They scurry away and I wonder if they heard me. Then I realize their master’s demeanor has completely changed and apparently they are a lot wiser than I am.
“I’m wasting your time?”
Lucky, lucky me. Another question. But I keep my mouth shut.
White-hot pain explodes behind my eyes. I clench my teeth and bear down so as not to expose my pain to Cross. I have no doubt he’ll take advantage of it. Keller's subtle mental push has turned into an all-out war. I start to sweat with the effort to keep him out of my thoughts. This is what I get for getting caught up in the moment. For getting lost in the meadow of sexual euphoria. One hell of a brain violation.
Cross cocks his head and I wonder if he senses Keller in his territory even though it’s just a mental connection from miles away. He crooks his finger at me. My body rises out of the chair before I realize I’m moving. I grit my teeth and regain control. He narrows his eyes. My feet move of their own accord. Things are about to get ugly up in here and I wonder if I should let Keller in. If I should let him help me. But isn’t that admitting I need help? That he’s been right all along. Thinking I can’t do this on my own? Screw it. I’m so not going down like this.
“Knock it off, Cross,” I order through clenched teeth.
His only response is the whisper of a brutal laugh.
I reach for my blades with both hands. The leather grips are just the incentive I need to break Cross’s hold. I plant my feet and assume the stance. Keller pushes harder. My head may very well explode. I swear, fighting two vamps—these particular vamps—was not on today’s agenda.
Cross tsks. “So now you plan to attack me in my own home? What a pity.” He closes the distance between us in zero seconds flat. His hand is around my throat and my feet aren’t touching the floor anymore. I kick and nail him in the shin. He doesn’t flinch. When I said ancient power, I literally meant ancient power.
With a quick one-two, I stab him with both knives, one between his ribs and one in the kidney. He barely moves and that’s just so he can squeeze my neck tighter. The pain in my head recedes and I feel Cross’s choke hold more than ever. Keller is giving up. I know I can reach him before he disappears. I don’t, and I wonder if I’ll live to regret it. Keller and Sage are right. I am stubborn.
“Shall we talk about this business first, Ms. Hawk? Or shall I just kill you now?”
Not sure how to answer that one. I manage to wheeze out one weak word before he crushes the light right out of me. “Keller.” If Keller’s still there, I don’t feel him. I send a mental apology anyway. I’ve been wrong. So very wrong.
Though I was right about one thing. This is a day of lasts. My last breath.
Chapter Five
Soft fingers graze my cheek. Keller. I struggle through the webs of unconsciousness until I can manage to open my eyes. My gaze flicks all around like I’m a panicked rabbit. Now I wish I would have stayed asleep. Keller’s familiar and comforting touch is gone, had probably never been there. Just a mind trick I played on myself.
A lone bulb offers the only source of light. It flickers constantly. Through the bars of my jail I make out other shadows. The huntress in me responds to their sickening negativity. My mind grows frantic as I search for an escape route that isn’t there. These aren’t friends. These are the lowest ranks of Cross’s security. They’re starving, on the cusp of death, and I am their only chance to keep mortality temporarily at bay.
Keys jangle and menacing growls echo off the cold walls of my prison. So much for showing the Assembly what I’m made of. How I ever thought proving my worth to them was the most important thing in my life is beyond me. What a fool I’ve been.
The shadows draw closer with slow and tortured steps. Even the smallest movements cause them pain. Their agonizing bellowing sounds hollow and eerie, echoing like a broken record. My heart sinks like an anchor at sea. I’ll never laugh with Sage again. I’ll never again get the opportunity to feel Keller’s embrace. At least Sage knows how I feel about her. I’ve never hidden my love from her. Keller, on the other hand, will never know that he is—scratch that—was the one. Funny how weak in the mind I get when death is at my doorstep.
Though I can’t see outside, the pull of the moon calls to me and dread churns noxiously in the pit of my stomach. Midnight is only minutes away. I pray those minutes will pass quickly. Once the bells toll twelve times, most of the lore will have to retreat again. My city will go back to normal—as normal as it’s ever been—and my one hope is that Keller will stick around and take care of my people.
“I can do that, Josie,” says an almost inaudible whisper.
I whip around and jump to my feet. He’s here. How, I don’t know, but he is. I move to rush into Keller’s arms. He stops me with a look and places his finger to his lips.
Hungry moans sound behind me. I turn. Five pair of red eyes stare back at me. Only me. They don’t know Keller’s there. Hello, advantage. I smile to myself and inch away from the bars until I feel Keller’s chest against my back. His strength is staggering, and for the first time, I’m one hundred percent happy he is with me. I need him. Not just to keep me alive today, but I need him in my life.
Keller squeezes my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. I think he already knows. Doesn’t matter. It’s important to me that he hears me speak the words, but I don’t know if I can get them past my lips.
More flickering from the blasted light. I wish it would burn out already and shroud us in darkness. One vamp inserts the key into the lock. He struggles to turn it. I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon enough.
Keller lifts my shirt up from behind. I stiffen against him. He can’t seriously be considering sex at a time like this? Cold metal slides against my skin and I realize he’s arming me. A whisper of a laugh caresses my cheek. I’d forgotten to keep my mental walls up. I don’t care right now. Where he’s concerned, the walls have a mind of their own.
Good to know.
Keller? I swear I just heard you in my head.
Yes.
Never before have I been able to hear him speak to me like this. Will it always be this way?
If we keep the blood connection strong, it will.
I nod. Why haven’t I heard you before?
You didn’t want to. Things are different now.
Very different. In the past I’ve known he can read my thoughts after his bite, but I never thought I’d be able to hear his. The new level of intimacy is staggering. The cell door swings open with a screech. I want to tell you something.
It’s okay. I already know. Keller backs up.
I follow, giving the perception of retreat. Thank goodness this is a big cell. I want to say it, Keller.
I know, love. I’m listening.
I slide my right hand around to my back and grip the blade handle. I take a deep breath. This is huge for me. I need you.
He strokes the back of my neck with his thumb and I shiver. I’m not leaving again, Josie. Never again.
Keller’s words touch me in a way no other words have, but I’m not sure if I can believe them. Or want to. If we were alone, I’d show him just how much I might want him to stick around. A distorted and hungry whimper reminds me there’s a chance we might not live long enough to celebrate the potential shift in our relationship. The vamps are sluggish but dangerous. There’s so much more to discuss with Keller but time has run out.
For now.
I’m taking a big risk, but there’s something I need to do. To seal the deal, so to speak. I give the vamps my back and kiss Keller soundly. Before I grow too intoxicated from the flavor of his lips, I pull back and shake my head to sober up. “Let’s do this.” I don’t bother whispering.
“Now,” he says just before he slams his blade into the closest vamp. I take the next one, kicking him in the gut. He doubles over. They are starved and have little energy. It almost seems too easy. I bring my knee up and connect with his head. The vamp falls over backward with a grunt. Straddling him, I plunge my b
lade through his heart. He immediately turns to ash.
“Behind you,” Keller calls.
Adrenaline rips through my blood. I jump to my feet and swivel on my heel to face the starving vampire. Eyes so black they seem like nothing more than bottomless pits bore into me, sizing me up like I’m the prime rib at an all-you-can-eat buffet. He smiles and drool drips from his fangs.
I shudder. “Gross.”
Another vamp drops behind me and I wait to hear the sizzle that sounds right before he disintegrates. I’m not disappointed. Keller is lethal.
My vamp lunges. I barely dodge his grasp. This one is stronger and faster than the others. I run behind him and jam my knife in his ribs. I shove him forward. Instead of falling, he swings around and grabs my elbow. With a grunt, I try to yank my arm out of his bony clutches. His grip tightens and he drags me to him like he’s reeling in the catch of the day.
So much for easy.
His sharp nails dig into my skin as he whips me around and pulls me close. He stinks. Bad. The pungent odor of rotting vamp makes me want to hurl. I hear his excited gasp and realize my arm is bleeding. I kick hard, ramming him in the knee with the heel of my boot. The scent of my blood has made him crazy strong and my kicking has no effect. He sniffs my neck like I’m a dog in heat and he’s the would-be mate. I kick again.
I see Keller out of the corner of my eye, but don’t dare call out. He’s got his hands full in an all-out scrapping match.
I throw a hard elbow and am rewarded with the sound of cracking ribs. My vamp howls in pain, but maintains his hold and cranks my head back.
Keller roars. I hear a sizzle and then silence. The next thing I know, Keller is standing directly in front of me.
“Don’t move,” he says. I know he means it, but…
I start to argue, but then a feel a scrape along my neck and force my body to go dead still. A burning sensation creeps along my skin and I know I am a second away from being bitten.
Oh, hell no.
No vamp, save Keller, has ever bitten me and I’m sick at the thought that this nasty being’s fangs will violate me in that way. This is not my first vamp fight. Not by a long shot. I’ve had my share of close calls, but have always managed to evade the fangs.
The vamp inhales against my neck. Keller cocks his head and clenches his fists. Sweat slides down my cheek. My sweat. One wrong move and this vamp will snap my neck.
And then another scrape of his fangs as if the wretched vampire is savoring his last meal. Now I’m pissed. If Keller thinks I’m going to stand here and let this happen, he’s got a lot to learn about me.
I look Keller straight in the eye. Having heard every last thought in my head, he smiles.
Before I can act, two razor-sharp teeth prick my neck. The vamp follows that up with a soggy lick. Keller’s eyes burn bright. He nods once and I use all my strength to duck. Keller drives his fist into the blood-starved jerk’s larynx. The vamp staggers back, dragging me with him. I reach around and pull my blade out of his back just as he topples over. We land hard and the breath is knocked out of me. Stars flicker over my vision, but I suck it up and get to my knees. Keller is a blur of motion. With one swoop, he slices clean through my captor’s wrist, severing his hold.
“Ash-hole,” I yell before plunging the knife straight through his heart.
Breathless, I do what I’ve wanted to do since I first opened my eyes. I rush into Keller’s arms and hold tight. We steal those moments and I lock them up tight in my heart where they will stay forever. My head is tucked beneath Keller’s chin. He strokes a hand over my hair, and I feel the rumble of his chest when he speaks.
“Are you all right?”
I take a deep breath. “Yeah. My neck feels like it’s being eaten by acid, but I’ll be fine.”
Keller tilts my head to the side. “It’s not deep. The burning will ease up in a minute or two.”
I tuck my head again. I like being wrapped in his arms. “Your bite never burns like this.”
He doesn’t say anything at first, but I know he’s smiling. “I’d like to say it’s because we’re meant for each other. Sadly, that’s not the case. He burned you because poison spreads poison.”
No further explanation is needed. I know exactly what he means. Whether it was Cross’s fault or not, these vamps were toxic through and through.
“Ready to get that treaty signed?”
I look up at him, eyes wide. “Seriously?”
Keller smiles. “Absolutely.”
“Yeah. I’m so ready.” Of course, the flickering light chooses that moment to burn out. Keller grabs my hand and tugs me forward. I follow blindly. He has my complete trust even if my heart is encased in barbed-wire.
“Stairs,” he says.
“Got it.” I lift my feet and we take the steps two at a time. A church bell chimes in the distance. Midnight. “You think there’s time?” Another chime. Dong.
“I do. However long it takes.”
I love Keller’s confidence. With my dagger in one hand, we reach the top and burst through the door. Dong. Cross is waiting for us. He’s not alone. The two thugs he’d had guarding his door upon my arrival are standing front and center.
Time slows down as we work our way through Cross’s security team. These are stronger than the vamps downstairs, but Keller and I are very motivated. We make an unstoppable team. Not to mention, I’m flying higher than the moon right now and ready to take on the world. Within seconds we skewer the guards like pigs over an open fire. Confetti made of ash floats around the room. I sneeze.
More guards rush in and my confidence starts to waver.
“Stop!” Cross’s order does not go unnoticed. His power is undeniable. Everyone obeys, including Keller and I, but we do it for different reasons.
With Keller by my side, Cross’s persuasion tactics don’t work on me. I’ll have to figure that one out later. The bell chimes two more times and I realize it won’t chime again for another hour. My shoulders slump. We’re too late.
It’s never too late to do what’s right.
I study Cross to see if he also heard Keller. If he did, he doesn’t have a tell. Cross takes a seat and assumes an unimpressed stance. I beg to differ on that. He gestures to the couch across from him. We step over ashes and take a seat.
“Speak.”
I lift my brow at the order. Keller squeezes my knee. I look over and he shakes his head. As concisely as I can, I lay out the details of the treaty. Cross leans forward, steeples his fingers and listens, nodding occasionally.
When I’m done, I sit back and let out a huff of breath.
Cross shakes his head. “There’s nothing in this for me. The answer is no. Show yourselves out.” Cross stands and moves to the bar. He pours two fingers of scotch and tosses it back in one swallow.
Not cool. I’ll leave on my own terms. “Nothing in it for you?” My blood is simmering. “How about we let you live if you sign it? I’d say that’s something.” Whether I can back that statement up is yet to be seen. Right now I can’t bring myself to care.
Cross smiles, all sinister-like. “I’ll live anyway, and we both know it.”
Keller clears his throat. “That’s where you’re wrong.” His voice is eerily calm. “I’m here to represent the Assembly. I have their authority to dole out punishments as I see fit. The way I see it, you have two choices here. You can either listen to Josie, sign this treaty, and then pack your bags and move your operation out of Nashville, or you can die in this house when I burn it to the ground. Had you signed two minutes ago, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Now there are no other options for you.”
Cross stiffens. He pours another drink, but this time only swirls it around in the glass.
“Perhaps, Ms. Hawk,” he says with a tilt of his head, “you can tell me more about this treaty.”
I’m in shock, but I manage to keep my expression bland. If—scratch that—when we get out of here, I’m going to jump Keller the first chance I get.
>
I answer his questions even though I know he’s only stalling for time. Cross isn’t stupid. Blatantly pissing off the Assembly isn’t his style. No doubt he’s already figured out which city to taint next. Keller doesn’t speak again until I’m finished.
He rises. I stand with him.
“Sign it.” Keller’s order surprises me. Cross is older and stronger, but in this moment, Keller takes on the superior role. Working on behalf of the Assembly holds clout in every corner of the world. I’m so proud to be standing next to Keller, I can’t help but smile.
Cross waves his hand in the air. One of his vamp cronies brings him a pen. He signs the sheet of paper Keller had brought. How long has he had it with him? Doesn’t matter. The deed is done and Nashville will be safer. Cross will still deal drugs, I’m sure of it, but this is a start. At least he’ll be out of my town. For how long, though? Cross isn’t one to lie down and roll over. No matter what the treaty says. Undoubtedly, he is already forming a plan of attack. I’ll be ready.
Outside, I breathe in the chilly air. Keller wraps his arms around me and we begin the trek back to my apartment. Keller makes a phone call to the head of the Assembly to tell them about the treaty. I ignore the twinges of jealousy. I’ll get over it. As long as I’m on the team and can help protect the innocents, that’s what really matters. Right?
Once inside we head for the shower at the same time. Keller turns on the water while I undress. Both completely nude, we step under the water and Keller pulls me against him, flesh to flesh. This is better than déjà vu. Ostara has faded and offered a brand new day.
“You made this happen, Josie.”
I sigh and lean against him. Only a short time ago, I had told myself the Assembly’s approval meant nothing to me. That isn’t true. It still does, but it isn’t the most important thing in my life anymore. “You’re wrong. We made this happen.”
“The Assembly agrees with you.” Keller turns me in his arms. “We’re both leading this team from today forth.”
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 131