by Jackie Ivie
Akron answered. “Not entirely, Nigel. I know of a beautiful island you could buy. If it is discovered, listed, and placed on the market. Which is a likely event at the moment.”
“Really? Where?”
“Micronesia, of course.”
“Really? Doing a search of the area...”
“Nigel. Stop. I meant the island that Tane lives on. And what will happen if he fails to follow my instruction.”
“Oh. Well, crap. That’s completely unfair. I’d have to bid against him for it. And I don’t have his bank accounts.”
Akron sighed heavily. “I really do enjoy your company, Nigel. It’s so...refreshing. And entertaining. But, you are both wrong. We don’t have to alter the current situation.”
“We don’t?” Nigel asked. Tane remained silent.
“Katherine will have to be returned to her camp. And let go. Few men have the strength of will for this. I believe you do, Tane. It will feel like cutting your own heart out. Trust me. I know.”
“I think he should just take her to a palace. Let the island get discovered. And let me buy it.”
“Tane?”
He grunted something they could take for agreement. Or rebuttal.
“Buck up. Both of you. I wouldn’t have called to medd—ahem. I mean manipulate events if I didn’t have a solution.”
“You have a solution? And he can be with his mate?”
“Katherine Clark has a very large exhibit planned next Saturday. In New York. Yes. Check it, Nigel. Am I right?”
“Um. Yeah. I am doing an internet search...but how the heck did you know that, too?”
“Later, Nigel. For the moment, we need to schedule a flight for Tane. And he’ll need to...adjust his wardrobe slightly.”
“Where’s he going?”
Akron sighed again. “I try to be so obvious. I don’t know where I fail. I really don’t.”
“What?”
“Disappearing in New York can be a life choice, Nigel. With the appropriate notice to the post office and some other minor correspondence, it might not be considered a missing persons case at all.”
“Oh! Yes! I knew you had it in you, Sir! You need to get to Pohnpei, Tane. I’ll have a private plane there in...two days? What the heck? It can’t take that long. What is wrong with the air service over there?”
“He has time, Nigel. You have this handled, then? I can leave it in your hands?”
“On it!”
There was a click. Tane assumed Akron had disconnected. The assumption was borne out as Nigel started speaking in a rapid-fire manner.
“You’ll need a tux, Tane. And everything that goes with it. Scheduling a tailor now! I’ll put you up at...oh. Let’s see. You’ll need a suite booked at the...never mind! I’ll handle all of this. You just get your mate back to her camp. I’ll be in touch.”
And with that, the line went dead.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Miss Clark! Miss Clark! Are you there?”
Noise blared through her head. Loud. Boisterous. It was followed by a blinding amount of light that sent spears of fire through each eye.
“Miss Clark!”
“What?”
Kat yelled it and lifted the front of her sleeping bag over her head. Her ears throbbed with the volume she’d used. Or something equally impossible.
Like her presence here.
The last thing she remembered was being with Tane. His blue eyes had been so warm. So loving! He’d held her close as he’d entered a different cave room than before. Smaller. Much more cozy. He’d placed her in a bed – a real one, and then covered her with a comforter. He’d whispered of love and devotion and forever companionship...
“Oh, good! You are alive! I was a mite worried.”
“Who are you? And what do you want?”
Kat tilted her head toward the top of her bag to yell it. She didn’t feel her knife holder on her chest, or she’d have slipped a blade out. Maybe two of them. Without them, she’d have to use an elbow to the interloper’s windpipe. Thumbs into his eye sockets. A perfectly aimed knee to his groin. Or something as equally devastating. Because you didn’t accost a lone female in her camp with a bazillion-watt searchlight beam and expect to come out unscathed.
“Whoa! No need to take my head off! I’m Frank. From the mainland.”
“Who?”
“Your pilot!”
“Aren’t you supposed to come tomorrow? At least...wait for morning!”
“It’s midday. And we’ve got a bright sunny day for a change! Excellent flying weather.”
“No way. That’s...the sun?”
“Yep. Hard to remember what it looks like with the rainfall we’ve been experiencing, but it’s out today! In full splendor! You...awake, then?”
Of course not, Frank. I’m talking in my sleep.
Kat almost giggled at the withheld retort. The urge instantly died. A wash of emotion surged up her throat. Her eyes filled with tears. It wasn’t possible. Not unless he’d guessed the reason for her fall. Knew she’d tried to escape. And this was a demonstration of the depth of his regard. He’d given her freedom.
Tane!
She should have told him. Last night when he’d cradled her close, held her to his heart. Whispered words just for her. She should have said it then! It didn’t matter how insane his world was, she wanted to stay in it! Because she loved him!
Kat pressed her hands to her eyes and shuddered through a wave of sobs. Swallowed over and over to kill any sound. This was ridiculous. Embarrassing. Feeling anything was beyond stupid. It was obscene. She mentally castigated herself but it didn’t help. She felt like she’d lost something infinitely special.
Because she had.
“Do you need some help? Maybe a hand with packing up? I mean, I’m available, but it’ll cost extra.”
Kat pulled in a breath. Held it. Trembled the entire time. Eased the air back out. “Um. N-no.”
“Fine. Suit yourself. I’ll just take a nap while you pack up then.”
“I’m not going.”
Despite the physical impossibility, at the words a spark of hope lit deep within her heart. It flickered. She could actually feel it.
“You’re staying?” Frank asked.
Oh, yes.
She was going to get back to the ancient wall, climb it, and locate one of Tane’s tree houses, despite how well-camouflaged they were. It shouldn’t be a problem with her enhanced vision. And then she was going to reach that tree house, no matter what. There had to be some way to get Tane’s attention from there. She might even try giving a mating call.
Kat swabbed at her eyes with the sleeping bag. It was manufactured of rugged material. Great for absorbing moisture. It worked.
“Well. Well. Listen to this. You’re already gonna be a legend. Might as well add to it.”
“Excuse me?”
“You survived almost a week out here. By yourself. You didn’t disappear. I haven’t seen you, but you sound fine. And now, you don’t want to leave? Well, heck. I might be able to make this a full-time gig.”
“A full-time gig? At what?”
“Transportation can be big business...if there’s a market. Starting with you. You’ll need more supplies. And more cash. For my fee. Let me think about this.”
Oh. Snap.
There were over seven billion people on the planet, most congregated in cities. Kat rented a flat in New York. Not by herself. The rent was astronomical. She had two roommates. She only needed it for a home base. She wasn’t fond of cities. She wasn’t fond of crowds. Sending even a fraction of the world’s population to this island paradise sounded like complete desecration.
And it would be her fault.
She sat with alacrity. The sleeping bag gapped open and slid off her shoulders. And sunlight hurt like hell. Kat groped for her personal bag. She always carried necessities in a worn leather satchel. Toiletries. Feminine hygiene. Change of clothing. Sunglasses. Floppy hat. She found the glasses by feel. The dark lenses eased the sun’
s effect, but didn’t entirely cancel it. The light was still beyond bright, and burned her eyes if she didn’t keep them narrowed. A quick check showed she was dressed in her field attire. Nothing was wrinkled. She even had on her boots on her feet. She could feel them.
“No. No, Frank. It’s nothing like that. I just...haven’t finished my work. I’ll need more time.”
“You didn’t get any photos, then?”
Kat glanced about the interior of her dome tent, wincing as the light pained. There wasn’t any space that wasn’t in use. Her field camera was missing. She knew just where it was – at the base of the ruined wall. She wondered if Frank would wait while she got it. The photos it contained would be the crowning achievement at her exhibit.
But they’d also bring notice to the island.
And even more crowds than Frank imagined.
Kat closed her eyes for a moment. Made her decision. “Um. No. I didn’t find the bird I searched for...if that’s what you’re asking,” Kat lied.
“What a shame.”
Kat finger-combed her hair into a ponytail and secured it with a band from the bag. “Hey, Frank. I’ve got a function in New York to attend, but I’ll return. Will you be available to bring me back out here?”
“Next week? Next month? What are we talking? I mean...I might be busy. The price would reflect that.”
Kat rolled her eyes. Frank was probably adding to his fee as they spoke. But what did she care? The tiny flame of hope was still there. She could feel it. Entrenched in her heart, pumping out warmth.
“Two weeks, max. I think my camp will be fine.”
“Want me to check on it for you? I mean I can do it, but it’ll cost.”
“Oh. I think it’ll be fine. This island is...uninhabited, you know. What could possibly happen?”
Kat pulled a pair of panties from the line where they’d been hanging to dry, placed them in the bag, and then shoved the hat onto her head.
And she was ready.
Frank and his plane were just as un-groomed, uncouth and uncivilized as before. Except for being in a week of rain showers, Kat hadn’t bathed. She thought she might smell, but there wasn’t any competition with Frank. Her enhanced sense of smell added to her vision problem, giving her a massive headache before they reached Kolonia, the capital of Pohnpei. She was going to have to find another pilot before her return plane trip out to Tane’s island. She’d put out notice while she was gone. She got a ride to the Village Hotel. Enjoyed a long shower, and hid under the covers until sunset.
The flight to Guam was a long one. Felt like eternity had passed before they finally touched down in Hawaii. She’d booked her tickets in advance. Checked in online. Didn’t have any luggage. She was still offered a cash incentive and a later flight in Guam if she’d give up her seat to Hawaii.
Not a chance.
She had a lot to do. She had to get to New York. Reach her flat. Make sure her cocktail dress was back from the dry cleaners. File a change of address.
To where, Kat?
She could rent a PO Box somewhere. Send her mail there. But that would require time waiting in a line or online. She could just file a temporary hold. Worry about her final address later. Then she’d give her roommate the required 60-day notice for vacating. Make sure there was enough in her account to cover rent deductions. Pay off any balances on her cards. Give any excess clothing to charity. She wouldn’t need much. The island had a very temperate climate.
It wasn’t until the lights of Honolulu came into sight that she realized she might be preparing to change her entire life over an emotion, but she hadn’t completely changed. She was still Katherine Clark, the woman who’d been called a cyborg. She still listed things, but now it was a mental exercise. That would come in handy. Paper wouldn’t hold up in a humid climate.
She didn’t look at anything from her prior, reality-based perspective. It was like she’d been reborn. It didn’t matter if what she planned was beyond insane. She didn’t even consider it. Because she was in love!
With a vampire.
CHAPTER TWELVE
She wasn’t there.
Tane stood in an alcove, shadowed. Intent. Silent. By his watch, he’d only been here six minutes. It had been enough time to check every bit of the gallery. But he was early. He needed to practice patience.
Patience?
When every bit of him was tense with excitement? Alive with emotion? On edge with thrill? The last thing he felt was patient! Tane wondered what would happen if he ripped the tuxedo off, gave a huge howl, and started prowling for her like he wanted.
The thought was almost amusing.
The gallery was a multi-level establishment. Mostly white. Extremely spacious. Partitions intersected the space, making it impossible to find a good vantage regardless of which level he gained. The ceiling was as high as his cave, making the attendees look small. The area was filled with people, each seeming to out-vie the next in appearance. There was a lot of jewel-covered skin being displayed. And every gentleman wore a tux. Waiters in white suits walked about proffering trays that held champagne flutes or hors d’oeuvre. An orchestra played softly in the background.
Tane was doing his best to go unnoticed. It wasn’t working. In his quest to find Katherine, he intersected all sorts of glances. Some of them caused him to flush. Again. He felt like a foreigner in a strange land. And all of that was Nigel’s fault.
It had started the moment he’d exited the limo this morning. The staff at his hotel appeared to be well-versed in eccentric guests. Nobody at the front desk had lifted an eyebrow when he’d arrived and checked in at three a.m. Without luggage. They didn’t look askance at his baggy denim pants and ill-fitting pullover when they gave him his room card. He didn’t have another clothing option. It had been a long flight. He’d rested when he could. Showered. Found something to wear that belonged to one of the twins, whoever they were. Tane didn’t know. He didn’t care. Apparently the Icelandic twins were large vampires. They had him by a good two inches on height, and several inches in muscle. Didn’t matter. He was clothed. He should have taken time to pack before he’d left, but hindsight was always 20/20.
He’d done what had to be done. Kat had been delivered to her camp. She hadn’t felt the kiss he’d placed to her forehead. She hadn’t noted that he left. Akron was right. It was akin to ripping out his heart. Tane’s chest had turned into a huge pit of pain. The world had looked especially bleak. He’d actually gone back. Three times.
And somehow he’d existed through four days to get back to her. And she still wasn’t here.
Where the heck could she be?
This was her show. She had to attend! New York was a labyrinth of steel, glass, concrete...and it teemed with humanity. If she didn’t attend, how was he to find her? And...if he needed to do so, he wanted to start now! Not stand around, wasting time watching people as they socialized. Occasionally discussed a photograph. Sipped at their champagne. Nibbled on appetizers. Lifted their heads occasionally to laugh, showing off long, blood-filled throats.
Hmm.
Tane’s fangs tingled at the thought. He sucked on them absently. Forced them back. Could something have happened to her? An accident? Humans were so fragile, even half-turned ones. His heart stopped. He took a deep breath to restart it. The back of his shirt pulled tight at the motion, demonstrating how closely the tailors had fit it, which was exactly what they’d wanted.
Nigel had booked their most expensive suite for Tane. Called an Inferno Suite. It took up the entire top floor of the hotel. That hadn’t even created comment with the front desk, not until he walked around the corner, anyway. He heard the whispers. One of the night clerks had remarked how she sure wished she was “room service right about now because this guest needed his bed turned down,” and the others had giggled.
Well. If his arrival created comment, the desk clerks had probably been agog over the appearance of four tailors from the Carlotti menswear firm being accompanied by one of the Carlotti owne
rs, himself. They’d arrived at four a.m. On the dot. That was followed by hours of measurement taking, fabric swatch selection, evaluating and adjusting the length of creasing atop his shoe called break, and something he’d never heard of or considered. Balance. That was the term for the adjustment of front and back length on a jacket due to – in Tane’s case – a supremely muscular physique. The tailors reminded him of bees in a hive. Busy. Constantly moving. While their boss watched and occasionally commented. Tane hadn’t said anything. He’d been too busy controlling a flush...and his fangs. There had been a lot of sustenance before him. They had no idea how temping it was.
But that was before the salon firm arrived for him this evening. Just after the sun had gone down. Again. Courtesy of Nigel.
Men’s grooming had certainly changed, as had the practitioners of the craft. Two women had been sent to his suite, along with two men. Neither man had acted in what Tane considered a masculine manner. They’d be in trouble on his island, captured the moment they were seen, slated for sacrifice. Their expertise was evident, however. So, Tane had endured a pedicure, manicure, haircut, and styling, none of which would be in evidence when he next woke. He’d given silent thanks that due to his mother’s heritage he didn’t grow much body hair. Otherwise, he’d have been waxed with the heated preparation they’d set up. Somebody would have paid for that. With blood.
Hmm.
Katherine still hadn’t arrived.
Tane absently lifted his arm to view his watch. The fabric about his bicep pinched at the movement. Formal menswear was tight and restrictive nowadays. This suit had been crafted to his exact frame. It was snug if he just stood in it. Extreme movement was going to rip something. And only four minutes had passed.
Patience, Tane...
Patience. Didn’t that mean endurance? Tolerance? Lack of complaint while one waited for something? Well. Patience needed a new description! This wasn’t serenity. It was gut-ripping frustration. Tane took a deep breath that held anger. The shirt gripped about him like bondage. And then something happened over at the entrance. The crowd had stirred, started moving that direction. Phones got lifted as people took pictures, got video. He saw a cadre of dark-clothed men. Large men. With a smaller person between them.