by CJ England
Gallegar gave her a squeeze, his emotions overflowing. They sat in silence, each with their own thoughts. He felt the steady beating of his heart. It was still a remarkable feeling.
Kira just rested. In his arms, she felt safe and content. Shifting closer to him, she brushed her hair off her shoulders, grimacing as she felt the hair catch in the dried blood on her shoulder.
He noticed her movement and turning her slightly, examined the wound he had left. It was healing already, almost as fast as a vampire's would.
"I will clean that for you.” Effortlessly, he lifted her from his lap and set her on the couch. He rose and walked over to the bar and wet a soft clean cloth. Returning, he knelt down before her and gently wiped the blood traces from Kira's shoulder.
"It looks to me you will be left with a scar that shows my fang marks. The flesh I tore during the first bite is already healed."
"This is the brand that shows we are joined."
"And where is mine?"
Kira bent down and pulled his shirt open. On his chest was a charred brand in the shape of a small letter “K.” Gallegar looked down at it for a moment before tracing it with his finger. He flinched as he touched it.
"I thought the pain was a leftover from the joining. But it is the brand itself."
"I am sorry. I did not know it would continue to hurt."
"How about yours. Does it hurt?"
Kira nodded. “During the joining I could feel you deaden the pain, but when it was over I felt it throbbing."
Gallegar smiled slowly, wickedly, and Kira felt it all the way down to her toes. “That's not all that was throbbing."
Kira blushed and Gallegar gave a shout of laughter, as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. He felt such a sense of completeness as he held her.
"You are truly a part of me. I wish never to let you go. You make me feel...” He kissed her lips, struggling to keep himself under control.
Moving her slightly so she rested in one arm, he tugged off the ring he wore on his right pinky.
"A Ghra ... Take this as a symbol of our joining. It was given to me centuries ago by my father, before I was transformed.” As he spoke, he placed the ring on her right hand.
Kira lifted her hand and examined the handsome ring that fitted snugly on her ring finger. It was a band of silver with intricate scrolling and designs tracing the circle. Tucked into the patterns was a form of writing she didn't recognize. She could sense the age and importance of the gift to Gallegar. Her eyes filled again with tears.
"It is most beautiful. Are you sure you wish to give it away?"
"The ring belongs to you. You now belong to me. I give you the ring ... it still belongs to me ... in a way.” He grinned in male satisfaction. “I don't see myself losing out on this one."
"What does the writing mean?"
"It is Gaelic. Roughly translated, it says ... ‘Live to see the future. Love like there is no tomorrow'."
He lifted her chin for another soft kiss. “I had not thought to make my family pledge become truth ... but meeting you...” He looked deeply into her eyes, as if searching for something.
"Tell me what you feel.” It was a demand, but it carried a wisp of anxiety.
Kira's heart melted. She didn't know how to explain the new emotions that ran through her, but she knew one thing. She cupped his face in her hands.
"You are my heart,” she said simply.
Tenderly Gallegar put his mouth to hers. He kissed her with all the pent-up feeling and longing he had felt for her from the first time he had the dream. Her response filled him with warmth. They were both shaking when he finally pulled away and Kira looked for something to distract them both.
"How did you become a vampire? I am sorry,” she said quickly, when he stiffened. “It is none of my concern."
Gallegar shut his eyes with a sigh and made himself relax. “As you are a part of my soul, it is your concern, A Ghra ... But it is a long story and an uncomfortable one. We have just found each other and I don't want to tarnish that with unpleasant memories. I would like to wait for another time."
"Of course.” Kira put her arms back around him. “I will hear the story whenever you wish to share it.” Suddenly she gasped and stiffened.
He pulled away. “What is it? Did I injure you?'
"No!” She shook her head. “It just came to me. What I am. What a Peacekeeper does."
"You were given the knowledge?"
"Yes. I was sent to you to help you make peace among the people. I know the Words of Death. You cannot use them, but I can. I have been sent to you to help you keep peace, and to punish those who do not follow your laws."
Gallegar sat back and looked at Kira in amazement. “You are an enforcer?"
"You are a strong and able leader, but something is drawing near that will try the strength of all leaders. If your flock is not bonded together and strong, you may not be able to fight what is coming."
"Do you know what is coming?” He tensed, knowing through their joining, she was speaking the truth. She had been sent to help him.
She stilled, her head tilted like she was listening to a voice that was just beyond her hearing. Then her eyes met his and he could read the disappointment in hers.
"I do not know yet what is coming. I am sorry."
"You will,” he said, encouragingly. “The Power will give you the knowledge when it is needed. She has shown us that so far."
"I am come to help you, my Heart. It is a part of my mission."
"Just a part?"
"There is more, but I am not yet sure what it is."
Kira had just barely finished speaking when Gallegar felt another roll of Power surge through her. Her eyes closed and she cocked her head, as she listened to the unseen speaker. She rose abruptly from the couch, taking him with her. Her movements were stiff and she staggered against him. He held her until she was strong enough to move away.
"What is it?” he asked quietly.
Kira turned to him with eyes already beginning to glow. “I have to go.” she said, and there was fear in her eyes. “I am not yet done this night."
Turning, she walked to the office door and opened it. The beat of the music in the club was a rude awakening after the peace and silence of their time of joining. At the door she stopped and looked back at him.
"Go where?"
She shrugged. “I do not know.” Her face was tight with worry. “I do not wish to leave you."
"What can I do?” he asked, as he came to stand beside her. His hands moved to her waist and she felt better immediately.
"Feeling your touch helps,” Kira said with a sigh. She leaned in, rubbing her cheek back and forth against his chest, as he held her tightly. After a moment she forced herself to walk out into the crowd toward the raised dais.
He followed close behind her. She stopped at the bottom of the steps and bent to pick up her things. One of the vampires that stood at the bottom reached down to stop her.
"It is all right, Gabriel.” Gallegar motioned him away with the wave of his hand. In a loud voice that reached up to the vampires at the upper table, he said, “She is my Lady now. She bears my mark. No one is to touch her but me."
The vampires at the table all stood and moved to the edge of the dais to better see what their master had done. The marks on Kira's neck glowed in the dimly lit club. Gallegar saw Charlotte's face fill with rage. He would definitely have to deal with her later.
"A Ghra ... Can I keep your backpack for you? Or will you need it this night?” Gallegar's hand was there before hers and he held her backpack, coat and hat.
"I will need my coat, for the night is cold. The rest I can leave here."
He handed the backpack and hat to Gabriel with the soundless order to take them to his office. He then helped Kira on with her coat. With his hand at the base of her spine, he walked with her to the front door of his club. Everything in him wanted to go with her, but he didn't know how to ask. It was all so new to them both.
"I do not know what to do either. I just know I have to go.” Turning she put her arms around him for a quick hug. Her breath whooshed from her lungs as he held her tightly. He kissed her hard and long, before releasing her, wondering if the torment he felt showed on his face.
"I am here if you need me, A Ghra..."
Kira smiled at him and moved to where a taxi waited. Suddenly she stopped and turned back to him. He heard her speak softly in his mind.
"What does A Ghra ... mean?"
Gallegar smiled. He answered her out loud so all could hear. “It means my love..."
Chapter 3
"I did not expect to see you back here,” Kira said to the cabby. It was the same one who had dropped her off at A Crown of Thorns.
"Well, I didn't exactly mean to come back.” The cabby scratched his head in confusion. “I was all the way into the city when I got the strong feeling I was supposed to come back and get you. I tried to ignore it, but it just kept getting stronger and stronger. Finally all I could do was come and then ... there you were."
"My thanks."
"Where to now?"
Kira heard the answer in her mind a split second before the cabby was finished asking. “Take me to the club called The Howling.
The cabby looked at her in his review mirror. “You know that's a gaming parlor? Another place you shouldn't be at."
Kira smiled. “I go where I must. I thank you for the warning, but I will be safe."
"Are you meeting someone there?'
Kira thought of Gallegar, and how he had touched her with such feeling. She wished he was with her. “I am meeting someone there ... yes.” She sighed to herself. She just didn't know who it was.
"All-righty then. Hold on. We'll be there in about ten."
Kira held on and wondered again what she would do when she arrived.
* * * *
Back at A Crown of Thorns, Gallegar stood staring after Kira and the cab as he slowly buttoned up the shirt Kira had undone earlier. Noah came up beside him from his place at the door.
"She is your Lady, now?” Noah asked, somewhat fearfully.
Gallegar smiled. “She is mine."
"You control The Words of Death. Do you not, my Master?"
Gallegar turned and looked at Noah. He could smell Noah's fear, coupled with a goodly amount of awe. This is what Kira had meant ... he realized, when she said she would make him stronger than he was.
"Yes. The Lady belongs to me. I ask it of her and she will give it to me."
"Our flock will be powerful.” Noah's voice was smug.
Gallegar hid a grin. He held his breath as a heartbeat later, the Power moved in his head. He now knew where to go. He heard Kira wishing he was with her. The Power urged him to follow.
He turned to Noah. “Go get the car. We go after my Lady.” He watched as Noah glided away. He called Gabriel to join them and left the club in charge of his second-in-command. A moment later, they were pulling out of the parking lot.
* * * *
Kira arrived at The Howling. It was even seedier looking than A Crown of Thorns. A long, low building, it was covered in ivy and surrounded by tall trees. It gave the impression of a cabin in the woods, yet it stood in the middle of a huge city.
"Thanks again.” She paid the cabby, adding a large tip.
"I am heading home this time,” the cabby stated firmly. “Take care of yourself."
Kira didn't watch as the cab pulled away. She was looking at the building before her. There was no line waiting at The Howling. No one standing guard at the door. She walked to the heavy double doors and pushed her way in.
* * * *
Lucas Kane stood alongside the bar nursing his drink. As manager of The Howling, his job was to make sure everything was running smoothly. His silver gray eyes swept over the crowd, checking for any problems. Everything seemed in order. People were gambling and if the house's luck held, they were losing.
Drinks flowed and the customers, no matter what species they were, seemed to be having a good time. The boss would be happy with tonight's receipts. There had been a fight earlier, but with his size and skill, it hadn't taken much for Lucas to convince the two men to take their differences outside. There had been very little damage to the black and white tables and silver trimmings the boss insisted upon.
Surrounded by silver. It gave some of his people the willies, but Lucas was too tough and stubborn to worry about it. He figured if his number was up, so be it. No amount of worrying about it would help. He took another sip of his drink, and watched with amusement as a nearby dealer raked in a load of chips from a winning hand. The customer didn't even flinch, but anteed up again.
As he looked around the room again, Lucas's gaze stopped on a figure that had just entered through the front door. He watched as it removed a long coat, and then stand completely motionless in the shadows. Something about the utter stillness of the figure set alarms off in Lucas.
Trouble. He pushed off of the bar and made his way through the crowd.
Kira became aware of him as he moved ... no ... stalked toward her. Here was a man with an animal type of grace. His was not the smooth sensual gliding walk that Gallegar had, but the rough gait or tireless lope of a predator stalking its prey. She saw his body was tall and thick, with rippling muscles in his arms and legs. His face was strong and hard. He had short blond wavy hair, and eyes that gleamed silver in the overhead lights.
As he drew nearer, Kira saw they were an icy gray—so pale they looked silver. Her power moved within her. She smiled and moved to intercept him. He was the one. He was the one whom she'd been sent to meet. The Power told her she would be joining with this man.
Lucas saw that smile as she moved from the shadows toward him. She was a remarkably beautiful woman, but that sense of trouble still bothered him. It wasn't until she was standing directly before him that he felt the power surrounding her. Lucas’ eyes narrowed as he felt it curl around him and call to the animal he carried within his soul. The urge to change came over him so swiftly he gasped and backed away from her.
"Don't,” he growled urgently. He put his hand up as if to push her away. “What are you doing?"
Kira frowned as she came toward him. He felt her pull back her power as she placed a small hand on his broad chest. “I am sorry. I did not know that would happen."
Lucas shook himself, quickly gaining control again. He wanted to back away from her hand as it rested on his chest, but he couldn't. He felt his own power reaching out, mingling cautiously with hers. It felt comfortable ... it felt right.
"Do I know you?” he asked.
Kira shook her head. “I am Kira. I am the Peacekeeper. I am for you, Lucas Kane, Master Shapeshifter. You are for me."
Lucas stared down at her. She was so tiny. At least a foot shorter than his six foot four inch height. But the power he felt in her was enormous. “I am no Master. What do you mean ... I am for you?"
"I am here to help you protect your people. To do that, I must join with you."
"Me?” Lucas felt his pulse beginning to pound in his head. What is she talking about? This lovely creature wanted him to join with her. Did that mean what he hoped it did? Lust surged up in him. He wanted to pull her to the floor and explore the power that shimmered around her.
"You are the leader of your...” Kira stopped in mid-sentence. Her eyes unfocused for a moment and she cocked her head.
As her silver hair flowed off her shoulder, Lucas saw the fresh bite of a vampire on her neck. He frowned. If she was feeling spacey due to blood loss, that would explain the oddity of her words. But it wouldn't explain the power he felt growing steadily in her.
Her gaze refocused and snapped to his. “You are not the leader of your people."
"No, I am the second."
Kira looked up at the handsome man before her. She had thought he was the Lea
der of the Wolf Shapeshifter Clan. His power was very strong and he was the one she was to join with. Why would the Power want the second and not the clan leader? She knew she must convince him of her mission.
She hoped she could do a better job than she had done with Gallegar. Thinking of Gallegar made her miss him.
Her heart pinched in her chest as Kira recognized some of what she was feeling for this Lucas was the same as what she felt for Gallegar. Does that mean Gallegar isn't special to me? Her stomach clenched at the thought. Lucas’ face came back into view and she took a deep breath.
"My name is Kira. I am Peacekeeper, sent to you, so you may help your people. I have been sent to join with you, not your clan leader. I do not know why this is so, but I do know it is the way it must be. I am for you, Lucas Kane. You are for me.
"I know the Words of Death for your people. I can use them to help you, to protect you and strengthen your people. Something is coming that will harm all of us."
Lucas listened to her incredulously. She was telling the truth, he could smell it. The Words of Death? He had thought them lost. A thrill raced through him. If what she was saying was true, this was one very dangerous lady.
And if it were true, she had just offered to give him a power stronger than any shapeshifter had ever known. Who is she? He eyed her narrowly. What is her agenda? What will she get out of all this?
Against all reasoning, he found himself believing her. Maybe it was the innocence in her eyes, or the fact her emotions sat right on her sleeve. Lucas found himself tempted by the offer. He could control the Words of Death? He hesitated. He was loyal to his people. To his clan leader. As much as he wished it differently, Elijah should have the first chance at this power.
"I am not the leader of my people. This decision belongs to my clan leader."
The woman nodded, as if she had been expecting it. “You are a good man, Lucas Kane. Honest and loyal. It may be why you have been chosen over your clan leader. Take me to him, please."
Lucas nodded and turned toward the glassed-in room at the far end of the large hall. While the glass couldn't be seen through from the floor, it was clear on the inside, giving Elijah a clear view of what was happening in his club. Inside were private tables for the elite gamers, as well as Elijah's private office.