by Ava McKnight
"You gave him exactly what he wanted, didn't you? Didn't you?” His hands gripped her biceps and he shook her soundly. “Damn it, Catalina! You deceived me. You betrayed me!"
"No, Seth! I escaped! I came back to you. I'm here because I chose you. Please help me!” She felt a strange shift that simply didn't make sense to her. Suddenly, Seth had turned against her. “Please, Seth. Ryan means to hold me captive. You have to do something!"
He released her and she nearly stumbled backward. His usually handsome face turned to a mask of hard angles as he glared at her. “You've failed me, Catalina. You mean nothing to me now."
"No! Seth!” She clutched at his hand. “You don't understand. There are strange things going on at Donovan's mansion. There are ... strange ... terrifying ... creatures...” Oh, Christ! How could she possibly explain this to him? As soon as she uttered the word vampire, she'd be off to a loony bin.
"Seth!” She just couldn't begin to describe the amount of danger she was in. The amount of terror that currently plagued her life. “You have to call the police. You have to help me!"
His sharp gaze speared her. He let out another low growl. “I can't help you now, Catalina. You betrayed me. You let Rynon touch you. You let him plant his seed inside you."
"What?” She couldn't even begin to comprehend his level of anger and loathing. She'd been the one violated by Donovan, the one held captive.
But then Seth's words penetrated her confused mind and she latched onto one nugget of information that made her suddenly, painfully, aware of where she stood with Seth Hilliard. One word that confirmed that everything Ryan Donovan had said last night, everything Elaina had said today, was true.
"You called him Rynon,” she whispered.
Seth lifted a light eyebrow and said, “Surely that's the name you now use with your lover."
"He's not my lover,” she spat. “He...” Her voice trailed off. He was what, exactly? Cat stared at Seth, unable to vocalize what had truly happened last night. She had to face facts. Ryan hadn't raped her. He hadn't forced himself on her. He hadn't made her succumb to anything she wasn't the least bit interested in succumbing to.
But damn it. He'd tried to keep her holed up in his house.
"Ryan tried to kidnap me,” she uttered for the umpteenth time since she'd stepped into Seth's private conference room. Yet she suspected that she was talking to herself at this point. He wasn't listening, wasn't looking as though he cared much about her great escape. Instead, anger filled his dark eyes and his jaw set in a hard line.
In a sharp tone he said, “You would have been safe in my coven. Instead, you chose Rynon. Now there is nothing I can do, but ... kill the heir that grows in your womb."
She gasped. Her hands splayed over her belly in an instinctive, maternal way.
"You should not have gone to his house.” Seth's eyes turned black. As he spoke the light caught his now-protruding fangs. “You should never have been alone with him.” Seth began to circle her like a predator. “You're a traitor,” he said with a low snarl. “A traitor and a whore."
Panic turned to fear, which quickly turned to terror as Seth advanced on her. With a loud scream, she leaped away from him. Grabbing the handle of the water pitcher sitting on the conference table, she hurled it at Seth. The thick glass that comprised the bottom hit him squarely on the jaw, rendering Seth dazed just enough for Cat to run to the door.
But Seth recovered quickly and in a swift move, he had her by the arm. He flung her across the room. Her body went sailing through the air until it hit the far wall—and a picture frame that shattered upon impact. She bounced off the hard surface and hit the ground. Cat lay crumpled on the floor, blood from a gash on her forehead spilling down her temple and over her cheek. Bright lights flashed behind her closed eyelids. She let out a soft moan as pain lanced through every inch of her body.
Endless minutes ticked by. Cat heard the soft footsteps of the man she'd once trusted above all else. He made his way slowly toward her, stalking his prey. Her eyes fluttered open. Even that small movement caused her excruciating pain.
Seth bent down and reached a hand toward her, his long fingernails resembling deadly talons. Cat cowered away, knowing his intentions weren't good. Knowing she couldn't escape. He was going to kill her.
Her body began to quake, which sent spears of pain through every inch of her. But she couldn't stop shaking.
Suddenly, she caught a flash of red clothing out of the corner of her eye. Or was that just the blood seeping past her eye? No. It was definitely clothing. The tall figure perched on the ledge for the briefest of moments, then came crashing through the window, landing soundly on the middle of the conference room table, fangs bared.
Elaina!
Seth scowled and turned his attention on the intruder. He lunged toward Elaina but she eluded him as she gracefully jumped from the table. She touched down right before Cat. Sweeping Cat up in her arms, Elaina moved with lightning quick speed, dodging Seth's advancement on them. She leapt onto the window ledge and Cat let out a scream as they teetered on the narrow metal edge for just a moment before Elaina jumped out the window. They fell twenty-nine stories. The rush of air and the terror that seized her heart made it impossible for Cat to breathe or scream.
Just when she thought her and Elaina's bodies were going to splatter on the sidewalk below, Elaina's booted feet hit the concrete. Cat felt jarred to the core, but she was safe in Elaina's arms. In another second, they were in Cat's car, weaving through late-evening traffic. Several minutes passed while Cat collected her bearings and tried to assimilate their great escape.
"He's not following us,” Elaina said in a tight voice. “We can make it back to the mansion if he hasn't sent his vamps after us.” She peered in the rearview mirror then checked the side one.
Cat tried to pull in a full breath, but her body was too battered for even that simple action. She couldn't even muster the strength to swipe at the blood oozing along her temple. She wheezed noisily, feeling as though a million daggers pierced her insides.
"You shouldn't have lied to me,” Elaina finally said. “And you definitely shouldn't have gone to see Seth Hilliard without my protection. No, you shouldn't have gone to see him even with my protection. He's dangerous, Cat. He'll kill you."
"That was his plan,” she said in a weak voice that sounded more like a soft squeak. She turned her head, winced in pain. “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to knock you out. I was trying to escape."
"Escape from what?” she inquired in a serious tone. “From a coven that wants to protect you? From Rynon, who is the father of your child?"
"You don't understand,” she all but whimpered. “All of this has happened so fast, and none of it makes sense to me."
Seth had betrayed her.
Seth was a vampire.
Seth wanted her—and her child—dead.
"Will he hunt me?” She found herself asking.
"Yes. But you're safe at the mansion. He can't penetrate our security.” Her fangs retracted, as did her long, pointy nails. The perky blonde Cat had met last night returned. “Ryan will not be pleased with you."
Cat sighed. “I'm not exactly pleased myself. One minute, I'm trying to secure a land deal, the next, I'm pregnant by a vampire and nearly slaughtered by my boss."
She closed her eyes, tried to find some inner peace amidst this turmoil. Her mother would tell her to find the bright side. Cat almost laughed aloud. There was always a bright side, according to her mother. But not this time. Cat could find nothing positive about her current situation.
Except that she'd gained a new friend. She reached over and placed a hand on Elaina's, which gripped the steering wheel. “I'm so sorry I hit you. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just thought ... I thought you were the enemy."
"Don't be silly,” Elaina said as she flashed Cat a quick smile. “I'm not the enemy. I want to help keep you safe."
They drove in silence until they reached the estate. As they passed through the tall g
ates at the entrance, Elaina said, “Ryan will be angry that you disobeyed him. He will be angry with me, too."
"I'll tell him it's all my fault."
"No,” she said as she pulled the car into the detached, multi-stalled garage. She shut off the engine and turned to face Cat. “I let you trick me. I wanted us to be friends. I didn't want you to be unhappy, so I let you convince me to take you into the city. You must understand that I am sworn to protect you. That means I can't let you manipulate me ever again—not when it puts your life in danger."
Cat frowned. So the Amazon wasn't just some ditzy blonde. She was a ferocious bodyguard and a smart woman. Damn her. It made Cat like her more.
"I promise not to deceive you again,” Cat said. “In the future, if I try to escape, I'll manipulate someone else."
Elaina laughed. “You are so funny.” She shook her head and let herself out of the car.
Cat wondered if anything ever got the Amazon down. She unlatched her seat belt, but Elaina had to help her from the car. She offered to carry Cat, but Cat couldn't stomach the thought of entering the mansion in Elaina's arms, looking too beat up to stand on her own two feet. Instead, she asked Elaina to help her inside, but she tried to do most of the work herself. Unfortunately, the physical exertion made her lightheaded, and before they even entered the house, Cat had slumped against Elaina.
Passing through the tall front doors, Cat felt her trembling legs give way.
"Oh!” Elaina gasped as they both sank to the marble floor, Elaina's arms around Cat's waist.
"What happened to her?"
The low roar that came from the top of the stairs made Cat cringe. She barely had the strength to look up. Ryan sailed down the long, sweeping staircase and within seconds, he'd hauled Cat up. Hooking one powerful forearm under the backs of her knees while the other wrapped around her shoulders, he scooped her up and held her tightly to him.
"She's bleeding,” he hissed. His dark gaze landed on Elaina.
"She went to see Seth."
He growled low and deep. “And you let her?"
"It's not her fault,” Cat said, her voice raspy and weak. “I tricked her. Don't blame her."
That was all Cat could manage to say because the pain that wracked her body and the physical exhaustion that consumed her finally took over. She blacked out.
Chapter Eight
You must wait until your anger abates before you speak with her.
Rynon crossed his arms over his wide chest. “Then I guess I won't be speaking with her for the rest of the millennium."
Darius chuckled. She is obstinate, yes. She is also resourceful. You will have to keep a close eye on her. But, Rynon, you must understand that everything she has known and believed in has been a lie. Her entire life, her entire existence has been fabricated for her. Between us and Seth, she has been but a mere puppet. We've been the ones pulling the strings.
His frowned deepened. “She doesn't want to believe anything I've told her."
Can you blame her? You must remember that she has only had one day to try to comprehend what you have known for more than three hundred years.
Of course, he hadn't thought of it that way. He'd always known that the daughter of Palomus would become his bride, that she would bear his child. But all Cat knew of this was that he owned land that she wanted to procure. They had met two years ago, but didn't know each other well. That night at Spy Bar had been the most time they'd spent together. He had intended to make his move then. After a fabulous dinner, numerous cocktails, and some very erotic entertainment, he'd felt certain that he could seduce her. Take her back to the mansion and make love to her all night long.
But Cat had been much more difficult to seduce than any woman he'd ever known—in every century in which he'd lived. He had to admit that he liked her scruples. He'd thrived on the chase; though, really, he'd been most impressed by her strong character. She'd demonstrated a considerable amount of willpower. Granted, Rynon had felt compelled to break her restraint.
He'd cheated by bringing Elaina into the mix. For one thing, the beautiful blonde was damned near impossible to resist. Rynon had done so from the onset, but there weren't many creatures in existence that possessed his steely resolve. When Elaina set her sights on a target, nothing stood in her way. Rynon had used her because he hated to lose. And because he was growing tired of waiting for Cat to succumb to his advances. The vampire war was nearly upon them, and he couldn't afford to waste any more time. He'd needed to impregnate Cat with his seed to ensure the future existence of his coven.
Cat had been a woman worthy of his seduction. She was a woman worthy of carrying his child. Rynon, however, now worried whether he was a man worthy of her love.
He'd felt her passion and desire last night. It had flowed through him, mingling with his own erotic pleasure. When he'd been buried deep inside her, Rynon had known that he'd joined with the only woman he belonged with. The only woman he would forever belong to.
Unfortunately at the moment, the woman of his dreams—the woman he intended to spend the rest of eternity with—wasn't the least bit interested in staying put in his house. She wasn't interested in his protection. Hell, he was pretty certain she wasn't the least bit interested in bearing his child.
Rynon let out a low curse. It vexed him as much to know that as it did to know that she had run back to Seth. And the danger she'd put herself in! Rynon seethed at the thought of her carelessness, her lack of concern for her own well-being and that of their child.
But then he had to remind himself that she didn't know of the trouble she'd invited into her life. She didn't know Seth would turn on her, because she didn't believe him to be her enemy.
She ought to believe it now, though. At this very moment, she was lying in Rynon's bed with fourteen stitches along her hairline, and a body covered with deep purple bruises. Just thinking about the damage Seth had inflicted on her, not to mention the very realistic possibility that he could have killed her, the baby, or both, enraged Rynon.
Seth would pay for hurting her, Rynon would see to it.
In the meantime, he had his hands full trying to overcome his insane jealously that she had trusted Seth over him. He had to rise above the anger he felt because she'd tricked Elaina and left the house against his wishes. And he had to find someway to curb his monstrous appetite for her. She was injured, after all. As much as he desperately wanted to make love to her again, he would have to fight the urge. She was in no shape for his overly amorous affections. The way she sparked his libido ... Rynon could think of little else but taking her in every conceivable way.
Just thinking about her erotic moans, her deep sighs of longing, her harsh pants made him hard. He wanted her more than he'd ever wanted any other woman.
But he couldn't have her ... not yet.
* * * *
When Cat woke, she had no idea what time it was, no idea how long she'd been out. The curtains in Ryan's room had been drawn closed so that the only light that illuminated her immediate surroundings came from the lamp beside the bed. She groaned aloud, feeling as though every single inch of her had been beaten with a bat. And not the miniature one she'd used on Elaina.
She lifted her right hand and lightly fingered the bandage on her forehead. She winced slightly at the pain that shot straight to her brain. Her left arm was secured with a sling. She carefully wiggled her fingers and deduced that her arm wasn't broken; rather, her shoulder had been dislocated.
Christ. Seth had really done a number on her.
Thinking about the menacing look he'd given her and the horrible things he'd said to her made her cringe. And the way he'd flung her across the room, as though she'd meant absolutely nothing to him...
Cat choked back a sob. Tears welled in her eyes and her heart suddenly hurt. Seth had been everything to her. Since the day she'd met him, when she was nineteen, she had worshipped him. He'd promised to make her his protégée, and he had fulfilled that promise. He had helped her to become a huge succes
s in her field.
She had always felt indebted to him. Now she felt...
Used.
Deceived.
Betrayed.
Alone.
The tears flowed down her cheeks at the mere thought of what had become of her life, and the one relationship she'd trusted the most.
Seth Hilliard had lied to her. He'd lured her into his evil world by promising to make good use of her intelligence and teach her how to be successful.
Ryan had lied, too. He'd lured her into his dark, mysterious world just as Seth had done.
Both men had betrayed her.
Now she was at Ryan's mercy. She couldn't go back to Seth; that thought broke her heart, but she had to face the reality of the situation. Nor did she belong here. She couldn't possibly stay.
More tears streamed down her hot cheeks. Her heart felt as though it were being ripped from her chest. She felt alone and destitute.
Except ... she wasn't destitute. Cat had considerable means at her disposal. A bank account filled with money and several other investments she could liquidate. Even if she did turn out to be pregnant, Cat had enough money to get by. Granted, she wouldn't live in the lap of luxury, but then again, she never had, so what did it matter?
She didn't need to rely on Ryan and his legion of vampires. She could take care of herself.
But that would require escaping again. Something she wasn't quite up to at the moment. But when she recovered...
"Do you not think that he will guard your every move henceforth?"
The voice that filled the quiet room startled her. Cat sat up, then let out a small cry as pain rocked her battered body.
She fell back against the pile of plump pillows. “Who are you?” she demanded, albeit in a weak voice.
"My name is Darius. I am the Enlightened One."
"Great,” she muttered. “Another vampire, I presume?"
Darius appeared at the foot of her bed. He was tall and meticulously groomed. His dark hair was long and sleek; his chiseled features were handsome, though his eyes belied his age and wisdom. Cat surmised he'd been around for a long, long time.