by Nicki Ruth
He understood Jason was preoccupied but no need to be rude.
“I’m sure. Maybe later tonight,” he replied with a wide smile for the dark-haired beauty.
She flicked an irritated glance at him, then reached out to Jason who flinched, lips
curling back from his fangs. The woman gasped, clutching her throat as she stared at Jason.
Brandr frowned. Jason was never unkind or aggressive with anyone, especially women. But, it had been stressful for him recently. After a few tense moments, the woman rose and walked away. Their gazes trailed after her.
“Damn! That was one very well put together lass,” Brandr said, sipping his drink after she disappeared into the crowd.
“What are you talking about?” Jason exclaimed, gripping the edge of the table. “That wasn’t a woman!”
Brandr choked and sputtered on his drink at Jason’s words.
What the devil was he talking about?
Chapter 2
To say Cade was shocked and irritated was an understatement. He didn’t want this trip to be a waste.
He’d docked hours ago at the Damurian station, gotten through a ridiculous amount of security questions and screening, and travelled to the location of his target, which was provided by his sensor. The sensor, uniquely crafted by his ancestors and given a boost by his own modern enhancements, picked up his target’s aura days ago, and the beacon had only gotten stronger when he arrived on Damurios. Finally, after years, he’d found another.
He didn't want to stay any longer than necessary on the vampire planet. He detested the blood suckers. He was glad to find that his target was in a club in one of the more cosmopolitan cities on Damurios. Easier for him to engage and secure.
Music thrummed off his chest when Cade entered the crowded club to hunt his prey. They were offering specials of all kinds, celebrating a new vampire queen, so there was a good turnout. How fortunate the leeches were to find a long-lost vampire—their queen, no less, he thought with derision. Now they’d probably have new aspirations for war and domination. Leeches disgusted him. He needed to get his target off this damn planet, and quickly. No use getting caught up in a resurgence of vampire elitism. His senses kicked into gear as he scanned the crowd. At the far back sat two males. One was a large vampire, the other was . . . different. Cade moved closer and his sensor vibrated faster in his pocket. He’d found the target!
He took to a dark corner and glamoured himself into one of his more alluring personas. No one had been able to resist dark-haired Mariad. So he wasn’t prepared for the reaction he received. The man he’d designed to abscond with was young. And quite appealing, with large, brown eyes, and thick, dark brown hair that fell into his eyes. Broad shouldered and lean, like a Galactic athlete. Hopefully strong. Something troubled the young man, but Cade didn't concern himself with that. The man’s aura was rousing, oozing a charged sensation that gave him goosebumps. He hadn’t found one as unique as this in a long time, and he didn't think he would ever again. Excitement rippled through him.
He was looking forward to acquiring his new find.
But the youngling recoiled from Cade and bared fangs. A vampire! How was this possible?
He left disappointed and stood ruefully nursing his drink at the bar, thinking of his next move.
He could just leave. There was no way he’d entertain the thought of dealing with vampires, but the young man’s aura was strong and resonated with him. It wasn't the aura of a vampire.
Cade dumped the last of his drink down his throat and looked back to where his target was sitting. He and his companion were whispering together when they both looked up and over at him. Shit. Cade didn’t like the look on their faces. He’d turned to the bartender to pay his tab, when the skin at the back of his neck tingled.
“Who are you?” his target demanded.
Cade turned to face them. “I’m Mariad. Care to buy me another drink, handsome?” he chimed, still in his glamour.
“You can quit your act. You’re not a woman. Who are you?”
Well, damn.
“And what about you, big guy? I’m not woman enough for you either?” Cade asked the blond mountain of a vampire with a fierce scar striping his face.
The man ran his eyes over Cade’s body, which appeared like it was squeezed into a tight, fitted dress. The vampire raised his eyebrows and looked over to his companion, quizzically.
Ah, so the blond did see him as a woman. It was his target who was able to see through his glamour. Cade was right. This one was special.
With a dazzling smile he turned to the young man again. “Why don’t you and I go somewhere quiet, and let me show you how much of a woman I am.”
But the young man sighed and motioned to his friend. “Let’s go. I’m not in the mood for this.”
As he turned to leave, Cade saw a small, white feather snagged in the hem of his coat. In fact, he could make out the outline of something bulky at his back. His breath caught in his throat.
“I can help you, you know. With the feathers,” he said hastily above the noise of the club, stopping them in their tracks. “And with the other things you must be experiencing.” Cade stepped toward them as they turned to face him. “I came a long way to find you, to help you,” he offered, hoping he would take the bait.
“I don’t know what you think you know, lass. But you’ll be wise to stay away from us, understood?” the vampire brute said menacingly, moving protectively in front of the younger man.
“I’m not looking for trouble, honey. But I know things, and I could help your . . . friend. He sprouted wings, right?” Cade asked, making sure to keep the concern in his ‘feminine’ voice. “Maybe we can go somewhere else, where we can all talk.”
“We go nowhere with you—” he began, but the younger man stopped him.
“If you cut this annoying act of yours, I’ll hear what you have to say,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.
“Jason. That’s not a good idea—”
“It’s ok, Brandr. I want to hear what . . . it has to say.” His brown eyes flashed yellow for the briefest moment.
So, his name was Jason. Cade was intrigued. Success lay within his grasp.
“All right. Let’s step outside, then.” Cade motioned for them to follow as he headed for the exit. He wanted them away from the crowds.
“We stay right here, under the light,” the blond—Brandr—said, as they rounded the corner away from the club’s entrance. “Now, speak!”
“First, reveal yourself,” Jason said, standing shoulder to shoulder with Brandr, who was a few inches taller.
Cade shrugged and waved his hand in front of his face, releasing his glamour. Brandr gaped, clearly surprised to find a man before him.
But Jason. The look on his face took Cade completely by surprise. His wide-eyed expression was one of awe, and . . . yearning. Jason’s eyes roamed over Cade’s body slowly, taking in every inch of his thighs, torso, arms. Cade noticed when his gaze paused on his chest and face, no doubt curious about what he saw there. When Jason met his gaze, Cade winked, and to his delight, the young man blushed.
Cade barely suppressed his grin at Jason’s reaction, but he pushed his pleasure aside. It was time to conclude his mission and ensure Jason left with him.
∞∞∞
She had been smiling and flirting with him, but Jason knew everything was not as it seemed. It sounded like a woman, but a man’s face lay behind the façade, although it was blurry since the feminine face was superimposed over it, obscuring it.
And Brandr had completely fallen for it!
Didn't he see it was some ill-trained magician trying to deceive them? Then, when it claimed to know about his winged problem, Jason really started getting pissed. He was already near his breaking point, and he wasn’t going to be jerked around by some prankster pretending to divine answers to his troubles.
But still, he was curious, and if he didn’t like what he heard, they would just show the magician why it
was a bad idea to mess with them. Even though all he wanted was to get back to his quarters and think over the new plan he’d formulated to solve his problem, he wouldn't mind letting off some steam.
They stood outside in the dusky twilight, the low bass of the club’s music vibrating against his ear drums, when the magician waved his hand over his face. Like a wafting mist, the illusion lifted, leaving behind a striking man. Jason couldn’t believe what was standing before him. It was the most stunning man he’d ever laid eyes on. Tall and sinewy. And Jason’s mouth watered at the way his leather pants molded to his well-developed thighs, and how his biceps flexed as he folded them across his broad chest, coming to rest above his deliciously tapered waist. The man winked at him, and Jason’s face heated.
“So, here we are, all out in the open. I’m Cade,” the man said with a slight bow.
Jason couldn’t find his tongue—he was still checking out the man before him. An iridescent patch on his face half surrounded his right eye. It looked like scales, but Jason couldn’t tell in the light. His smile revealed white teeth under luscious lips, the bottom fuller and more inviting. Dark blond hair hung long past his shoulders in a ponytail, with two braids clasped in colorful beads at the ends at either side of his head. But it was his eyes that held Jason in a trance. They were the most unusual, vivid, and seductive shade of green; not like emeralds, but golden green like peridot. It reminded him of the breaking waves of the tropical beaches on the vacation planet, Fion.
“Cade?” Brandr mocked.
The stranger chuckled. “Cadeonidas.”
“So, what is it you claim to know about Jason?” Brandr asked.
Cade looked directly at Jason. “I can help you control and discover your new abilities. I know what you’re going through.” His voice was silky smooth and deep.
Cadeonidas. Jason tumbled the name in his mind, setting it there. He swallowed, trying to get his head together.
“You’re nothing but a low-budget mage with worthless tricks. Get out of here before I’m forced to show you some of my tricks,” Brandr threatened.
Cade scowled. He unfolded his arms and tensed. Jason thought he saw something move across his eyes, but it was so quick he was unsure of what he saw.
“Damn leeches. Always so smug,” Cade swore. “Look, I’m not here for trouble. I just need to talk to Jason. And, if I’m correct, you need my help.”
Brandr let out a low growl, which finally snapped Jason out of his daze to find his voice.
“Why do you think I need your help?” he asked. The stranger was up to some mischief and Jason was curious as to why he was focused on him.
Cade sighed and looked to the sky for a few moments. Were they trying his patience? Jason’s incredulity was mirrored on Brandr’s face.
“Neat trick, but we’re not interested,” Jason announced, turning to leave the mysterious stranger behind. He thoroughly enjoyed the eye candy, but he had other things to do and plans to put in place.
“It must be uncomfortable, having your new wings pressed against your back like that. I can teach you how to wield them.”
A red haze clouded Jason’s vision. It wasn't just the mention of the goddamn wings, which compounded his anger because of the constant agony they forced him to endure, but he was tired of being reminded he was different—of his youth, his rashness . . . and the blasted wings! All of which made him question his place with his family, not to mention his sanity!
With lightning speed, his claws found their way into the man’s neck, sinking deeply. Taken by surprise, Cade stumbled back with a curse. Jason bellowed in rage and kept sinking his claws into flesh. But the man grinned, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Before Jason could react, a burst of heat slammed into his chest, sending him flying several feet through the air and into a group of clubgoers.
Brandr shouted and Jason saw a flash of light from the corner of his eye. He rose to his feet, throwing off the limbs tangled around him, ready to charge again.
“Enough! I said I don’t want trouble, leech!” Cade said. “Do not attack me again.”
Jason snarled when he saw Brandr struggling against a headlock. Cade was covered in iridescent scales up his arms, neck, and sides of his face. Jason narrowed his eyes and looked for an opening to attack, but Cade threw Brandr to the side, and, in a blur, had Jason by the throat.
“It’s not polite to attack someone when they’re only trying to help, youngin,” Cade sneered, inches from his face. “But now I have you, and you’ll do nicely.”
Jason fought with claw and fang, but Cade was stronger, especially with his vampire strength taken by the Dāmming. Holding Jason by the neck, Cade leapt high into the air, spreading giant leathery wings from his back, and one flap sent them hurtling into the sky, the wind bending around them as they went.
Chapter 3
Jason woke to a new kind of pounding in his head. Groaning, he rolled and found his movement restricted. He looked down and realized his hands were tied behind his back. In fact, he was securely hogtied.
Using his claws, he tried to free himself from the restraints, but by his guess, they were made of velcrox—a super scratch- and tear-resistant plastic. He stilled when he remembered the altercation outside the club, then the stranger who trounced him before taking off on wings.
That son of a—
“Good, you’re awake. We have much to discuss,” the bastard said. He stopped in front of Jason, who was on the floor. “Now, I’ll either have your cooperation or you remain as you are. Your choice.”
Jason bared his fangs and fought against his restraints, cursing the man who smirked before him.
“It’s true what I said. I can help you. But I won’t have you trying to attack me again. It won’t work.”
Seething, he glared at Cade, in silence, his rage causing his bloodlust to rise. He wanted to rip this guy apart.
“I like that look on your face, Jason. You’re going to need that determination for what’s ahead,” Cade said. “We’re queued up for departure, and it’s going to be a long journey. Are you sure you don’t want to cooperate? Maybe sit in a chair instead of the floor?” Cade asked, wiggling his eyebrows
Jason said nothing. He was trained to endure hardships; he wouldn’t surrender to Cade.
“Fair enough.” After rising to his feet, Cade strode away out of view.
Jason wriggled his hands again, but the bulk from the folded wings got in the way. He cursed. Never did he think this day would have gone so wrong. First, having to reveal his condition to Brandr, then . . . Brandr! No, he was ok. He must be. And soon, he would be searching for him. Good. When he reunited with Brandr, they would deal with Cade. Jason exhaled slowly. He just needed to be patient. But wait! Didn't Cade mention a departure and a long journey? Were they leaving Damurios?
Jason began to struggle again in earnest. Leaving Damurios was certainly not an option for him. Damn, damn, damn! He needed to try another tactic.
“Cade,” he called out. “Cade!”
“Yes, my little vampire. Changed your mind?” Cade grinned knowingly, strolling into the room.
“Yes,” Jason ground out. “Untie me.”
“Tsk.” Cade knelt before him. “We can do better than that, surely?” he taunted.
Jason bristled and tried to swallow his anger. “Untie me, now,” he growled impatiently.
Cade chuckled and removed something from his boot. He reached behind Jason and released the bindings.
“Now, leech, you’re not strong enough to take me, so be good,” he said, sternly. “I won’t appreciate damage to my ship if I need to beat your ass again.”
Jason continued to glare at him but kept his mouth shut.
Cade stared at him in return with an unreadable expression on his face. Then he smiled. “Will you be giving me the silent treatment? Or would you like me to answer the questions you have?”
Jason wanted to pound the man’s smug face into the floor. Instead he sat up and stretched his
cramped arms, rubbing where the ties had dug into his skin.
Cade watched his movements and frowned when he saw Jason’s wrists. “Why haven’t these healed yet?”
It sounded like concern in his voice, but Jason remembered the man was a trickster. Cade took hold of his wrist, but Jason snatched it away with a snarl. Cade glanced up and sighed.
“I don’t want us to be at odds the entire journey, Jason. Believe it or not, I’m not actually your enemy.”
Jason didn’t want to hear his lies. The man kidnapped him. And anyone with designs to kidnap a vampire during the Dāmming definitely didn’t have good intentions.
“I’ll tell you what. Let me help ease some of your discomfort, while I tell you why I brought you here.”
∞∞∞
Cade smiled to himself knowing he had Jason cornered. He really didn’t want to be so heavy handed with him, but Jason was proving to be a handful. He liked that. He’d wanted to find one as strong-willed as Jason.
“So, what do you say I answer your questions while I help with the pain?” he offered.
Jason kept glaring at him before shrugging his shoulders, looking away. From the hard set of his jaw, Cade knew he wasn’t going to admit he needed help whatsoever.
“Okay. We have a few minutes before we leave. Should I start at your back? Your wings are folded awkwardly,” he said as he moved to position himself behind Jason.
He regretted tying him up, but it was necessary. Cade examined Jason’s wings and began massaging the spot where they emerged from his back. They were juvenile wings, given the down feathers, but they’d quickly mature and transform into something he was eager to witness.
Given Jason’s age, it was clear he was a late bloomer, but Cade was prepared to help him discover how to master his abilities. From the physical traits he’d observed, Jason’s ancestry confused him, but he knew someone who’d be able to trace it. And, if his hunch was correct, Jason was the greatest discovery he’d ever made.