Bodyguard of Love

by Lane, Terri

  “This is irregular. I just drank blood, I should be able to at least stand steady on my feet,” I said.

  “True…let’s go to the clinic. I’d like to draw your blood,” he said thoughtfully. I let him escort me there, not trusting my own two feet. The way the halls constantly spun didn’t sit well either.

  “Could that bullet have been poisonous?” I asked. Porter sat me down on one of the transfusion chairs. He stretched my arm out and quickly took out the instruments needed to draw blood.

  “If it were so, you would have exhibited symptoms directly after being shot,” he murmured. He glanced at me curiously, then seemed to consider his words before speaking again. “While in the safe house…did you happen to get close with any of the vampires?” he asked.

  “Get close?” I asked. Porter painlessly took a vial of my blood. He went over to his desk and set it down before going to one of his giant bureaus in search of something.

  “Lay with, I mean,” he said. A jolt of shock froze me to the seat. The thought of my being pregnant hardly crossed my mind. Not when I laid with Kai and not after. It wasn’t as if procreating with wolves was impossible. At our base, our kind were both human. Only, we had evolutionary deviations that made us what we were. There had been crossbreeds before, though the hybrids weren’t well received in either wolf or vampire cultures. In fact, they were despised. Wolves and vampires were natural enemies. The thought of creating offspring with them was practically abhorrent in most cases. Whenever a hybrid surfaced they were weeded out and killed, along with the parents. They weren’t allowed to exist.

  “Sophia?” Porter snapped me out of my thoughts, still colored with shock.

  “I…ah,” I didn’t know what to say. Porter pursed his lips and proceeded to drop my blood into some small test he withdrew from the bureau. It was circular and appeared very much like a birth control wheel.

  “You are very much pregnant…” he murmured. “The test hasn’t even fully absorbed your blood and already you have a marked showing of pregnancy hormones.

  “What?” I gasped. My head became so light, I felt as if it would detach from my body. Porter’s concerned gaze found me and he was quick to bring a bucket under my chin. I vomited what little was in my stomach. Then the sight of the blood kept me dry heaving.

  “Sophia, it’s alright,” Porter said. He rubbed my back. “The child will be well protected and cared for. It has the backing of an entire coven.”

  Tears blurred my vision. My child wouldn’t have the backing of a coven, or a pack. It would be born an outcast. Potentially an outcast without a father, and that was only if I managed to keep it a secret and it could live.

  “Was Damien the one…?” Porter asked.

  “Y-yes,” I forced myself to say. “He was.”

  Porter sighed heavily and took the bucket out of my sight. Soon he handed me a bottle of water. “You’ll need to increase the amount of blood you intake. You’ll be feeding for two. Preferably you’d take from Damien’s vein. But it’s fine to stick to an increased diet of human blood,” he said.

  “Will I be able to…function at my norm?” I asked.

  “Of course, should you have the proper diet. Otherwise you will become dizzy, and your body could give out. Like in the sparring room,” he said.

  “Without the blood of its father…will the child be weak?” I asked.

  “Not necessarily. Though, vampire children that were fed their fathers’ blood while in the womb do come out generally healthier and with a better outlook. But so have offspring coming from regular human blood nutrient. There is equal statistic on this,” he reassured me.

  “Alright then…” I said slowly.

  “I will be back with some blood for you,” he said and left me alone to the chaos of my thoughts. I had four months until the child would be big enough for Porter to take a DNA sample, then two months later the child would be born. That didn’t leave me with enough time to come up with some plan for a life for it. I needed to find someone who’d care for it, I needed to set up a home for it, funds…I needed a safe place to birth it. I needed Kai. He should know about his own child, I couldn’t keep that from him. I just had no way of getting to Kai, or even getting a hold of him. I didn’t know where to begin.

  “Here you are Sophia,” said Porter, returning with a full glass of blood. Alexis was in his wake.

  “Is it true?” she asked.

  “Porter, must you gossip?” I asked.

  “Only to Alexis,” he said, his tone apologetic.

  “Oh, a child between you and Damien, it’ll be beautiful,” she sighed.

  “I believe it’ll be a girl. Damien was just a tad effeminate,” Porter mused. I rolled my eyes at the both of them, but let them talk. My mind was on how I’d get into contact with Kai. It would have to be soon, while Alexis was still running the coven, and certainly before the conference my father was putting together at Prime Coven. I took a sip of the blood and started planning my trip to Seattle.

  * * *

  I managed to leave the house without raising any suspicion. Of course, no one there knew about anything to be suspicious of so I left without a problem. I knew of a few wolf packs in the Portland area, but I didn’t know where any of the wolves lived. When in human form they were just that, humans. They had their own houses or apartments. The wolves tended not to draw together under one house as vampires did. Which is why I figured my chances of finding Kai would be greater at the wolves’ center in Seattle. I was sure there’d still be wolf patrols in any of the national parks near that city. I’d have to take my chances walking around in Cougar and Tiger Mountain parks.

  I focused on the road. The usual two and a half hour drive was cut down to two hours. The fleet engine of my Porsche saw to that. I drove to Cougar Mountain Park first and parked in one of the hiker lots. I wore regular jeans, boots, and a plain green flannel shirt covered with a black jacket. It wasn’t the usual vampire combat gear I wore when venturing into forests. My heart rate sped up as I strode towards the trail. If I was confronted by a wolf, they’d more than likely attack. Then what would I do? Ask for Kai? I sighed and then shrugged. I suppose that was all I could do.

  The trees seemed to close around me like a womb as I made my way down the hiking trail. A couple of humans passed me. They seemed like tourists, wearing packs and holding a map at the ready. All I had was a canteen of ‘just in case’ blood clipped to my belt. The wolves wouldn’t show themselves until I was at least five miles into the woods. I rubbed my stomach, somewhat apprehensively. I hadn’t yet fully accepted the idea of being pregnant. I couldn’t really believe that I was. Porter suspected it would be a girl, yet I kept thinking of ‘he’ whenever I thought of it.

  Late afternoon had turned to dusk by the time I picked up on a wolf’s scent. My steps slowed and I listened for company bigger than a complaining bird or squirrel. I picked up on a slow heartbeat at the same time I heard soft padded footfalls to my left. I didn’t move. Instead I waited for the giant white wolf to emerge from the trees. It growled at me and gnashed its teeth before it tossed its head to the right. It wanted me to go back where I came from.

  “I…I’m looking for Kai, Head Alpha heir. I need to speak with him,” I said. The wolf ceased its growling and tilted its head at me. “I have no weapons on me, I’m just looking for him,” I added. Its pale blue eyes appraised me for a full minute, before she shifted into the form of a human woman.

  “Why are you looking for Kai?” she asked derisively.

  “I was one of the vampires he took sanctuary with in the safe house. I…just need to speak with him. Do you know how I could get a hold of him?” I asked.

  “Look, I’m sure whatever happened in that safe house should stay there. Wolves and vampires shouldn’t be getting mixed up. Especially now. There’s a greater threat to deal with,” she said.

  “Why are you speaking to me?” I asked, trying for a different angle.

  “When a single vampire, not dressed for combat
, and without any weapons on her comes to speak with us calmly. I’m more inclined to listen. Plus, I thought vampires couldn’t tolerate any degree of daylight…you look fine,” she said.

  “Only humans turned vampire burn up in sunlight. Those of us born from pure blood, truly vampire, can tolerate sunlight. But…can you at least relay a message to Kai?” I asked.

  “I don’t do the bidding of vampires. Anyways, Kai just left Seattle. He’s back with his local pack in Portland,” she said.

  “Thank you,” I said. I knew that’d be as much help I could hope for from a wolf. She rolled her eyes, then shifted back into wolf form and stalked off into the trees. I would’ve sprinted back to the car. But I sensed more wolves on either side of the trails. No doubt, they were making sure I left their woods quietly. I sped back to Portland. I’d have to venture out into the woods of known wolf territory come the following afternoon. My coven would no doubt take notice of my prolonged absence. That, and the commemoration of those we lost was to take place that night. I couldn’t miss Damien’s memorial.

  * * *

  Kai

  I was doing it again. Staring at my car keys. I don’t know how many times I picked them up and walked to my car, wanting to get to Sophia. We left without exchanging a way to get in touch with each other. If I just showed up at her coven’s house, I’d be surely slaughtered. Then I’d start an entirely new war and…well it just wasn’t smart. I sighed heavily and got up to grab a beer from my fridge. The buzzer sounded and I went to see who it was. The intercom had a little video feed so I saw who was at the door. Standing outside was Kevin, my Second. I pressed the button to let him in. He knocked on my apartment door a minute later.

  “What’s up?” I asked after answering the door. Kevin looked like he just got back from a patrol. He was in hiking pants and a t-shirt. His sandy blond hair was disheveled and hanging in his face.

  “Ah…had a weird encounter today while on a run,” he said. I offered him a beer and he took it.

  “What? A Hunter surrendered to you, rolled over and called you daddy?” I asked. Kevin cracked up.

  “You’re stupid man. No, I came across a vampire in our woods. She was completely alone and not in that leather combat crap they wear. It was midday too. She was fine in the sun,” he said. My brows furrowed and my heart rate picked up. But I was kind of afraid to hope it was Sophia looking for me…because, why would she? If she came looking for me she risked the same thing I did in going after her. Kevin took a seat in the living room while I got another beer for myself.

  “She was hot too. With the black hair and icy blue eyes. I swear she was Kate Beckinsale’s twin,” he said.

  “You and your Kate Beckinsale obsession…” I joined him on the couch. “So, what did you do?” I asked.

  “She wanted to talk. So, I shifted and she asked for you,” he said. My mouth dried up then, it was Sophia.

  “Did she give a name?” I asked.

  “No, she just wanted me to tell you to meet her on the Wildwood Trailhead. Today at five,” he said. I stared at him, I didn’t know what the hell to say. Kevin sat forward and studied my face.

  “What’s that about?” he asked.

  “Ah…I’m not sure. We were holed up together in Gifford Pinchot Forest,” I said. “She’d talked about the possibility of wolves and vamps working together to take out the Hunters,” I said. “I told her that if we made it out working together, then maybe it could be possible,” I added.

  Thankfully Kevin’s gaze cleared and he nodded in understanding. “That would be something. Vampires and Wolves working together…how did you manage to survive even though everyone else died?” he asked. I’d only given my father a brief report on what went down in that safe house and forest.

  “We worked together. We had to. We actually came up with pretty good formations and strategies to get out of the situations we were in. Of course, only two of us made it out alive because the forest was saturated with Hunters. But if our numbers were evened out we’d have decimated those bastards,” I said.

  I surreptitiously checked the time. There were three more hours left before going to meet Sophia and I could hardly wait. My muscles twitched under my skin just waiting for the hours to pass.

  “I don’t know man, I can’t see our kinds working together on a large scale,” Kevin scoffed.

  “When the situation is dire enough…you’d be surprised,” I said.

  “Do you think the Hunter war will get that bad?” he asked.

  “It already is Kev. Dad is calling a huge gathering for next week. Maybe I’ll have some shocking suggestions to put forth,” I said.

  “Ephraim would bite off one of your ears man. Do you think he’d agree to work with the vampires? If maybe this chick can convince the rest of her kind?” he asked.

  “Sophia’s the vampire princess, so I don’t think it’ll be as hard for her to reason with her kind. And I don’t think the wolves would be so hard to reason with. We’re facing more and more slaughters around Gifford Forest. The Hunters are bold, believe me,” I said.

  “I believe you,” he murmured. “So, I met the vampire princess? I didn’t even know it,” he said, shaking his head. “She’s hot, I have to admit,” he said. I had to clamp down on the growl that threatened to rip up from my chest. “Course that’s for a vampire anyway,” he added quickly. I was sure he took my scowl for disapproval at his finding a ‘vampire’ attractive.

  “She said she’d be meeting me alone?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but I can flank from a distance if you need,” he said.

  “No, I’ll be cautious. If it looks like more than just her, I’ll hightail it out of there,” I said.

  “Whatever you say, oh fearless leader,” he said. I sat back on the couch and grabbed the TV remote.

  “Wanna play Madden?” I asked. Kevin picked up the Xbox controller as his answer. The time passed quickly then. Kev kept my mind from being consumed by thoughts of Sophia. I couldn’t help but wonder how she looked, if she was all healed up, or still trying to get back to normal. I wondered if she missed me the way I missed her. Which was crazy, our affair had been short and quick, like a comet streaking through the sky. Even though I wanted her, I doubted I’d be able to have her like I did ever again. For all I knew, she really did want to speak with me about getting our kind to work together in taking out the Hunter army trying to cleanse our region.

  Whatever was her reason for seeking me out, I planned to bring up the ‘us’ thing with her. There was some part of me deep in my chest that had latched onto her and I just couldn’t shake it.

  * * *

  Sophia

  My feet were set on pacing even though I tried to keep myself in check. It was five minutes until five and I hadn’t caught whiff or heard any sign of a wolf’s presence. That wolf Kevin assured me that he’d relay my message to Kai…but how much could I trust a wolf that I didn’t know? Kevin owed me nothing. It was completely up to him whether to set a trap for me or actually give my message to Kai. The anxiety clawed up from my chest. I was stupid, I’d probably just set myself into a trap of my own doing.

  Just as I was about to turn and leave, I heard footsteps approaching me from around the bend in the trail. A few seconds later, Kai stepped into view. Odd warmth diffused through my chest and entire being. He looked just like I remembered him, yet also much more. He didn’t have the shadow of battle on him. His tanned skin was clean and his golden eyes bright.

  “Kai…” I breathed. His name was like relief on my tongue.

  “Sophia,” he said, smiling. “How are you? Are you alright?” he asked. I didn’t track his movements. All I knew was that he’d been three feet away from me, then was within a breath’s distance. I didn’t think to be cautious. I slid my fingers up along his muscular forearm and stretched up to brush my lips lightly over his.

  Kai cupped a hand under my chin and deepened the kiss. His tongue slid past my lips to caress mine. I leaned into him, absorbing his heat and lett
ing him settle me a bit. I felt up in the air and unsure of everything since finding out about the baby. But being in his arms…he tethered me.

  “I didn’t know if looking for you would work,” I said. He let me pull back slightly.

  “I kept wanting to drive up to your coven’s house and throw pebbles at every window until I found yours…or died,” he said.

  “Don’t say that…I couldn’t bear it if you ceased to exist,” I said. Kai studied my features for a brief moment.

  “So, are you ready to head to Canada?” he joked.

  “Perhaps…” I said. I wasn’t sure how serious I was. But something had to happen.

  “Sophia, what’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I’m pregnant, Kai.”

  “You’re pregnant with a hybrid?” he asked.

  “Yes, ours,” I said. I was almost surprised with how well he took the news. He was staring at me intently, but I didn’t see any panic in his gaze and he wasn’t tensed to run either.

  “You’re pregnant with a hybrid…” he breathed. It was more a statement than question that time.

  “I’m pregnant with…our child,” I gently corrected. Kai took a deep breath and then held my hands together in his.

  “You’re pregnant with our hybrid child,” he repeated. I pressed my lips together and let him take the time he needed for the news to sink in. He stared down at our joined hands for a long time.

  “We can’t stay here,” he finally said.

  “Or at least the child can’t,” I said. Kai looked up and searched my gaze.

  “The baby won’t have a pack, and he won’t have a coven. We’d be all the family he has…and we should be a family,” he said. His conviction was quiet, but fervent and there in his gaze.

  “But Kai, how can we simply disappear from our responsibilities and what we were born into?” I asked.

  “It’s easy, we just go. We find some place safe and start a new kind of life together,” he said. “What were you thinking?” he asked. His tone wasn’t accusing, simply curious.