by Jasmine Walt
“Not a drop.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Believe what you like. You do know how to accept a compliment, don’t you?”
She ignored this question. “You can see them? You can see this enhanced world around me? The world I can only see when a vampire has my blood in him?”
As fast as a strike from a cobra, he swiftly peeled off his glove, bringing his hand to her neck, pushing aside the earmuffs and coat to inspect. Appearing satisfied with what he saw, he moved his hand to the other side. “There’s no mark. Where did he get you? I’m going to kill the son of a bitch.”
Puzzled by his caring statement, she pushed his hand away. “Easy, it’s not like that. It’s a long story involving a truce. I gave him a weensy drop, that’s all. It turned on a light switch inside of me so I see and feel the world he sees and feels.”
Hung nodded, his handsome face pensive in the light of the moon sparkling along the snow. “Interesting.”
Feeling intimidated by the largeness of him looming over her, she got to her feet.
He did the same. He still loomed but she no longer felt small and helpless, like a child sitting innocently near the creek with her cup of hot cocoa. Now the hot beverage spread as a cold, damp spot on her jeans, soaking into her winter undergarment, fueling her sudden, pissy mood.
“What’s the real reason you came out here? Are you the owl?”
His eyebrows knit together. “The what?”
“Never mind. State your business, bounty hunter and be gone. You’re trespassing. This is my land.” And why, exactly are you talking so tough? The guy’s within reach, he’s acting all soft and squishy, he wants you, you want him…
“I see. We’re back to rough and tough, are we? That works. I actually like it more. It turns me on. Want to check?” His gaze flicked to his groin and back to her.
She glanced at the giant bulge. “No, thanks, I’ve got eyes. Doesn’t look all that interesting to me.”
His eyes narrowed while the corners of his mouth cocked upward slightly in a smile. “I see. Tough woman like you isn’t interested in sex…with me.”
Damn, damn, damn, she thought, as her panties moistened. She closed her eyes ever so briefly and opened them to see him smirking at her. “Your business?”
“Besides seducing you? I told you I might get bored waiting for the vamp to show. Thought I might check to see if she showed here. You know, see if she’s on a date with your roommate.” He grinned at her mockingly. “Doing what people do when they’re on a date.”
Kill him or kiss him? As usual, conflicting emotions swirled inside her, as annoying as her ghosts, which were now high overhead from what she could tell. “She’s not here. She’s away somewhere, or so my roomie said. And if you kill her, Hung, especially where my roommate sleeps, so help me God…”
“It’s important, woman. This is a big, big job.”
“Money isn’t everything.”
“True. But career advancement is. And this is my business, not yours.”
“It’s going to be everyone’s business if you kill the vamp! My roommate will go ballistic. You should see what he does when he’s merely doing practical jokes. Don’t think for a minute you’ll be safe from a vampire. Not even you with all your badass bounty hunter skills can defeat him.” She stepped away, feeling uncomfortably trapped between the fence post and his sexy body…the body she wanted…and really didn’t want to want.
“I’ll be long gone, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me.”
“Oh, thanks. Leave it for me to clean up. Nice.”
“It’s what you do so well…clean up after others.” He gave her a pointed glare, loaded with hidden meaning. “So, do you want to know the real reason I came out here?”
“Sure. Lay it on me.”
“Oh, don’t tempt me, woman.”
She blushed, realizing her faux pas. “Talk to me.”
“You’re in over your head.”
“What? You came out here to give me advice?” Her hands flew into the air, palms up.
“Think about it. You’re in a battle for power.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve had this job, what, maybe three years?”
“Yeah, so? I’ve made the town a better place. Done a good job.”
“You’ve made the town a better place for shifters. They’re like your pets. Everything you’ve done, all the rules and laws and ordinances you’ve put into place have been to protect them, am I right?”
“Yeah, but…”
“Yeah, but nothing, Chia. All you’ve done with your laws and foolish rules is set the stage for someone like Red to waltz in and assume real power. The shifters are lazy. Sure, some of them are good people, but they’re on vacation in your town.”
“How is that a bad thing? People love a good vacation.”
“They eat, they drink, they fuck…they sure as hell don’t have to worry about their survival, since you’ve made it so goddamned restrictive around here. They don’t have to watch their backs. An animal, even if it’s only part animal, needs survival skills. The world is not your personal zoo, love.” He swept his strong arm in a circle. “They’re like sitting ducks for Red and Dick. And since you’re the one who made all the laws, you’re the one who gets the blame when things start falling apart. And it’s only going to get worse.”
Coyote yips resounded, their gunshot-like sound blasting into Chia’s eardrums. Startled, she pressed her palms over her ears and closed her eyes, trying to ward off the auditory assault. Her hands were gently removed by Hung’s strong ones. She opened her eyes to see him inches from her face, clutching her wrists, staring into her eyes with a seductive, hypnotic gaze.
“It’s only going to get worse.” He repeated the words soft and low, like a caress. “Unless you make it better.”
Ignoring the double entendre, she said, “No, it won’t. I promised to resign in twenty-four hours…only now it’s more like half a day…if I don’t get results.”
“Foolish woman. You walked right into their trap. You’re merely handing them what they want.” Hung released one of her wrists and stroked the side of her face. “You don’t want to do that. I don’t want you to do that.”
“What’s wrong with the idea? I could hang out here, at my home.” She waved her one free hand at her surroundings. “I’ll work at the crab factory or the fish processing plant. I’ll learn pottery or dressage or permafrost gardening like my grandpa.”
“You’ll be miserable. You like being in charge. You like being in control. As much as I don’t like to admit it, I like you being in control. I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
“You sure you’re not drunk?” This true confessions side of Hung unnerved her. Here he stood, getting soft and mushy gushy with her, and instead of prompting desire, she felt unease and suspicion.
He slowly turned his head side to side, his gaze never leaving her face.
“Well, you’re not going to have me, anyway.” She dropped her eyes away from his soulful gaze.
“Think I won’t?” He dropped his head until he was so close she could see the fine lines around his eyes. His warm breath puffed against her face. He still held one of her wrists while his other hand caressed her cheek. “Make them work for it, Chia. Don’t simply hand over the reins to Red and Dick. They’re nothing but assholes.”
Chia swallowed. Licked her lips. “What should I do?” The words came out in a whisper.
“You don’t have to worry about Dick. He’s a manipulator. He uses people to his gain. You’re strong. You’re assertive. He’s no match for you.”
Chia puffed with pride.
“Red’s the aggressive dick. He’ll have no problem exploiting you for his own needs. He won’t even bat an eye to finish you off.”
“How do you know all this?” She wrenched her hand from his grip and pushed away his other hand from her face.
“What do I do for a living? I’m a professional hunter. I hunt. I
kill. I watch people. I observe. I’m an alpha,” he said, leaning toward her. “Top of the food chain. I need a strong woman, not a willing whore. I need a woman who matches me.”
Oh, Lord. I want him so badly. “I still don’t get why you’re telling me all this.”
“I’m offering some of my experienced wisdom. I want to give you a fair shake. I want to keep you around. You’re fun to spar with.”
“Seems to be my best asset. My roommate likes me because he can play his practical jokes and I, at least, retaliate. That and my ‘cuteness’ and sex appeal.” Chia rolled her eyes.
“You’ve got fire.” He took a step toward her. “But you and your rules have my hands tied around here. I’m going to be tried for crimes I didn’t commit. The shifters are pissed because Ruby ratted on me when you showed up. Setting off the alarm brought major attention to their ‘secret’ club. If you hadn’t shown up, all would be well. She’d be happy and satisfied, I’d have scratched my itch at least…” He paused, his gaze slicing through her. “If I can’t have you…”
Chia inhaled sharply, jealousy and arousal making her insides blaze.
“The only option left is to get my job done and get outta here. It’s got to be up to you to figure this out and it’s going to take way more than a day to accomplish. Buy some time. Do one thing tonight then beg for more time.”
She backed away. “Why don’t I demand it? Seems like that would be the stronger play.”
“Good plan.” He took another step.
“Why aren’t you glowing?” She glanced left and right, trying to plan an escape route.
“Excuse me?” Hung looked at her as if she were nuts.
“The world around me…enhanced by vamp…everything glows…even me.”
“Afraid I can’t answer that.” He stepped closer.
She stumbled into the arms of the carved bear fence post, trying to avoid the icy creek.
“Think about it. You’ve got me by the balls, woman. Besides being framed, I can’t take care of Red, according to you or I’ll be tried for murder. There’s no such thing as self-defense, so you’ve told me, which I think is bullshit. The entire state of Alaska lives by statute 11.81.335. Justification: Use of Deadly Force in Defense of Self…may use deadly force in self-defense upon another person when and to the extent the person reasonably believes the use of deadly force is necessary.”
“I had to make a change! People were killing shifters and calling it self-defense. It was nothing but bullshit. That’s what it was.”
Hung ignored her. “But, no…not Charming. Charming’s a protected space. It would be so easy to rid this world of Red Mountainbear, love.” He emphasized his point with strong fingers placed along her neck, gently palpating the vulnerable bridge between her shoulders and head. “But I’m doing my best to adhere to your rules.”
She inhaled, sharply, hypnotized by the man.
“You’ve got to up your game. Red’s aggressive. What can you do to best him?”
“I’ve got ideas.” She placed her hands on his chest, ready to shove if necessary.
“I’d like to hear about them,” he said, bringing his lips within kissing distance, maneuvering his hands until his fingers laced with hers, drawing her arms overhead, pinning her to the fence post. “Later…” He brushed his nose up and down her cheek. “But you might have to break a rule or two,” he said in a voice so damned seductive she nearly forgot her whereabouts.
Her mouth parted. Sure, she could duck under his arms, scoot out of the way, grab her gun and shoot him. Okay, maybe not…he’s got my hands in his vise grip clutches…again. Right at the moment, the kiss option appealed to her crazy, overactive hormones, holding sway over the kill option. “A smart woman never plays her whole hand,” she breathed.
“No?”
“Never. Not even when the big, strong male has come to save her, offering up thoughts she’s already considered.”
“I see,” he said against her mouth.
“Do you?” she breathed into his. Off in the distance she heard a rustle of bodies. They seemed to be racing along the snow in her direction. She heard faint barks and yips, and grumbling growls and glanced to see soft shimmers of apricot and lavender like tiny glowing seed puffs floating in her direction. Dog pack. Great. I can see the aura’s of the dogs. She extended the tip of her tongue, letting it slide along Hung’s luscious upper lip. She pushed her hips into his, feeling his hardness.
He brought his lips to hers in a crushing, consuming kiss.
Oh, sweet Jesus. She hummed into his mouth, overcome with sensation, staying tuned to the approaching canines. Are you telling me I’ve got the advantage over him? He can’t hear them? She sighed into his mouth as his tongue slid into hers. His solid chest pressed into her full breasts, making them ache. The dogs came closer, appearing like larger specks, their loping stride sounding more like horse hooves with her enhanced hearing. I don’t want to do this but I can’t let them see me kissing Hung Durand. She turned her head to break the kiss.
“Playing hard to get?” he smirked. Backing away from her slightly, he positioned one hand to secure her wrists and used the other to guide her jaw back toward hers.
“Not really. Playing another card, more like it,” she murmured. “Sorry.” She brought her knee to his groin in one swift, violent move.
He doubled in pain, wheezing. “You little bitch. What the hell?”
The dogs came loping into view, still yards away.
“Don’t you ever assume I’m weak or need answers, asshole,” she yelled at the top of her lungs, hoping the dogs would hear her. In the blink of an eye, she unsheathed her gun, pointing it at Hung’s folded over body. Damn, damn, damn, he’s never going to want me now, she thought, remorse making a quick appearance.
She fired the gun, aiming near his head, barely missing him as Hung quickly shifted into some kind of winged creature and weeble-wobbled into the sky, away from the pack.
So much for shifters not being able to shift under duress. That kick had to hurt his stiff, hard…. She almost groaned. So close!
The dogs increased their pace, the brown and white husky in the lead. Cecil burst into human form, sprinting toward her, concern evident on his face.
“Who was that? Hung Durand?” Cecil, naked of course, stood panting, trying to catch his breath while the other dogs jostled around him, tongues lolling, heaving from their exertions.
“Yeah.” She spit the taste of him into the snow in a show of toughness. “Jackass was snooping around my property. I showed him.”
“Are you all right, lil’ Summer?” His eyes scanned her face.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I’m fine, dawg-man. Is it time to rest already? So soon? I didn’t put out your signpost.”
“No, nothing like that. It’s barely eight. We came out to tell you we found Red’s den. His hideout. We’ve got to move like stealth dogs. Grab your cross-country skis. Get them. Go!”
Chia turned and ran toward the barn.
When she returned, skis and boots in place, gliding effortlessly along the snow, backpack on her back, she asked, “Where to?”
“We’re headed for that hill way over there.” Cecil studied her. “What’s in the backpack?”
“Snow shoes in case the terrain gets rough.”
“Good call. Do you have any kind of halter or rope? I’m thinking of pulling you so you can keep up with the pack. We’re fast.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty fast on these skis.”
“Lil’ Summer, please get a halter. It’s called skijoring. It’s a known sport.” He told her as if patiently explaining something to a stupid or slow person. “Top speed of the pack is about forty five miles per hour. Of course, I’ll slow having to pull you but I think I can still pull you faster than you can ski. And together?” He whistled. “We’ll ride the winds.”
“Okay, okay, be right back.” Chia slid back to the barn, removed her ski boots, and rummaged around for an old halter her grandpa used when
plowing fields with his donkey. He’d developed a method for thawing the frozen soil, clearing and nourishing each field with manure, composted tundra and a “slurry” of salmon, some creek water, and a small amount of other ingredients to “increase biological life.”
He grew greens and root vegetables in raised beds amidst endless protests that he couldn’t do it. Not only did he do it, the entire town partook of his bounty. Not possessing a green thumb, Chia hadn’t been able to keep up the tradition. Still, she was proud of the kind of stock she came from. Her people gave back to the community. She carried the tradition in her own way.
She grabbed the halter and hustled back to the pack. Cecil had already shifted to husky. He threw back his head and made some sort of rumbling bark which Chia interpreted as, “Saddle me up, lil’ Summer and let’s go!” She fastened the halter around him, making it as small as she could, grabbed the reins, stood tall, and said, “Mush.” Almost jerked from her balance as Cecil found his rhythm, she began to glide across the plains, leading to the hills….leading to the place her enemy—one of them, at least—hid…on her land.
That thought alone nearly made her cupcake-frosted hair burst into flames. She would not, could not let the presence of the man who wanted her job, who wanted the shifters gone, who wanted Hung Durand, sully the land she treasured.
13
The sky spit sleet as she joggled over the snow, as if sent as a deterrent. It stung her eyes, making her wish she’d brought ski goggles. It also tended to blur the light show around her, which seemed helpful for the task at hand…namely, keeping her wits about her, keeping grip of the leather halter, and trying to keep track of where they were headed.
They traversed several miles until Chia felt so chilled, she’d bet her life her blood moved through her ice-cold veins like a Slurpee. She’d bundled in her usual winter attire, from high tech undergarments, to tried and true outerwear, layer by layer, head to toe. The weather, though, had turned frightful, making her wonder if it were infused with magic. She’d been so busy she hadn’t had a chance to look into the history and use of magic in these regions. Perhaps another law would need to be implemented on its use and practice.