small cave they had found and curled into a fetal position.
Jaeger eyed him with concern. “Take care of the fire,” he finally said. “I'll bring back some dinner as well."
Vail made no response, and Jaeger quickly moved outside the cave. Once there, he shifted into a great horned owl. He wanted to waste no time with the hunt tonight. He needed something fast and easy. He had seen a proliferation of jackrabbits during his earlier hunts, and now sought them out. It didn't take him more than an hour to bring down two fat specimens. One he ate immediately, more to satisfy his need for blood than to relieve his hunger. The other he took back to the shelter.
He shifted to Vector form while still outside. He knew it was silly—Vail had already seen him shapechange several times—yet he felt that his privacy had been violated when he changed in front of the young man. He quickly cleaned the rabbit and stepped into the cave.
"Vail?” he called softly, approaching the fire.
The young man woke with a startled gasp. “Oh,” he murmured. “It's you. You're back."
"And I brought dinner.” Jaeger dropped down by the fire, skewered the rabbit carcass on a heavy stick and set it to roast. He turned his gaze on Vail.
The boy was pale, shivering; yet, his face was shiny with perspiration. Jaeger frowned, moving closer to him. The scent of iron was almost overwhelming, reminding Jaeger of the first time he had scented Rhiannon. As siblings, the two carried the same smell, the same mixture of iron and fragrance, though Vail's lacked the exotic sweet quality that Rhiannon's held. He drew a deep breath, barely conscious of his actions.
Vail let out a heavy sigh and leaned against Jaeger's shoulder, as if too fatigued to sit up on his own. Alarmed, Jaeger put one arm about the boy to support him. He could tell by Vail's trembling that he had already waited too long. He pulled the young man close in a tight embrace, closed his eyes, and bit.
The first taste was almost more than he could handle. It rushed into him, filled his senses, brought every nerve within him alive. His body responded so quickly it left his mind reeling, his skin tingling, his desires teetering on the threshold of ecstasy. When Vail unexpectedly grabbed his shirt in a desperate hold, it pushed him over that threshold.
They fell to the ground, Jaeger atop Vail, his incisors still embedded in the young man's neck. Vail moaned, writhing beneath him, his grip on Jaeger's arms erasing any hope of separation. Jaeger felt every inch of Vail's lean wiry body, heard his breathing as it came in short gasps, smelled the increase in iron as Vail's passion increased. Jaeger trembled, trying in vain to control his wild emotions, trying in vain to separate the bloodletting from the sexual response. Then the unexpected happened.
Vail used what little magic he possessed, enhanced by the Vector blood he now carried. The magic swirled around Jaeger, seized him, commanded him. His yearning for Vail spiraled out of control; his rationality clouded by the spell Vail created. He could not pull back, could not thwart it. When Vail abruptly cried out in orgasmic release, Jaeger joined him, riding the waves of ecstasy that swelled through his mind.
For a short time, the only sounds in the cave were the sizzling of the meat over the fire and the two men's soft gasps. Then Jaeger pulled away from Vail and sat up, guilt once more his companion. He heard Vail move though the young man said nothing. The silence pressed against Jaeger like a living thing, threatening to suffocate him. He surged to his feet and strode to the cave entrance.
"Wait!” Vail's call was soft yet insistent.
Jaeger stopped but did not turn around. He stood, his back stiff, his hands clenched at his sides. All he wanted to do was escape, to run from this humiliation, this guilt. He started violently when he felt Vail's hand on his shoulder. The touch burned him, and he whirled, backing away, shocked to see the small grin on the young man's face.
"I would still love to learn how you do that,” Vail said quietly.
The words, coupled with Jaeger's highly-strung emotions, were too much. A chuckle escaped him, a chuckle that turned to laughter. It echoed in the small cave, bouncing from wall to wall, floor to ceiling. It surrounded Jaeger, engulfed him, left him breathless and thanking the gods overhead for bringing both Rhiannon and her brother into his life.
He draped an arm about Vail's shoulders and walked him back to the fire. “You know, you appear to have quite a good grasp of the concept,” he told the young man. “That reaction wasn't all my doing. Sit down. Eat. It's probably burned by now."
Vail plucked the roasted hare from the fire and examined it. “No, it's fine. Have you eaten?"
Jaeger started, then again burst into laughter. Vail seemed surprised, then realized what he had asked. He, too, began to laugh, though he flushed with embarrassment. He pulled some meat from the spit and chewed it thoughtfully. After a moment, he spoke.
"So, do you think I know enough about this to use it on Rachael?"
Jaeger grinned and shook his head. “Most likely. But you may find that she will come to you of her own volition. And you may prefer that in the long run."
Vail thought on the words. “I suppose that would be better. Then I wouldn't have to always be thinking that she came to me only because of magic.” He took another few bites, then again looked at Jaeger. “Will we travel tonight? I feel quite well enough now. And I really want to find Rhiannon."
In truth, Jaeger was just as anxious, but he didn't want to push Vail to the point of such profound fatigue again. He wasn't sure if either of them could handle another such explosive encounter. “We'll walk for a while, maybe not all night. You need your rest."
Vail tossed him a sly, teasing glance. “So do you."
It was Jaeger's turn to blush. He rose, brushing the dust from his clothing. “Let's go. I think you're quite recovered. At the least, your tongue and wit are."
Vail grinned, finished off the meat, and followed. He scuffed out the fire and picked up the pack.
Jaeger took it from him. “Let me carry it. You've done your share."
"If you insist."
The two men left the cave together, both determined to find Rhiannon for different reasons.
~*~
It took the pair another two weeks to reach the ocean. During that time, Jaeger became more relaxed about accepting the gift of blood that Vail offered. In addition, Vail grew better able to control his emotional demands when Jaeger fed, which vastly relieved Jaeger's guil
t.
Their first view of the ocean came just before daybreak. A full moon rode low in a black sky, casting soft white light over land and sea. Jaeger stood atop a knoll, his eyes wide with wonder at the stunning scene before him.
The ocean stretched forever, a velvet coverlet spread beneath a diamond-studded canopy. A cool breeze drifted inland, bringing with it the scent of salt. It touched lightly at Jaeger's hair, wrapped seductively about his neck, kissed his cheeks with moisture. He couldn't understand why his parents had warned him away from it. It seemed safe enough.
He glanced sideways at Vail. “Well, do we continue? Or do you want to stop and rest?"
Vail drew a deep breath, his gaze also on the ocean. “I want to find my sister,” he said softly. “But..."
"But?"
Vail turned to him. “Who's with my sister?” he asked. “I know someone is, someone you don't care for. Yet, you have not spoken of this person. Why?"
Jaeger paused. “Let's find someplace for a fire and a meal. We can talk. First, I need to hunt. You're hungry, aren't you?"
"No, not really. I saved quite a bit of meat from that rabbit you brought down earlier today. Although,” he said with a grimace, “I am getting a little tired of rabbit."
Jaeger chuckled. “It's the most abundant game out here, and the easiest to catch. I don't want to go raiding some poor farmer's livestock. Now, I suppose, with all that water out there, we can add fish to our diet. I don't know what else the ocean provides."
"Lots,” Vail answered as they began walking. “Crabs, shrimp, clams, all sorts of fish, and seagrass."
"Really? All of that? Then you've been to the sea before?"
"Yes, further south. My clan lived on the beach for a summer. It was wonderful. We worked hard but it didn't seem like work at all. At night, we would light huge fires of driftwood, then sing and dance until all hours. In fact, that's where I first fell in love with Rachael. Watching her dance is like watching an angel in heaven."
Blood Bred Series Book 1: Gift Of Love Page 13