by D McEntire
Marie was amazed. She had felt Kern, and now he was here. As she stood before the Rogues she had sensed Kern’s touch as if he had been directly behind her. The sensation had been strange, like a butterfly touching her soul—soft and warm. She had relished it and tried to return her love. Seeing him, she knew it had worked.
When the fight began, Marie had shielded the woman and her child, not letting them see the battle, though she, herself, saw it all unfold from over her shoulder. She watched Kern rip the man to shreds, proud to know it was what they did, what he did. The Watchers protected people from these crazed animals, monsters—Rogues.
These were the killers Dr. Pearson had been ranting about, Marie thought, holding the woman close as she and the child trembled.
The alley became eerily silent, and Marie stared in horror as the bodies, even the Rogues’ clothing, slowly disintegrated, transforming into piles of scattered ashes.
Marie searched for Kern and saw him walk out of the alley alone. He neither looked at her, nor did he call out to her. Her heart sank, and she fought back tears. He must be really angry and disappointed with me.
Tank approached while Vane and Trigg took care of any remaining traces of the Rogues and their battle. He slowly pulled the woman and child out of Marie’s embrace and escorted them out of the alley and to the woman’s vehicle. They must have been heading for the car before the attack, Marie thought.
Marie heard Tank speak to them, staring straight into their eyes. She knew he was altering their memories of what had happened. He spoke in low, soothing tones, telling them they had just had a wonderful time shopping and were now going straight home. He suggested the two have a nice cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows when they got there.
After the woman drove away, Tank returned to where Marie stood. She realized she had been so deep in thought, she hadn’t moved from her spot.
“Marie? Are you okay?” Tank asked softly. She noticed his gaze roaming over her as if checking for injuries before he glanced around the alley and frowned.
The dam broke, and she could no longer hold in the hurt. She shook her head sprinted out of the alley, tears streaming down her face. Walking the sidewalks alone, a million thoughts rippled inside her head. She wanted to run and keep going, but she had nowhere to go.
Marie stopped and leaned against the front of a building. What was she going to do? She had no idea how to make amends with Kern. She had been totally reckless in front of his new Cell-mates.
Tank walked into the kitchen as Vane and Trigg trailed behind. Robyn and Rosa jumped from their chairs, anxious to hear news of Marie.
“Where’s Marie? Is she alright?” Robyn asked.
“Kern came in a moment ago, but didn’t say a word. He just made a beeline for his room and shut the door. He was covered in blood,” Rosa added.
Tank told them how Marie had protected a woman and her child from four Rogues in an alley. When they both moved to speak, he raised his hands to silence them so he could finish.
“No one was hurt. We got there and took the Rogues out. I sent the woman and her child on their way with happy thoughts.”
“But, where’s Marie?” Robyn asked impatiently.
Tank shrugged. “I don’t know. When I looked around Kern had already left the alley. Marie seemed upset by it and took off. I have no idea what happened between them.”
Suddenly, he understood. “Ah, man,” he said on a long sigh. “Kern has a lot to learn. He tore apart one of the Rogues, then took off before even speaking to Marie. That man has still got a lot of anger inside of him because of that bastard Pearson. He definitely needs work on controlling it. I’ll bet he’s thinking pretty low about himself for losing it in front of Marie, especially with her being new to this and all.”
“But, how did Marie react to it? Was she scared or totally freaked out by what he did?” Rosa asked, remembering Vane doing the same to Rico, a psycho vampire who had stalked her.
“No, not really. I believe she was hurt he had left her there.”
“Poor girl,” Rosa cried. “We’ve got to find her. Come on, Robyn.” Rosa grabbed Robyn’s arm and headed out the door before their mates could protest.
Tank told Trigg and Vane to let them go. It was time for a little girl talk, he figured. Besides, it would do some good to bring Marie closer to Robyn and Rosa. Marie needed friends right now, and they were all here for her and Kern as well.
Marie walked slowly, nearing the converted warehouse knowing she was going to have to face Kern. She planned to apologize profusely and let him know she would never embarrass him in front of the other Watchers again. She had reacted without thinking.
Her parents and the holidays had been on her mind when she had seen the woman and her child, then noticed the presence of someone following them a little too closely. From somewhere deep inside, her own protective instincts had kicked in, like what she had felt when the doctor had shot Kern.
When Robyn and Rosa caught up with her, Marie’s momentary respite from crying was over, and she started all over again. She told them everything and why she had taken off to help the woman. They understood and held her close to comfort her as they escorted her to their home. While they walked, they did a little men bashing at the males pigheaded behavior.
Marie listened to Robyn relay her similar experience with Trigg. The Watcher had refused to entertain the idea of a relationship between a vampire and a human until she had almost died.
Rosa told her own story. She’d had misguided thoughts about Vane, explaining he had been somewhat of a player, and how each had assumed they were not good enough for the other.
The girls were doing a good job of cheering her up, and Marie couldn’t help but laugh at the situations the four of them had been through, but was glad to know everything had worked out in the end. She hoped the case would be the same for her and Kern. She loved him, and when she told Robyn and Rosa how she felt about him, they beamed with joy.
When the three women returned to the kitchen, Robyn and Rosa sent Marie on her way upstairs to talk to Kern. The advice they had given her was to get everything out in the open and not hold anything back—either of them. The only way totally to understand what each other are thinking and their true feelings for one another was to spill everything.
Kern was in the shower when Marie came into the bedroom. She quietly closed the door behind her.
The shower shut off, and she heard the curtain being pulled aside. Nervously, she sat at the foot of the bed, waiting for Kern to come out of the bathroom.
Kern finished his shower, then wrapped a large towel around his waist and opened the bathroom door. Marie was sitting on the edge of the bed, a pensive look on her face as she stared at him intently.
He stood there a moment, trying to judge what she was thinking. There was no condemnation, anger or fear. He took this as a good sign.
Kern stepped forward slowly, giving Marie a chance to leave the room if she felt she needed to get away from him, but she made no move and her gaze never left his face.
“Kern, I should have told you about the Rogues instead of taking off by myself. I know…I’m sure I’ve embarrassed you in front of the other Watchers, and I’m truly sorry. I don’t yet know much about the ways of Watchers or vampires. I hope I didn’t make you look bad. I’ll get my things together and leave if you want.”
Her eyes filled with tears, which quickly spilled over her long, dark eyelashes. Kern went to her immediately, pulling her from the bed and into his arms. He was such a fool and wondered how many times he would act like an idiot before he got it right. He had thought Marie would have been totally appalled at seeing him act like a monster.
While he had been berating himself for losing control, she had been berating herself thinking he had left because he was angry with her. She had thought he had been another person to wash their hands of her.
Kern kissed her deeply, passionately. He would never abandon her, and he would tell her so over and over until she
finally believed him.
“Marie. You have nothing to apologize for. I thought after you had seen me act like the creature Dr. Pearson had claimed I was, you would be sorry you hadn’t listened to him and let me die in the lab.”
Marie took Kern’s face in her hands and looked him straight in the eyes. “You are not a monster, Kern. You never were, and you never will be. Dr. Pearson was stupid and insane. He doesn’t know anything about your race and who the real killers are. I have seen them.”
She allowed Kern to pull her to the edge of the bed.
“Marie, I never want to lose you. I want you to know I will never, ever, walk away from you.”
Marie’s heart soared at his declaration, but she saw he wasn’t stopping there.
“You gave me my life. You showed me no matter what darkness one goes through, there is always love and light. These things are too precious to let slip away. You’re my love and my life, Marie, and I couldn’t bear to live without you.”
The tight lines on his face were softer now, although anxiety was visible. Intense emotions radiated off him, causing Marie’s heart to beat faster.
“There’s something I want to ask, and you don’t have to answer right away. I’ll explain it thoroughly, and you can let me know whenever you decide.”
Marie waited, holding her breath. Is he going to ask me to marry him? Did vampires even get married?
“Marie, will you be my mate? Before you answer, let me tell you what it means. When two vampires become mates, such as Trigg and Robyn, and Vane and Rosa, they become almost as one. They are closer than any two humans could ever possibly be, unless they were Siamese twins, of course.”
Marie smiled at his attempt at humor, but urged him to continue.
“I’m a Watcher. You’ve seen firsthand what we do. It’s my job. Something I have vowed to undertake until I die or am no longer able to fight. I don’t want to put a strain on you, having you worry about me every night and wondering if I’m going to come home before the dawn.”
Marie shook her head. “Being a Watcher is like being a cop, but definitely more hardcore. It’s okay, Kern. I understand and would never want you to change what you do.”
After she finished speaking, Marie’s thoughts returned to Kern’s question. “Are you asking me to marry you? Or is this some sort of a long-term shacking up kind of thing?”
Kern let out a roar of laughter. She was such a ray of sunshine to him. He looked at her intently and clarified he was proposing marriage—vampire marriage.
When Marie kissed him hard and said, “You bet your ass I will be your mate,” Kern was overwhelmed with joy. He laughed as she yanked off his towel and lightly slapped him on the thigh with it, then tossed it on the floor.
With painstakingly slow movements, he undressed her and laid her on the bed, settling himself over her soft, warm body, and kissing her soundly before rolling onto his back and settling her on top of him.
After straddling his thighs, Marie took him inside her. Kern groaned. She felt like heaven.
He let her set the pace, which she took slow and easy. Although it was driving him mad, he didn’t try to speed up the rhythm. He didn’t have to. She began to do it herself.
When he felt her tense around him, he leaned up and pulled her neck to his mouth, then sank his fangs, sending her over the edge and into oblivion. After a few moments he groaned out his request as he slowed his thrusts.
“Marie, take from me, bond with me.”
As he continued to drink from her neck, he felt the prick of her fangs in his shoulder. The sensation drove him wild. He thrust hard and fast, sending them both on the ride of their lives. She released his shoulder and cried out her second orgasm, and he followed, relishing the sound of his name echoing through the bedroom and the intensity of climaxing the same time as Marie had reached her own.
They lay on the bed, Marie resting on his chest while he idly trailed his fingers up and down her back. She was toying with the hair on his chest, lifting her hand from his skin, then slowly letting the hair sift through her fingers. The touch was light. It tickled and gave him goose bumps.
Kern kissed her lovingly on the top of her head. He felt as if he were dreaming. He was slowly beginning to put his life together after his eight month ordeal, and most, if not all, was because of Marie, his mate. They were truly bonded now, truly mated, and he would never, ever let her go.
Smiling at his good fortune, Kern watch as Marie drifted off to sleep, still sprawled on his chest. He had seen heaven. It was right here in his bed, and it was snoring, he mused.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Marie sat Indian-style on the floor in front of the brightly lit Christmas tree. She felt Kern’s presence moments before he walked up behind her. He handed her a mug of hot cocoa, then sat on the floor at her side.
“It’s so beautiful,” she breathed.
Kern leaned in and kissed the top of her head.
“Yes, you are.”
Marie glanced at Kern and laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
The four Watchers and three mates had headed out together earlier in the evening to pick out a Christmas tree. Marie had thought it comical shopping for one at night, but thankfully, the tree market was open and brightly lit so they had an idea of what their selection would look like when adorned with lights.
Gold trimming sparkled among white lights. She had helped the gang decorate the tree while they joked and laughed. Never had she experienced such a joyous Christmas Eve, and it was not over yet. At midnight they were all going to exchange gifts. To keep it simple, they opted to draw names. Gifts between mates would be a private affair.
Marie had drawn Tank’s name. At first, she was terrified. Though he had always been sweet and caring in her presence, the Watchers’ Commanding Officer was built like a Mack truck and someone who would make you piss your pants if you came across him in a dark alley. Observation over the week they were to purchase their gifts had been her saving grace.
The grandfather clock began to chime. Kern stood and held out his hand, pulling Marie from the floor.
Robyn, Trigg, Vane, Rosa and Tank stepped into the living room, leaving their game of pool and accusations of cheating behind.
Rosa, who was tucked into Vane’s side, began to sing. Marie had never heard such a beautiful voice. After the first verse, they all joined in the chorus, the words of Silent Night echoing throughout the old converted warehouse.
Marie’s eyes filled with tears. Not only because Christmas songs had always made her cry. She was so full of joy it was hard keeping it in. Luckily, the gift giving had started and saved her from embarrassing herself.
When it was her turn, Marie reached under the tree and picked up the present she had purchased, then handed it to Tank. His silver eyes sparkled as he smiled and thanked her.
Marie held her breath as he tore off the wrapping paper, hoping she had made the right choice.
At first, she couldn’t judge his reaction as his face seemed expressionless and his eyes distant. Then he turned and gave her a big bear hug, resulting in a low growl from Kern and laughter from the others.
Turning on his heels, Tank bounded up the stairs to his room and closed the door behind him.
“What did you give him?”
Marie turned to see all eyes upon her and questioning looks on everyone’s faces. She wasn’t sure if it was Robyn or Rosa who asked the question. She had been so astonished at the way Tank had accepted her gift, she was still momentarily speechless.
“Um. Just a CD. I noticed him listening to classical piano, so that’s what I got him.”
Kern brought an arm around her and pulled her to his side.
Trigg frowned. “You know, he started listening to that crap right after the fireworks festival in April. It’s gotten to where I hate riding with him. Every time I try to change the channel he threatens my life.”
“Do you think it has something to do with the piano player he saw at the hotel tha
t night?” Vane asked.
Everyone seemed to shrug mentally, not knowing what to make of Tank’s behavior.
Music wafted through Tank’s closed door. It was a soothing melody. Marie found herself humming along, trying to follow the notes as talk and laughter surrounded her. She turned to Kern and saw him staring at the top of the tree.
“What are you looking at?”
He turned to her and gazed into her eyes. His beautiful blue irises were almost glowing. “I was looking at the tree topper and thinking of my own angel. The one who came a long way to rescue me.”
He pulled her close and kissed her. She felt all of his emotions in that kiss, the most powerful one being love.
Epilogue
They all sat around the large dining room table playing a game of a cards—Kern and Marie, Trigg and Robyn, Vane and Rosa, Tank and Dr. Olivia, who had dropped in to check on the new addition to the Cell.
Kern glanced at Dr. Olivia and when their gazes met, he smiled. He could never thank his boss enough for presenting his case to the Council. When Stephanus made his unannounced appearance tonight, Kern was sure it was to order him to appear at Headquarters in Texas. To his relief, Stephanus never made that statement. Instead, he announced changes in the Council’s policy on converting humans was under discussion. With the policy under review, no charges would be brought against him.
The Watchers were razzing each other, accusing one another of cheating, which Kern decided must be a standing order for any game they played.
Christmas was over and New Year’s Eve was a few days away. It would be a new year for hopes and dreams.
Kern leaned over and kissed Marie on her cheek. Although she had already forgiven him for his outburst in the lab, and the bruise had long ago faded thanks to the quick healing properties in vampire blood, he did it almost hourly. It was not only meant as an apology, but a reminder to himself of what he could have become if it had not been for her, his mate, and her love.