by Unknown
She really was sick of this. “I don’t know where you get your facts. Fresh human blood makes our kind into animals. No one would do that. And even if they did, the vaccine would protect the human from our DNA.”
Behind her, she could feel Cain tensing. “You think no one would do it?” He was in front of her, and with one swift motion he pulled the neck of his T-shirt aside, revealing the scar she’d seen earlier. The scar that looked like… markings? “You know what this is?” Fury was in that savage voice. She simply shook her head, his scent and rage whipping around her. “It’s a sire mark. The newest trend of your kind.” His eyes were a heated storm, his voice a harsh whisper. “The bitch that did this fucked me while she drained me.”
The thought was just impossible. It had to be a lie. It simply had to be. “I won’t believe this.” She breathed the words, deliberately turning away from him to face the other man who calmly watched them both. “That can be anything. That isn’t proof.”
“You have been raised to avoid humans.” Jakob’s voice was icy calm. Val nodded in response. “Even if you drink their blood, it’s never from the source.”
Cain’s breathing was harsh in front of her, his scent had changed to disgust and fury. And still she wanted him. She wondered why she didn’t want the Vampyre. He was acceptable. Even if he were siding with the humans, for whatever reason, he was at least one of her own her kind. And yet his scent was unappealing to her. She wanted Cain. Though Gods knew why.
The Vampyre turned toward a monitor, plucked at a few keys with a slowness that didn’t seem characteristic of him. Perhaps he was much older than he seemed. “Your kind would not risk death for the taste of human. But this man --” he pulled up a photo; bleak, pale blue eyes, thin weathered skin, pursed lips --”this man isn’t one of you. He’s a human carrier.”
She’d heard this story before. Nevertheless, she made her way toward the monitor. “A carrier of what?”
“Of Vampyre DNA. A mixing of his blood with humans will cause the change.”
Val shook her head. “How is this possible?” Cain muttered something, dropped into a chair at her right, his fingers dancing over keys. He didn’t look at her. She met Jacob’s steady glance and raised her chin. “Fine, let’s assume this is possible. Nevertheless, the vaccine will --”
“The vaccine was made for pure humans.”
Right. “What other kind is there?”
“The hybrid. A human with Vampyre DNA.”
Val cringed at that. “That would entail the races --”
“Fucking.” The word was uttered from her right -- Cain’s voice, while he still didn’t look at her. It brought the heat back to her crotch even as she struggled to comprehend.
She forced herself to ignore him. “You’re telling me there are children of both Vampyre and human?”
“You’ve met Slade?”
“The sympath? Yes.”
“He was half sympath. When he was drained, he turned into a blood Vampyre.”
Stubbornly, she shrugged. “It’s still not proof.”
Now the Vampyre laughed. “Your Council already thinks you’re compromised. This man,” he nodded at the screen, “has been trying to kill you. Don’t you think it would be beneficial to help the ones who’re trying to keep you safe?”
It would be beneficial to get the hell away from Cain. She thought about bleeding again, but the memories that came with it had her entire body shuddering. “I assume you will not want an incident.” Calmly she folded her arms across her chest even while every nerve ending tingled. “Even if the Council believes I’m compromised, turning me into dust won’t be… beneficial to your organization.” She used his word for emphasis. “Until you give me proof, I won’t help you.”
Proof equaled time. She would make contact with the Council. Her father’s name still had some favor even if she herself was somewhat of an oddity, a woman scientist in a male dominated world. Not delicate -- no lady -- as was proper for women of her kind. It didn’t matter now. She would turn over this whole thing to them and let the politicians fight it out. In the meantime, this need for Cain would end and if she ever faced him, it would be only as a reminder of her weak lust for a human. One that had been nearly drained.
“Would you stop yammering and get her to a lab?” Cain still didn’t look at them. “I’ve got a network to secure.”
She felt her cheeks flame while Jakob simply smiled. “Her being here won’t affect your network.” Those dark eyes looked at her in an uncomfortable understanding. “Stay here. I’ll get you proof.”
She nodded, couldn’t speak, just followed Jakob as he led her out of the room, all the while fully aware that Cain didn’t spare her a single glance.
Chapter Eight
He should’ve gone to sleep. Or gone into the city to find Slade. Or put another layer of security onto the network. He’d filched the IP of the originated call and stuck a present on it. Next time they looked into his business they’d get a nasty little jolt.
Sweating, Cain pounded the punching bag, hoping to pound her out of his head. He didn’t know what the fuck had happened. What in the world had possessed him? He’d fucked her -- damn, he’d fucked her twice. A Vampyre. She didn’t suck his blood and yet her imprint was all over him. He didn’t know which one was worse.
Another jab, a hook, a wicked backhand. He followed with a vicious sidekick -- a bit too low for a man his size since chin-high wasn’t really useful. He’d do weights later; exhaust his muscles if he couldn’t exhaust his spinning mind. He’d stopped taking the hormone pills after that one night with Slade, when sparring became combat, when control was lost and he’d nearly killed them both. He didn’t want the rage that came with strength. He just wanted the strength.
Cain had kept the lights low -- the red and blue squares of the mat were dark and silent as he moved, circling the bag, alternating punches and kicks, using aggression to drive out the lust.
Jakob stepped out from the shadows. “She has your scent all over her.” His voice was hoarse and strained.
Cain didn’t care for it. “So the fuck what?”
Jake’s punch sent the bag reeling. “It was the only thing that kept me off her.”
Fuck. “Have her.” Cain’s fists tightened in protest even as the words went past his teeth.
“You think it’s easy to keep off her when her blood calls out?”
Another vicious punch. “Go fuck her if you want, you don’t need my permission.” Except he’d have to kill him if Jakob touched her.
“You idiot.” The vamp was on him, hands twisting on his T-shirt. Cain used his fists against that iron stomach, felt satisfaction with each grunt. It took a minute for them both to empty out. He needed this more than the bag. Breathing cool air through his bloodied lip, Cain moved to the stacked towels, threw one at Jakob and watched with satisfaction as the Vampyre used it to wipe his own bleeding mouth. “She’s in need.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you --” Jakob didn’t finish, simply raised an eyebrow.
“You want a play by play?”
“Spare me. But do something.”
“Will you speak fucking English?”
Jakob sighed. “Your Vampyre --”
“She’s not my fucking Vampyre!”
“Regardless, she’s pumping pheromones like no fucking tomorrow.”
“And you care because…”
“Because it’s driving me fucking insane!” The words were pushed through gritted teeth. “It’s rare for the females, but potent as hell. Didn’t you wonder why you couldn’t keep your hands off her considering…”
The thought that bloomed was wild and red and ugly. “So that’s what I’m reacting to. Her fucking pheromones.” Relief mixed with rage. He wasn’t falling for a fucking Vampyre. He was just falling for her hormones. He needed to get rid of her. “What will you do with her after you get the data?”
A shrug. “Can’t leave her out. I’ll stash her underground until this i
s resolved with the damned Council.”
Perfect. “I’ll get the data. She can be gone tomorrow.”
* * *
She pushed out air through her teeth and lifted the barbell off her chest. Weight training wasn’t exactly feminine, but since she’d killed a human Valentina had stopped caring.
Her muscles already trembled and sweat covered her skin. She wouldn’t bleed herself this time, but she could exhaust herself enough to simply sleep. One more burning push -- a breath and hold. A slow torturous lowering.
“Why don’t you just drink a human and spin like a toothpick?”
She nearly dropped the weights onto her belly; fought with her body to ease it up and onto its resting place. Cain stood in the doorway of the gym, a towel over his gleaming shoulders, his lip cut and bleeding. Val wondered if she licked at it, would the strength it gave her drop him long enough for her to clear this place?
“Don’t even think it.” He seemed to read her mind while she willed her tired body to get up and face him. “Your Council will kill you even if Church’s people don’t.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “I’m getting used to it.”
He didn’t pretend to small talk. “I need the data, Vampyre.” He didn’t even call her by name. It chilled her skin while her blood heated, despite exhaustion.
“I will not give them the data, Human.” She sneered as she said it, scenting the excitement pour from him, mixed with something else, something dark and desperate. His scent curled around her once more and she’d do anything to have him, to feel his hands on her.
And still he didn’t move, framed by the doorway of the gym. “I know about your need.”
She shuddered. “And?”
“I say let’s trade.”
“Data for cock? No, thank you.” Gods, she was getting more vulgar by the minute. Her muscles tensed in sweet anticipation, but she forced her body not to move.
Cain took a single step toward her, and flicked off the lights before letting the door shut. She heard a lock twist and was now trapped in here with his huge body. As he crossed toward her, the tiny lights that now illuminated the gym outlined the bulge between his thighs. The roaring in her blood went faster.
“You want it, Doc.” A few more steps -- a swift, rough motion as he tore off his muscle shirt, his chest and abs gleaming in the dim light. Val followed the line of hair that arrowed to his cock. Throat dry, she swallowed. “I know you want it. Work for it.” His voice was strange -- empty and hot at the same time. She couldn’t figure out what it was but with his scent so close she just gave up. His arms banded around her, her muscles melted into liquid gold. Still, she refused to move.
He turned her so her back pressed against his chest, his breath teasing a shiver on her neck, his cock pressing in her rear. Val felt her pussy creaming, and nearly moaned. Pride kept her silent.
“Come on, Vampyre. Tell me you want it.” A teasing lick over her neck, a nip just at her earlobe. She shivered with his arms around her, drawing in air that suddenly became too thick. His fingers burned through the thin material of her borrowed T-shirt, moved up to mold her breasts, lifted them softly as if testing their weight. His breaths sounded fast and harsh into her ear. A wicked fingertip brushed against a hardened nipple, circled it, rubbing it though the cotton, sweet and sharp. “You want it. Say it.”
She couldn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“You’ll give me the raw component files?”
“You know I won’t.”
“I’ll make you beg.”
“Like hell.” Another pinch followed by a soothing rub. Val couldn’t stop the moan that trembled out. Supported by his weight, her head on his shoulder, he kneaded and pleasured her breasts with patient reverence of one too focused.
Two could play this game. She sighed deep and lush, twisting in his arms until she was eye to eye with him. Keeping hers open, she leaned into his mouth, stung it with a quick and vicious kiss. “What will you do… baby?” She used the term as if a curse. “Fuck the data from me?”
His groan was harsh, his arms swift and furious as he stripped her T-shirt off. There were no sports bras here she could borrow. Without the restraint, her breasts spilled free and heavy. She pushed them into him.
“Come on, Doc.” Something was shoved into her hand, a small device -- his cell phone. “List the components for me.”
She held onto control with fingernails. Slicking a finger in her mouth, she then reached between her thighs, watching with dark satisfaction as his gaze followed. The simple touch over her clit tore another moan from her. His hand was on his zipper.
She prayed he would break first.
Cain watched those long graceful fingers play under the baggy sweats she’d filched from somewhere as she sat down on the bench press, spreading her legs to give him a better view. He moved his hand roughly over his cock, clenching his teeth to hold off the onslaught of pleasure. He’d make her beg before he came. He’d make her beg, and give him everything. He’d hold the control, the power.
A broken moan tore past Val’s lips as she watched him with a hungry gaze, her pink lips moist and swollen as she licked them. Her fingers played over her pussy, he could just picture them as they dipped inside her and circled her clit. He pumped his own cock faster. Rougher.
Her teeth sank into her lower lip. A harsh groan, Cain couldn’t tell if it was his or hers. So close, he forced himself to slow, wanting to watch her get herself off. Her fingers slowed as well.
Dragging warm air through clenched teeth, he reached out to her, slid a single finger inside her pants and inside her moist pussy. Her breathing hastened, she arched toward him while he pumped inside her as he pumped himself. “Come on, Vampyre.” She didn’t answer save for gasps. “Give me that data.” He didn’t even know where his cell had fallen. That siren voice was sweet and dark with need, her moans and gasps driving him crazy. Another pump inside that hot, tight pussy, another stroke of his own hand --
The alarm claxons were deafening and shrill -- the lights flashing red blinding them both. “Shit. We’ve got company.” He couldn’t see her face and yet he knew her eyes were wide and frightened. He couldn’t leave her here. A quick grope on the floor found his T-shirt. Cain shoved it at her. “Let’s go.”
A quick shuffling movement, and she was up, her hand in his. Emergency generators kicked in, bathing them both in a pale, weak light. They ran into the hallway and were met with weapons.
Nonnenberg’s face stretched into a sunny smile. “Hello, old buddy.” A single shot and Cain felt himself being pushed down, his Vampyre screaming for him as iced heat stabbed his body.
Chapter Ten
He didn’t know how long he had been out -- minutes most likely. Cain was surprised to find himself alive -- with burn marks on his chest. That would explain how Nonnenberg had got past the metal scanners. A gun would set off every alarm here. The taser being polycarbonite didn’t elicit even a whisper. As to how the bastard got into the compound without setting off the perimeter alarms, Cain intended to find out -- as soon as he managed to push himself off the goddamned floor.
His body shuddered, his muscles clenched. His Vampyre was gone, and yet he saw no ash in the alarm lights. She must be alive still, though for how long he didn’t know. Holding his arm over his guts, he forced himself to move, to shove his body up and forward until he reached the comps and fell into a chair.
The monitors froze on a cop car, CHP, heading west toward 101. Nonnenberg -- it had to be -- and more than likely, Valentina with him.
Jakob ran in, his cell flipped open in his hand. “What the hell happened?”
Cain didn’t even look at him, just tapped into the zone alerts and cursed. “The perimeter alarm was hacked. And the fucking bastard set a tracer on the hack and let them do their shit until we got their info. Our old friend Nonnenberg.” He rubbed a hand over the burning rashes on his bare chest while Jakob cursed in vile Japanese. “I’m gonna find him.” His voice was grim, his body beyond
tired. He would find Valentina, too. Alive.
* * *
Her body ached as if she’d been pummeled. Nerves, fear, loathing, tears -- all struggled for space inside her stomach. She wondered what it would be like to turn to ash.
The heat mounted; sweat a slimy trickle down her back. With dawn minutes away, she would see the sun in its full glory. She saw the brightening sky through the tinted windows of the cop car, and couldn’t keep her tearing eyes from it even as they burned. Her captor had driven around until he’d finally stopped in this parking lot on the top level, the car positioned so the sun would hit the darkened back windows. It would burn but wouldn’t dust her. Val wondered which was worse.
The man who’d taken her -- Nonnenberg -- sat in the front seat whispering into his cell phone. She could, of course, try to choke him with her handcuffed wrists, or maybe strike with a well-placed palm over his temple. This CHP Camaro had no divider between the front and back, so she could easily reach up and touch him. But then she’d have to sit here until dusk -- or until the sun changed position and shone into the clear windshield in the front. By midday she’d be dust.
This human who had taken her wanted to be immortal -- he’d even laughed because she wasn’t as strong as she could be. Ironically, Val wondered if he knew he was inviting her to take strength from his vein just then. Probably didn’t. She was appalled to find herself contemplating it. How easy would it be then -- her strength tenfold, invincible?
Would that have kept Nick alive? She couldn’t think of him right now. Wouldn’t.
She saw the man’s burning, green eyes in the front mirror. “So you’re Cain’s vamp. Did you turn him?” She shuddered at the thought. Nonnenberg simply chuckled. “We’re the same, me and your lover boy. Both taken by a Vampyre, overpowered. He nearly killed himself with ‘roids trying to prove he could be strong. Me?” A small shrug of the shoulders. From what Val could see in the mirror his face was smeared with recent blood. “I want to become one of them. Or I should say, one of you.”