Faith pulled up a visitor chair and sat. “Are you sure she hasn’t had any odd visitors?” None of this was making sense.
“Not that I know of and nobody signed in,” Jordy said, walking toward the door in fresh tennis shoes. “I checked after you called.” He patted her shoulder and kept striding for the hall. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes to hear all about your kidnapping.”
Faith nodded and reached for her sister’s hand. All of this crazy immortal stuff might explain why Grace’s body was still healthy and hadn’t lost muscle tone. If Faith was Enhanced, maybe Grace was too? “Gracie? Can you hear me?”
Nothing.
She tightened her hold. “If you can hear me, please squeeze my hand.”
Nothing happened.
She sighed and closed her eyes, trying to enter Grace’s consciousness. “Gracie?”
Nothing. Inside Grace’s mind, there was no place to settle. These things took a lot of time. But still. Grace had tracked with her eyes. That was huge. How did it happen? Ronan had said he couldn’t save Grace, so it hadn’t been him. But should Faith have brought him anyway? Would he have come, or would he have just kidnapped her? She couldn’t take the chance.
“Grace?” she whispered again, trying harder, her mind spinning. There had to be an explanation for all of this.
As usual, her sister didn’t respond. Faith lowered her head to the bed and closed her eyes. For some reason, she remembered another time Grace had gone silent.
It was the first day of junior high, and Grace was only twelve. Her long brown hair curled around her shoulders, and her greenish-brown eyes had been serious. They’d had to move to live with an elderly aunt just the month before because their parents had died. The school in Denver was much bigger than the one they’d attended in Iowa. She hadn’t talked all day and that was weird for Grace.
“What’s going on?” Faith asked, looking up at the imposing brick building. The high school was just around the corner, and she had to get going for her first day there. “Grace?”
“What if they don’t like me?” Grace whispered.
Faith held her hand and leaned in until their foreheads touched. “Who are we?”
Grace snorted. “The Cooper girls.”
“That’s right.” Faith had rocks in her stomach for both of them. What if the kids at the high school didn’t like her? She was seventeen and totally alone. But Grace came first. “Everyone is going to love you. You know why?” She leaned back.
A reluctant smile tilted Grace’s pink lips. “Because I’m lovable?”
“Yes.” Faith squeezed her hand. “You’re the best person I know in this whole world. And I’m ridiculously smart.” Her dad had said that to her through the years with great fondness.
“And I’m ridiculously adventurous,” Grace said softly. “I miss him. And Mom.”
Tears threatened Faith, and she batted them back. “They’re watching over us. Let’s show them how much we can live.”
Grace steeled her shoulders. “Yeah. Let’s live.”
One of the security guards poked her head in to the hospital room, yanking Faith back to the present. “Ah, Dr. Cooper? You have visitors. Homeland Security agents are here. Well, one and a half, anyway.”
Faith stiffened and stood, turning toward the door. “What?”
A man strode inside. He stood to at least six-foot-seven with long black hair and eyes hidden behind refractive glasses. Tight muscle filled out his dark suit, and his skin was pale against it. He flashed a badge. “Dr. Cooper? I’m Dayne Walls from Homeland Security.”
A tall boy of about seven hopped behind him, peering around the agent.
Dayne sighed. “This is my son, Drake. He’s out of school for the day, and my wife had to work.”
Drake nodded politely. He also had black hair and pale skin, but his eyes were a deep green. “Doctor,” he said, looking around and heading for another chair in the corner. He dropped a backpack off his shoulders and reached inside, quickly losing himself in a video game.
She looked at him, her instincts humming. “What’s going on?” Did Homeland Security know about vampires? Probably? Or was she caught up in some weird X-Files thing? At this point, who knew? “Agent?”
Agent Walls moved toward the bed, looking down at Grace. “She’s Enhanced, you know.”
Faith stopped breathing. Then she began backing toward the door. If she screamed, the security guy would come running. “You know about Enhancements? Our government knows? Humans know? Is this for real?”
He turned toward her, his body relaxed. Slowly, he drew down his glasses to reveal bright purple eyes. “Humans don’t really know.”
She took another step back. “You’re not with Homeland. Or are you?” Maybe the agency was made up of these guys.
He smiled, revealing even white teeth. Even though he was unnaturally pale, he was rather good-looking. Hard jaw, glimmering eyes, intriguing features. “No. The badge is fake but appears genuine.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to yell. “We won’t hurt you. We just want to talk.”
She blinked. Her chest hurt, giving signs of an impending panic attack. She hadn’t had one of those in years. “I don’t—”
“I know,” he said, his gaze intense and his tone gentle. “We helped your sister. I helped her.”
“You did?” she breathed, looking around until her gaze landed on Drake.
The kid glanced up and nodded. “Yep.” He went back to his game.
Confusion blanketed her and she struggled through it, focusing back on Dayne. “Why? How?”
He glanced at the woman in the bed and then turned to fully face Faith. “I gave her a little of my blood. We’re immortal, just like vampires and demons.”
We? The purple eyes. She shook her head. “You’re part of the Cyst?” Had he dyed his hair?
“No. I’m a Kurjan. Their leader, actually.” He appeared relaxed and his hands hung loosely by his side. “The Cyst are like our religious sect, and it’s not their fault they appear as they do. It’s a genetic mutation.” He shook his head, the movement sad. “They’re good and kind, and yet the vampires have hunted them through the centuries. You don’t judge on looks, do you?”
She blinked. “No.” There were several human genetic mutations that led to pale skin and an aversion to the sun. Perhaps the Cysts’ mutations led to even stronger reactions to sunlight.
“I helped your sister because I could, and because I wanted to get your attention,” Dayne said, his cheek creasing. “Did I?”
Were all immortals arrogant? She nodded, breathless. “Yes. Can you heal her?”
He studied her. “No, but I know somebody who can. We have doctors who could help.”
“What do you want?” Might as well get to the point. She’d freak out later about all the different immortals she’d had no clue existed.
“I want the Butcher.” Dayne’s eyes narrowed and changed to a brighter purple. “He was convicted of killing many of my people centuries ago, and we had him locked up in a prison far away from here. In another dimension. Yet he broke free.”
Wait a minute. “You’re saying Ronan is the bad guy here?”
The kid snorted from over in the corner. “Bad guy.” He shook his head, his concentration remaining on the game. “Like the devil is merely bad.”
Dayne nodded. “Don’t tell me. He gave you the epic story of him being the hero.”
She faltered. “Well, yeah.” Thinking back, she realized the Cyst guys hadn’t threatened her. Oh, they’d asked about Ronan, but they hadn’t said they’d hurt her. Until the one guy had started choking her to make her unconscious. He’d apologized first. What did that mean? She’d never know because Ronan had dragged them both into the sun to fry. “There’s a marking on his hand.” Heat infused her face.
Dayne paused. “Oh no. Don’t tell me
. He gave you that bullshit about the Kayrs marking and that you’re, what? His mate?” Dayne pressed his lips together as if he was trying not to laugh. “He used that one centuries ago. If I remember right, he could even shove some heat into it to shock a lass.”
The warmth intensified in her cheeks. That was a trick? Yeah, she’d fallen for it. Like some damsel in a rom-com movie looking for adventure. Man, she was an idiot. But wait a minute. This guy might be lying too. “So I’m not Enhanced,” she murmured.
Dayne lost the smile. “Oh, you’re definitely enhanced. I can sense that as well as any vampire could.”
“What does that really mean?” she asked.
“You can mate an immortal,” Dayne said. “There’s no marking or anything like that. It takes a bite and sex and something more…something forever. But the marking is just a prop Ronan created to seduce women.” He growled. “When he wasn’t butchering innocent monks, that is.”
This was so damn confusing. Ronan kissed like a god, but Dayne had actually tried to help Grace. Of course, he could be manipulating her. And while the two men had opposite stories, they agreed there were immortals out there and that she was Enhanced. Which meant she could mate an immortal and—what, become one? She chewed on her lip, trying to figure out this mess. “Why can’t you give my sister more of your blood?” she asked.
He nodded as if in approval. “Our blood is dangerous to most humans. I could give her a little because she’s Enhanced, and it did help her. But if I give her any more, it would kill her.”
“I’d like a sample of your blood,” Faith said instantly. Maybe she could isolate its healing properties.
He straightened. “We’re prohibited by law from giving our blood to humans. All immortal species have that kind of protection in place. We can’t have you all knowing about us. Just think of the outcry and scramble to control us. We’d have to harm humans to defend ourselves.”
She kept her gaze on him, her shoulders going back. “I will arrange a meeting between Ronan and you if you heal my sister and give me a sample of your blood.” Was she making a deal with the devil? Or had she kissed one in the cabin? Or were they both bad? Either way, if anybody could help Grace, Faith would take it. “What do you say?”
Dayne breathed out, his wide chest moving with the effort. “All right. I can take you to our doctor, and she can explain how to save your sister.”
“She?” Faith asked.
“Sure. Humans aren’t the only species with intelligent females,” Dayne said, amusement in his eyes.
Whatever. “There are female Kurjans?”
Dayne frowned. “Of course. Why wouldn’t there be?” His gaze cleared. “Oh, man. Is he still using that one as well? That vampires are male only?” His voice lowered to a dramatic whisper on the last. “Why do women fall for that?”
“I…” She truly didn’t have an answer for that question. There had been something intriguing, maybe even sexy, about an all-male badass species. And she had fallen for that concept.
Dayne studied her for a moment as if trying to peer inside her brain. As if he was measuring her.
Did he think she was a moron? She barely kept from shuffling her feet. Yeah, she’d believed Ronan. But this guy was telling just as crazy a story. Yet he’d offered to help Grace when Ronan had said she couldn’t be helped. “Listen, Dayne. You’ve all altered my perception of reality, and I need time to process all the new information. But how about this? You bring your doctor here, and if she can heal Grace, I’ll help you meet with Ronan.”
Dayne shook his head. “Our doctors are protected. Carefully. She won’t travel here and be exposed, especially with the Butcher free again. He had a fondness for torturing Kurjan females.”
That didn’t sound like the guy who’d worn the too-small clothing, goofy shoes, and sweet smile. The vampire who’d studied the computer all night. Ronan didn’t seem like the type of man to hurt a woman.
The quiet beep of a monitor was the only sound for a moment. What should she do?
Dayne gestured to his son. “Come on, kiddo. It’s time to go.” The kid grabbed his pack and shoved the game in, straightening his jeans when he stood. “This is your choice, Dr. Cooper. Come with us or not.” He waited until his son had reached him and then turned for the door, striding gracefully toward the hallway.
“Are you a soldier?” Faith blurted.
Dayne paused and looked over his shoulder. “No. I’m more like a diplomat. But I get the job done.” His smile was charming. “Remember my phone number in case you want to reach out to me.” He recited the digits for her.
Faith took note of the number and followed him into the hallway. She nodded at security guards posted outside the door. “Please keep security on this room until further notice. Twenty-four hours.”
The taller guard nodded.
She hustled after Dayne. “There has to be a way for me to meet your doctor.”
“There is,” Dayne said easily, turning a corner and heading toward the elevator. “We parked in the underground parking lot, and you’re more than welcome to join us.”
Yeah, but she’d be an idiot to just climb in a car with a Kurjan she didn’t know. She definitely didn’t trust this guy, but she couldn’t lose an opportunity to help Grace. “This is crazy,” she muttered.
“I’d imagine it must seem so,” Dayne said cheerfully as Drake followed dutifully behind him.
They’d almost reached the elevator when a supply-closet door opened and a broad hand grabbed Dayne’s hair and jerked the Kurjan inside. A large snap echoed. His neck breaking?
Faith pivoted instinctively to protect Drake, and the kid shoved past her, diving into the closet. She scrambled to stop him and was yanked inside as well.
Ronan shut the door, securing them all inside. Dayne lay in a heap on the floor, his neck at an odd angle. Faith gulped and pushed Drake behind her, backing them away from the vampire blocking the exit. “You killed him,” she whispered, fear tightening her throat.
Ronan rolled his eyes. “Not yet, I haven’t.”
“You won’t,” Drake burst out from behind her. “I’ll kill you first.”
Faith angled herself to keep the kid behind her. “You need to leave now, Ronan. I mean it.”
The vampire crossed his arms, and only the bulging vein in his neck showed any emotion. If she had to guess, and she did, he was seriously pissed. “Go out to your car and wait for me. I’ll be finished here in a moment,” he ordered.
Finished? What? Her lungs compressed and then whooshed out air. “You are not going to kill them.”
“They’re Kurjans,” he said slowly, as if explaining to an idiot.
Fire raged through her. He couldn’t seriously be considering killing a child. And Dayne was a diplomat, not a soldier. He didn’t stand a chance against Ronan. “So what? You’re prejudiced, Ronan. You really are. Just because they’re Kurjans doesn’t mean they’re bad.”
He blinked twice, incredulousness wrinkling his eyes. “Yes, it does.” He studied her as if seriously doubting her intelligence.
She swallowed rapidly, trying to think of a way to save the child behind her. Even if the Kurjans were evil, he was just a kid. This close to Ronan, her body hummed again. What was up with that? It didn’t make any sense. Maybe there was something biological going on. “I won’t let you harm this boy,” she said, her voice shaking.
Ronan sighed. “Fine. You come with me now, and I won’t kill them or any of the guards on this floor. You scream, and I won’t be responsible for the carnage.”
That’s why they called him the Butcher. Her knees shook, but she couldn’t let anything happen to Drake. He was just a child.
What choice did she have?
CHAPTER NINE
Ronan parked Faith’s car near the end of the small and very private airstrip where a plane waited. The woman had complained
when he’d insisted on driving, but he hadn’t given her a choice. He was still immensely irritated that two Kurjans had gotten so close to his mate.
And she’d protected them.
He kept calm only through force of will as he eyed the small jet. The sight of the plane made his gut ache. He wasn’t ready to fly. Vampires and demons weren’t meant to fly. If they were, they’d have wings.
Faith continued to ignore him from the passenger side, conducting searches on her phone.
“What are you looking for?” he asked. Again.
She cut him a sharp look. “Any research on pheromones.”
Pheromones? He scrolled through his mind for any information he might’ve gleaned about them while searching the net. The definition flashed quickly before his eyes. “The word comes from ancient Greek and refers to a secreted chemical factor that triggers a response in somebody else.” Then he mulled it over and barked out a laugh. “Wait a minute. You’re trying to find a scientific reason for the attraction between us?” For the first time that day, his heart lightened. There was something sweet about her intellect.
She hunched her shoulders. “You’re a bad guy, Ronan. At the very best, you’re just the bad-boy type. At the worst, you’re the Butcher. I should not be attracted to you.”
Yet she was. He grinned, even though she’d called him the Butcher. The Kurjans had given him that nickname after a particularly bloody battle. One they’d started, by the way. “All right.” He opened his door and gestured her out of the car. “Did you text your friends?” He’d made her do so before leaving the closet, threatening her with the murder of Drake.
She glared at him, while also somehow looking bewildered. “Yes. I’ve let the hospital know I’m on vacation still, asked my neighbor to continue watching the cats, and I emailed Louise and told her I was heading out for a spa week. Nobody will worry about my disappearance.”
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