by Lynn Rush
“Jake,” she screamed.
She skidded to his side and knelt, facing him. Although she was directly in front of him, he didn’t seem able to focus on her.
“Jake?” she whispered. He must be in shock or something. “Where’s Marek?”
Jake blinked and shifted his gaze down slightly. “He ran.”
The tension gripping his face softened as the light of recognition clicked on. Emma analyzed his face, every curve. Amber flecks in his bright, brown eyes flickered.
“Jake. Are you hurt?”
“My arm.” His voice cracked.
Her gaze drifted to where his mark had been. A hollow circle, resembling a ring, replaced the Avenos’s brand. The weaving strands of ink down his arm met at the base of his wrist and formed a thick line, from which there was an arrow, pointing to the one o’clock hour had it been on a clock.
The mark of Power.
THIRTY THREE
“You were right, Em,” Jake’s heart thumped so hard, his chest ached. Yet it felt good. Bursting with happiness. Emma had saved him.
She smiled. Her violet eyes sparkled, rocking his world.
He sat back on his heels, holding himself steady with the edge of the concrete slab. Oh, God. Emma had been attached to that. He’d bitten her.
Bile rose. “Em. I’m—”
She leapt at him. Cool arms snaked around his neck, and she squeezed, stealing the air from his lungs. Light kisses touched his neck, and she nuzzled her face in his hair. “I almost lost you, Jake.”
He stood, taking her with him, and leaned against the concrete, cradling his treasure. “I love you, Em.” She hadn’t given up on him. Was prepared to kill him so he wouldn’t have to face a life of vampirism. “I love you so much.”
Her body quaked and wet tears streamed down his neck. She gasped. “Wait. Ava.”
Jake released Emma, and she slid down the front of him. “Come on.”
He’d seen them. But where? Everything was such a haze. Like a wicked nightmare. He motioned her toward the door leading up stairs.
A quick pause to check, and it was clear. Dark, but clear.
“You know where they are?” Emma asked.
“Not for sure, but like you’ve mentioned before, I’m kind of going on Instinct right now.”
“Like how you shot the crossbow.”
“Pretty much.” Images of how to use the mystical weapon flashed in his mind seconds before he shot those bolts. How to click things into place, aim, and land targets home. Exactly where to aim.
“Not fair. It took me over a year to master that thing.”
They reached the top step and Jake cracked open the door. It spilled into a bright, yellow painted kitchen. But again, clear. “Where’d all the party people go?”
Emma stepped beside him, dagger drawn. “Good question. My wrist is silent, though. Vamps are gone.”
Jake sighed with relief that he wasn’t triggering her wrist. That was so close. He ran his tongue over his teeth, happy to find them smooth. No pointy edges.
But the metallic taste coating his tongue triggered his gag reflex again. He pooled saliva at the base of his mouth and spit.
Emma edged the door open. The hinges creaked, and she tensed beside him. “I hope Ava’s okay.”
“We’ll find her.”
“It’s going to be one hell of a mind-wipe.”
Jake chuckled as he led them out the door. He veered left. “Em, can you call me that crossbow again?”
“Try it yourself. Think real hard about it, then say the name. Out loud or in your head. Either will work.”
Jake stopped, held out his hand and said, “Crossbow.”
Nothing.
A glass crashed against tile nearby. A hallway, maybe, up ahead. He glanced around and took in the kitchen. Tall, yellow walls led up to a cathedral ceiling. They sure liked tall around here.
A massive, marble-topped center island filled the space in front of a set of stainless steel appliances. Further back was a row of windows overlooking darkness. If he remembered, there was at least a football field’s length of grass out there.
“Crossbow,” Emma whispered. “Here. We’ll practice later.”
The sleek weapon fell into his palm, and he checked the magazine of bolts. Something dropped into his back pocket. “Spare mag. Ten bolts each. Make them count.”
Jake hugged the wall as he inched toward the doorway leading into the hallway, or maybe into the foyer. Muffled noises, then a grunt.
He peeked around the corner, one arm out, holding Emma back. Ava rolled around on the floor, mouth gagged, hands pinned behind her back.
“Ava!” Emma rushed around Jake, reaching for her friend, yet keeping her dagger up, just in case.
Ever the Hunter, even when the wrist was quiet.
“Where’s Greg?” Jake asked. He moved ahead of the two and looked up the spiral staircase. All seemed quiet. What happened?
“What the hell is going on?” Ava’s shrill voice sliced the air. “Where’s Greg?”
“Okay. Ava. Calm down.” Emma jerked her into a hug. Jake shook his head, indicating no sign of Greg.
“They freaking yanked me out of the bedroom they’d thrown me in after you went into that theater place. Shit. Then dragged me down the stairs about ten minutes ago and tossed me on the ground.”
Jake joined Emma’s side. “They left you?”
“Some big guy, Marek? I heard someone yell his name. He came storming through and ordered everyone out.” Ava patted her shirt down and her hair. “Greg was right behind me.” She made for the stairs. “Greg.”
“Why would everyone up and leave?” Jake asked. “Doesn’t make sense.”
“Sorry to say this, but it makes perfect sense to me.”
Jake looked down at Emma.
“They’re regrouping. There’s going to be a shit-storm now since you didn’t turn, making their super-magical, all-powerful trinity.”
“Greg!” Ava’s voice cracked. “Emma, hurry.”
She took the stairs by two and Jake followed close. At the top, they found Greg lying on his side.
“Em. He’s bleeding.” Ava leaned over him. “Greg.” Ava pushed the hair from his face. Blood trickled from his ear.
“Hospital. Now.” Emma knelt beside him.
“Call 911,” Ava said.
Jake shook his head. “We don’t want cops crawling around this place. Shit. I don’t have my car.”
“You do, actually. I kinda stole it and followed you out here.”
“Go. Go. Go.” Ava slapped at Emma’s shoulder. “Get it. Mine’s here somewhere, but I can’t find anything of mine. No purse, cell, keys. Hurry, before I have a complete and total meltdown on what I’ve seen here tonight. Seriously, Em.”
“Jake. Get him downstairs and out front.” She handed him the dagger as she stood. “Here. This is easier. Shove it in your pocket. Give me the bow.”
He snagged her arm. “No. We go together.”
“Hunter, remember?”
“I also remember you on that concrete slab. So don’t spew I’m a Hunter to me, Em.” He’d just woken from a Vampire-induced fog, chosen Love, and Emma was safe. No way would he risk that now. He wasn’t leaving her side.
“Give me the damn knife and both of you go.” Ava stood, reaching for the weapon in Jake’s hand. Greg moaned. “Hurry.”
“Come on.”
Within thirty seconds, they were down the stairs and out into the midnight air. “Where is it?”
“Off the road, a quarter mile from here. Keys are in it, though, so let’s hope it’s still there.” She bolted to the left and into the thicket.
Clouds had rolled in, blotting out the moon and stars. Yet, Jake saw with surprising clarity.
“I have to say, Jake. The Cunninghams as parents kick ass compared to the Avenos pair. And I haven’t even met the Cunninghams.”
“No disagreements there.” Jake glanced behind him. Only a dark void as they moved deeper into the woo
ds. “Where are we?”
“North of town. That’s all I know. Nice, isolated place, though, don’t you think? Damn Vamps.” She poked at her neck. “Sharp teeth, too.”
Jake winced. He’d caused that wound. His teeth. He’d tasted her blood. Twice now. His gut churned.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be healed up soon.” She tossed a look over her shoulder. “So what’s their scoop?”
“Two months after I was born, a monk stole me away from Rosa. He hid me at a monastery in Rome for a while. The Avenos family tracked him down years later, but he’d already sent me to America. They tortured him, but he never broke. Never divulged anything.” He cleared his throat. “They killed him, of course.”
“Damn Vamps.” Emma veered to the right. “Up this way.”
“According to Rosa, she and Marek searched for years, using all their resources but were never able to find me. Probably because I jumped from foster home to foster home.” For once, being lost in the system and growing up in crappy group homes paid off.
“How did they find you? All of a sudden.”
“As my time drew near, the pull between us strengthened. Like a homing beacon. They sensed me near, kept researching, and found the Cunninghams adopted me.”
“Well, stupid Dylan and Cynthia helped, too. I’m sure.” Emma stopped. “The Cunninghams. Oh, God. We have to protect them. What if—”
“They’re alive. No harm has come to them. I made Rosa promise.”
“Like they’re going to keep a promise, Jake.”
“First Greg, then we’ll check on them.” He urged her forward.
“I’m so going to kill your parents, Jake.”
“Em, they’re over two-hundred-and-fifty years old. Strong. They have some mind control or something.” He punched a tree trunk as he ran by. “I couldn’t resist them.”
“Yeah. Well. You’ve denied them. Jake. You chose Love.”
“I chose you, Em. You.” He’d always choose her.
A sizzling tingle zipped up his arm, over his shoulder, and slammed into his chest. The world tilted, and his shoulder rammed into a pine tree. One revolution, and he fell to the ground.
“Jake.” Emma whirled, her wrist ablaze. “Oh. My. God.”
In the next breath, Jake realized why. A bright orange glow encased his arm. The black ink imprinted his skin morphed into a fiery glow. The light bounced off the surrounding trees.
Too bad it illuminated six Vamps encroaching from all directions.
THIRTY FOUR
A hand slammed into Emma’s back. She pushed off a tree and whirled, aiming her crossbow.
Click.
Dust.
“Em.” Jake launched a Vamp into the air.
Emma clicked. More dust. A growl from behind her demanded her attention. Two Vamps charged. A quick click got one, but the other landed a solid hit to her already bruised cheek.
A steel bat would have hurt less.
It dropped her to the ground, and the Vamp jumped on top of her, fangs bared. She bucked, but the weight was too much for her position.
Jake rammed into the Vamp, and they rolled off Emma. She hopped to her feet, “Crossbow.”
But a plume of dust ignited below Jake. He held his hand back as if he’d stabbed the Vamp. But no dagger. Ava had that.
She scanned the area. All clear.
The orange glow emanating from Jake’s entire arm faded.
“Now that’s going to be tough to hide. There isn’t a watch big enough for that one.” She reached for him. “How’d you—”
He held up a bolt. “Sorry, but I kind of ripped open your spare magazine of bolts you shoved in my pocket.”
“Hey, whatever works.” She hoisted him up. “You got the rest of the Vamps?”
He smiled. “Trained by the best.”
“I would so tackle you to the ground and kiss you silly right now, but we have to get back to Ava and Greg.” Emma turned a circle, working to orient herself. “This way.”
“Okay. But I’m taking a rain check on the kissing silly.”
“Deal.” She took off running.
So, Jake had the glowing arm, strength, and eyes. With any luck, they’d have a breather to figure this out before the shit-storm rained. Instinct told her Rosa and Marek weren’t going to be too happy with what happened.
Especially with Emma.
Yep. This might get ugly.
***
“Here, almost cleaned up.” Jake swiped the medicated gauze against Emma’s neck. She swore the fire of Hades burned through her veins. “I’m so sorry, Em.”
Sorrow-filled, chocolate eyes peeked out at her from beneath thick, black lashes. She sat on the bathroom counter, next to the sink at her dorm, the perfect height to be face-to-face. She cupped his warm cheeks and held him steady. “It’s okay, Jake,” she whispered. “You’re safe, that’s all that matters. I’m tough. I’ll heal quick.”
She nipped at his bottom lip. “If you’re a Hunter now, glowing arm and all, I wonder why you still feel warm to me.”
“All I know is you feel warm now. It’s kind of nice,” Jake said.
She leaned back as he taped on a band-aid and tossed the gauze into the drawer.
He reached in and pulled out a thermometer. “Should we check for sure?”
Emma snatched it from his hand. “74.7. Let’s see if you’re cold.”
She popped the tool into his mouth and started kissing her way along his neck. His pulse throbbed against her lips. Warm, indeed. Hopefully, that wouldn’t change. She craved it, was addicted, and hours earlier, thought she’d lost it.
Hell, she’d tried to kill him. That was almost worse than him biting her.
His hands skimmed up her thighs, and he parted her legs with his waist. That started a little fire, a hair south of her belly button. He looked so cute with the thermometer sticking out from his mouth.
She snaked her arms around his waist and rested them on his firm backside. One tight hug brought her to the end of the counter and right into him. Jeans separated them, but she still felt every bit of him.
And she liked it.
She nipped at his neck, and his grip tightened.
The thermometer beeped.
“You were trying to spike my temperature, weren’t you?”
She looked up, and his mouth claimed hers with a bruising kiss. He stayed attached to her for a long time before she pulled away for breath. “What’s the thing say?”
“Couldn’t care less right now. I’ve been wanting to kiss you like that since we left Ava and Greg at the hospital.”
She coiled her legs around his waist and hooked her feet together. A zing of heat shot up through her core, and she bit back a moan. She leaned to the side and swiped the thermometer from his hand. “74.7, on the nose.”
“I really am a Hunter, aren’t I?” He combed her hair from her face and kissed her eyelids. “Really.”
“I’d venture a big yes on that.”
He tilted her head to the side and suckled her earlobe. “I’m almost scared to believe it.”
“You read my mind. But, Jake, you chose. Your mark is gone. It’s something new. And big.” She chased her hands up his arms, outlining the contours of his muscles. “You’re strong.”
“Ava’s staying with Greg in the hospital, right?” His steamy breath whispered into her. “All night?”
She gulped and managed a nod. He traced his finger along the curve of her shirt collar and down between her breasts, then around her backside.
She fisted her hands in his hair and brought his face to hers. He met her with a spark of energy and dove right in. Her body warmed at his touch, and she tightened her grip with her legs. His hands grazed around her butt and up the front of her.
“This shirt is ruined, right? That blood won’t come off?”
Her pulse roared like a river through her body. “Ruined.”
Rip.
Right down the front, he split the shirt. Leaving her open to him. He slid t
he fabric over her shoulders, kissing a trail over her skin until the ruined cloth was in the sink.
He reached behind him and pulled his shirt over his head. Forged from steel came to mind at the sight of his heaving chest. She palmed his sculpted pecs, and he leaned in for more of her mouth.
She got lost in his warmth. Rested in the comfort of knowing she truly wasn’t alone any longer. He was a Hunter. Her Hunter. A flash of him leaning toward her, fanged out, biting her, ignited in her mind. His moaning at the ingestion of her blood.
A shiver sliced down her spine.
“What?” He leaned back, his swollen lips shining. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” She took control of his mouth again.
In the next breath, he hoisted her from the countertop and moved into the main room. The soft mattress met her back, and his weight on her triggered a heat storm through her stomach and around her spine.
“Jake,” she whispered.
He found a steady rhythm with his kisses and his body movements. He hit every trigger on her, and she approached the edge of the cliff. He eased down, kissing a trail to her belly button.
“Jake, wait.”
“It’s okay, Em. Not all the way.” His tongue teased her innie. “Just need to feel you close. To touch you. You can trust me.”
“I do.” She arched her back, and he worked his way back to her mouth. “With my everything.”
“I love you.” He settled between her legs again with a heightened sense of urgency.
Sweet, loving words chased her over the ledge and into the haze. She’d needed this as much as he did. The love. The connection. She’d almost lost him. He was tricked, deceived into believing a lie. Almost becoming something he despised.
But he was safe, alive, and a Hunter.
“Em,” Jake whispered.
She opened her eyes, and his swirled like dark and milk chocolate melting together. He’d eased off her and propped his head up with one hand, while the other rested on her bare stomach, branding her his, like the marks on their wrists.
Marks of the Hunter.
“Sorry. Got lost there a second.”
He kissed her nose. “Me, too. Thank you for trusting me. I needed you, to touch you.”