Fallen Prey: A Fallen Cross Legion Novel (The Fallen Cross Legion Book 1)

by Aliya DalRae

  The two were right below her now, and Kythryn held her breath as she leaned over a bit to try and get a better look at her assailants. The wind shifted, and she allowed herself a tiny breath to catch their scent—Vampire, for sure, but these two smelled a bit like burnt cabbage. One had the sense to look up, and Kythryn froze. She’d never seen eyes like that, the color of rotten pumpkin. What the hell were they?

  The whiney one shuffled off to the west, mumbling about how much trouble they were going to be in, and the other one followed. Kythryn waited until they were out of earshot, then tore off in the opposite direction, using the forest’s thick canopy as a path.

  She jumped from branch to branch as silently as she could, doing her best to blend the noise of her escape with the usual woodland sounds. A small growl rumbled in her throat when she misjudged a particular limb’s weight-bearing capacity. She dug her claws in the soft wood while her body swung loose, her tail twitching in the air. She felt like a real-life example of that “Hang in there baby, Friday’s coming” poster her dad had hanging in the bathroom. Once she was certain they hadn’t seen her, she swung her back legs up and inched her way to a more stable branch, then ran through the treetops once more.

  It took the better part of an hour for her to reach her destination—the yard behind her Overlord’s home. Even then, she waited another twenty minutes to be sure the squirrely Vampires hadn’t been able to track her. Once confident it was safe, she dashed through the yard and straight through Leonard Brandt’s cat flap, courtesies and protocol be damned.

  Brandt spun around at the sound of her slip-sliding across the hardwood floor. His eyes widened as she scooted to a stop at his feet and he leaned over to look her in the eye.

  “Kythryn? Is that you?”

  Kythryn didn’t hesitate. She initiated the change and, once human, grabbed her Overlord’s arm as she gasped for air. “Help me, Mr. Brandt. They’re trying to kill me.”

  Chapter Three

  H arrier focused on the sound of shoes meeting rubber as the treadmill’s belt flew beneath his feet.

  He stood in the parking lot for a full two minutes after Kythryn had taken her leave of him, frozen by that baffling remark. There was no doubt, that little cat’s main goal in life was to irritate him at best, keep him guessing at a minimum. So far, she was doing a bang-up job of both.

  Once he dropped the food off to Rachel and the kids (#BestUncleEVER), he returned to his suite, unable to shake the image that Kitty’s foul mouth had conjured. With his stomach in unnatural knots, he left his portion of the meal for the kids to split and replaced it with a nice, calming shot of Cuervo Gold. The tequila burned through him quickly and with no lasting effect, so he decided to run off his frustrations in the Club.

  Which was where he was now, with the machine set on fifteen, maximum incline, and a river of sweat coursing over his body.

  It wasn’t working.

  What was it about that damned cat that had him so out of sorts? Feelings he hadn’t experienced for centuries, emotions he’d exorcised from his life, assaulted him every time he was in her presence. He’d locked those memories away, almost as completely as if Nox had used his unique mind-bending talents to erase them from existence. But now, one chance meeting, and they all came rushing back.

  And he didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  Once upon a time, there had been another girl, a beauty of noble birth who had shown him what it meant to be alive. Unlike Kitty, she was class and elegance, grace personified, and she had loved him.

  Harrier shook the sweat from his brow, and cranked the level up another notch, pushing himself physically to try and erase the mental torture those memories evoked. Another level, and another, until he’d maxed that mother out, and still, that face haunted him.

  With a roar of frustration, he bashed the control panel, and the belt came to a stuttering stop. Channeling the Warrior, Raven, from a few months ago when the male’s internal beast was out of control, Harrier moved to a heavy bag. He punched and kicked until the thing burst at its seams. As the bag deflated, he did the same, the dusty fountain leaking from the bag a metaphoric reflection of his own emotions piling at his feet.

  Somewhere a phone was ringing. He came back to himself as the ringtone registered. Soul Sister, by Train. Rachel.

  Harrier turned his back on the pile of heavy bag innards and discarded feelings, and he pulled himself into the present. Looking backward never did him any good. Besides, his family was calling.

  Chapter Four

  “W ho’s trying to kill you?”

  Kythryn cocooned herself in the blanket Brandt proffered. Her hands were shaking so bad she nearly dropped it several times on her way to the Overlord’s sofa. Brandt sat beside her and rubbed her back. She understood the gesture, appreciated the effort, but the pressure on her healing bruises was excruciating.

  “I don’t know,” she said. An exaggerated wince let the Overlord know he could stop with the comforting. Thank God, he got the message. “They were waiting for me at the house and…Dad!”

  Brandt held up a finger and stood to retrieve his cell phone.

  “Seamus?” he said after a brief pause. “She’s all right. She’s here with me. Yes, she was just telling me about it. No, I think it would be best if you locked the doors and waited to hear back from me. I’ll have someone bring her home as soon as she’s feeling up to it. Of course.” Brandt held the phone out to Kythryn and said, “He’d like to speak with you.”

  “Daddy?” Kythryn felt tears prickling her eyes and her throat burned at the sound of her father’s voice.

  “Kythryn, baby girl, you okay? I saw the mess in the yard, and you nowhere to be found. I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I know, Daddy, but I’m fine.”

  “You don’t sound fine. I’m on my way…”

  “No, Daddy, Mr. Brandt’s right. You stay there. I don’t know if they’re still out there waiting for me, and I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

  “But…”

  “Please, Daddy. Please, just lock the doors and stay safe. The Overlord will protect me.”

  There was a long moment of silence before her father replied. Kythryn could hear him swallow, and knew he was fighting the same tears, the same fears, that she fought. Since her sister, Anna, died, Kythryn and Seamus were all the family each other had left. Should anything happen to either of them, the other would end up lost and alone.

  Finally, he answered. “Fine. But you take care, and come home to me as soon as you can. I love you.”

  And that did it. The dam that held her emotions at bay broke all to hell, and tears ran down her cheeks. “I love you, too, Daddy,” she choked, and handed the phone back to Brandt.

  “I’ve got her, Seamus,” the Overlord said. “I’m sending some of the boys over to check out your property and when it’s safe I’ll have her escorted home. Of course. That’s what I’m here for.”

  Brandt made a couple more calls, then set the phone on the coffee table and returned to the sofa. Kythryn tensed up as he sat, but relaxed again when it became clear he wouldn’t be patting her contusions again.

  “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Something stronger?”

  “No, sir,” she said. “But thanks.”

  “Who did this to you, Kythryn. You said they were Vampires, but I can’t see them coming after you. We have an agreement and I’ve been assured you wouldn’t be held responsible for what transpired during the Vindicta ritual.” He held up a finger when she started to protest. “I will follow up with Mason about that, of course, but could you be mistaken?”

  Kythryn shrugged, causing the blanket to slide down and expose her shoulder. She pulled it back into place, then wiped her eyes on it to clear away the tears. “I know they were smelly, worse than most Vampires, and they both had ugly orange eyes…”

  Brandt hissed and Kythryn looked up at him. “What?”

  “Ferals.”

  “Really? I never k
new they smelled like burnt cabbage. Course, I’ve never seen one before either, heard the stories, sure, which, by the way, do not do the orange eye thing justice. I always thought they would be like orange jelly beans, but these were gross, more like…”

  “Kythryn.”

  “Huh?”

  “Trust me, they were ferals. Now I definitely need to talk to Mason.”

  Kythryn sighed. The last thing she wanted was to get the Vampires involved. Filching some nuggets from Harrier was one thing. Being back in the Legion’s crosshairs was something altogether different. She’d had enough exposure to them during last February’s debacle to last a lifetime. Which reminded her…

  “There’s one more thing.”

  Brandt had retrieved his phone again and was scrolling through his contacts, but he stopped when she spoke. “Yes?”

  The terror she felt at hearing that name again resurrected itself, twisting her belly into a dozen pretzels as her heart decided to try for a new speed record. Brandt was watching her, his cell phone hand suspended in the air as he awaited her response. She tucked away the fear and gave it to him straight.

  “I think Ulrich Fuhrmann is back.”

  Chapter Five

  R achel walked barefoot across the deck, and leaned against the railing. The wood was rough beneath her fingers, but she found its texture soothing. She wore black yoga pants, and a light sweatshirt. A refreshing breeze sifted through the forest surrounding the Legion manse that housed not only the Warriors based at the Fallen Cross Compound, but herself and the twins she’d adopted as well.

  After devouring everything Harrier had brought them from the Polar King, the children had insisted on calling to thank him. He seemed off to her when he answered, but once she passed the phone to Phire, the girl’s excited chatter led Rachel to believe she’d been mistaken. Talon’s conversation was equally animated.

  And yet, when the children retired to their rooms, their bellies full of burgers and hearts full of love for their uncle, that feeling returned. She dropped her shields for a moment, that layer of mental protection that kept unwanted emotions from passing between loved ones through the familial bond, and she searched for her brother.

  It had been faint before, but she hadn’t imagined it. Something was bothering Harrier, and he was working hard to keep it buried. Now, however, as she stood on the deck, she felt joy coursing through their bond, and this was even more confusing than his sadness. Her brother was a puzzle, always had been, and she loved him with all her heart. However, joy wasn’t something she normally associated with the male.

  Rachel wrapped her arms around her middle as the breeze kicked up, lifting her fiery hair from her shoulders in a sudden gust that made the forest dance in the moonlight. It reminded her of Scotland, though centuries had passed since she’d visited her homeland. She imagined things would be quite different now, doubted she’d recognize it at all.

  “There’s a massive owl flying around, big enough it could pluck the eyes from an unsuspecting Vampire should it take a notion.”

  The warning emanated from the shadows in a proper British accent. Rachel yelped and clutched at her throat as the rich baritone turned to laughter.

  She spun around to find Nox watching her from a chaise lounge near the house. His jeans-clad legs lay stretched in front of him, his bulging arms resting behind his head, forming a pillow for all those long, dark curls. She could scarcely make out the patch covering his left eye.

  “Nox. You startled me.”

  “I see that,” he said as he stood and stretched, giving the tight t-shirt he wore a stress test that made her blink. “Sorry,” he added as he joined her. He folded his arms on the top rail and stared out into the night.

  Out of nowhere, a huge owl appeared and buzzed the pair. It had russet feathers and bright gold eyes, and it screeched as it passed. When it soared by a second time, she understood her brother’s joy. Forgetting the Vampire next to her, she clapped her hands together and laughed, letting Harrier’s elation infuse her and mingle with her own. It had been entirely too long.

  Beside her, Nox frowned. “It’s not right,” he said. “Why isn’t it off hunting vermin or something?” The owl flew by again, this time nearly clipping Nox with a wing before flying off. Nox threw a protective arm over his face as he jumped back and swore, which made Rachel laugh harder.

  “You’re not right either,” Nox said. “Doesn’t that bother you? And why isn’t it afraid of us? It’s not natural.”

  Rachel’s laughter died, but she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. Almost to herself she said, “He’s never been afraid of anything in his whole life. I sincerely doubt he’ll start now, and certainly not for the likes of us.” She looked up at Nox, who raised the brow over his good eye. “That’s my brother.”

  “Excuse me?” Rachel didn’t think that aristocratic brow could get any higher, but she was wrong.

  “Harrier. My brother?” She pointed out into the sky as the owl did another flyby, tilting his wings as he soared past.

  Nox shook his head. “Are you saying Harrier is an owl?”

  Rachel laughed at the twist of confusion on Nox’s face. “Tonight, he is. You didn’t know?” When Nox simply stared at her she said, “He’s half avian Shifter. He used to turn into this owl when we were children. It’s always been my favorite.”

  “Does that mean you…?”

  Rachel giggled. “No, his father was a Shifter. Mine was all Vampire. We share the same mother, though I use the term loosely.” Rachel pushed away the negativity the thought of that particular female inevitably brought and searched the skies again for the giant owl.

  Nox leaned against the railing again. “Who knew?”

  “I’m sure the Warriors all do, but doubt it’s common knowledge among the Soldiers. It’s always been a bit of a sore spot for Harrier. It’s my favorite part of him, though. I know when he’s flying, he’s truly happy. It’s been so long, I’d forgotten.”

  The two stood quietly for a while, watching Harrier perform aerial acrobatics as the wind kicked through the trees.

  After a long moment, Nox spoke. “Thank you.”

  It was so faint, Rachel wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly, thought perhaps it was a trick of the wind. When she didn’t respond, he said, “I never thanked you for giving me your blood after the Vindicta ceremony, for saving my life.”

  “Oh, that.” She felt her cheeks warm. Considering his reaction at the time, this was quite unexpected.

  “Yeah,” he said, “I wasn’t very appreciative, and I apologize for that. I am grateful, truly.”

  Rachel turned to him, appraising his profile as he watched her brother fly. “How are you then?”

  Nox shrugged. “Good, I suppose. The doc says the socket has healed well and the infection hasn’t recurred. He’ll be fitting me with a glass eye soon.”

  “No more eye patch, then?” Rachel smiled at the new one Nox was sporting, black leather with scrolling initials burned into it. VP. “So, what exactly is it that you’re vice president of?” she asked.

  He looked at her then, returning her smile with a playful one of his own. “Not vice president. Vampire Pirate.” He waggled his eyebrows and she burst out laughing. Nox shook his head. “That Viper has an odd sense of humor,” he said, referring to the Legion’s weapons specialist and all-around craftsman.

  Rachel patted his hand and chose to ignore the way he flinched when their skin touched. She returned her hand to the railing and said, “I’m glad you’re doing well.”

  Nox shrugged and things once again grew quiet between them.

  Chapter Six

  H arrier kept a close watch on his sister, not trusting Raven’s twin one inch after the way he’d treated her. Things seemed calm between the two now, but he wouldn’t put it past Nox to do or say something to upset Rachel again. As far as he knew, they weren’t even on speaking terms, so he would damn sure keep an eye on things, just in case.

  After Rachel and the kid
s called to thank him again for their dinner, he’d not been able to shake off the mood his encounter with Kitty had tossed him into. The workout had done nothing to soothe his temper, and well, desperate times.

  He couldn’t remember the last time he’d shifted for the sheer joy of it. In fact, it had been almost a year since he’d shifted for any reason at all. That was when his niece, Jessica, had been in trouble. He’d taken the form of a raven to distract the elder Sorcerer, Helmut Fuhrmann, long enough for Jess and her Vampire mate, Raven, to escape. He’d liked the irony of his choice of form, but it had apparently flown right over their heads, literally.

  Tonight, though, it was the only thing he could think of that might settle his mind. He’d loved to fly, long ago, had spent much of his time in the form of some bird or another for survival purposes. This one, though, had always made his sisters happy, so it was this form he chose tonight.

  He’d been thinking about Rachel and Rebecca when the former walked onto the deck. He’d wanted to warn her about Nox, but the male spoke before he had the chance.

  Now, it seemed they’d finished their talking, as the two stood at the railing and watched him fly. Harrier wasn’t particularly thrilled that Rachel had shared this part of him with Nox. Not that it was a well-kept secret, but still, it had ruffled his feathers a bit, so to speak.

  When Nox said good-bye and returned to the house, Harrier flew down to the deck and initiated the change.

  Rachel waited until he had pulled on his sweats before throwing her arms around him. “It was so good to see Rusty again! I can’t tell you how I’ve missed him.”

  Harrier blew out a long, relaxed breath and winked at his sister. “It was good to be Rusty again. Made me think of Rebecca, though. And you, of course. How the three of us would sneak out and play while our mother was off regaining her social standing.”