by Rhea, Lani
“What happened to you?” His eyebrows creased as he examined her arm. Carefully, he peeled her shirtsleeve away from the wound and winced. “Shit. That looks bad. Come on.” He took her by the elbow and led her indoors.
Kris smiled. Let him coddle her; at least there’d be no lecture about her lateness. Inside, after Darin made sure she was comfortable on the couch, he turned to jog off to the kitchen. He returned with her first aid kit—the same one she’d used on him not even the day before. This was becoming a habit.
“Where’s that box? The box with herbs in it?” He set the first aid kit on the couch, next to her leg.
“My room. Under my bed.” Darin left her side, and she snuck a peek at the cut. The deep gash shone with dark blood. The impulse to stick her finger in the hole to stop the bleeding almost overwhelmed her.
He returned and began digging out the bottles.
“I’ll take it from here.”
The movement of his hands stopped. “Why? You healed me. I’ll heal you.”
“It’s okay. I’m capable of healing myself. I’ve done it, alone, for years.”
With one hand, he slid the box over to her. Neither said anything as she administered to her wound, cuts and scrapes. She felt his gaze on her the entire time. Uneasiness crawled under her skin. She was just not used to having anyone around. Maybe she ought to rethink this whole keeping him with her plan. Then, maybe not. He’d be V fodder the next time the sun set.
After she doctored herself, he put the medical supplies away and returned to the couch. “Tell me what happened.”
She did. Afterward, it occurred to her she actually liked sharing the events with someone.
21
Ryant paced the length of his room. He needed to create a plan, be closer to Kris, but how? What would work?
He halted in the center of the room his stocking feet sinking into the plush Italian wool rug. The Knight Lost Loves fundraiser would be tomorrow night. He’d attend the dinner. She would never expect him there. Yes, that would be the perfect plan.
Sparky, attend me.
Ryant continued to pace as he waited for his minion. As he eyed the drink mixes in the corner, he considered the formulated blood. It wouldn’t be enough to tide him over. The blood hunger he possessed intensified, running like flame through his body. But if he drank too much human blood, his powers would increase and he couldn’t let that happen and risk them leaking again next time he saw Kris.
He’d be gentle and take from one human. No more. One human would be enough to appease the thirst that plagued him. The hunger coiled tight, a lump in his chest, to the point of bursting. His throat dried like desert sand, thirsting not for water, but for a lot of blood.
A faint knock came at the door.
Ryant waved, opening the door to allow Sparky to enter. Offering him a smile, Ryant gestured for him to take the seat behind the corner desk.
Sparky walked over and sat. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
“Yes. I have a pressing issue and require your help taking notes.”
Pen in hand, Sparky waited.
“I need you to go to a location I believe may give more information about what Kris is searching for—a house out in the swamps. The address is 1409 Peaks Drive. It’s right outside of New Orleans, about a thirty minute drive northwest of here.”
“Okay. What will I be searching for?”
“Kris inherited the house. You’ll find more information on her family. Family I’m positive she never knew she had. Locate, but leave vital papers out for her to find herself.”
“Why?”
“She is stubborn.”
Sparky nodded. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” Ryant stopped in front of the bookshelf, ran his finger along the legacy book. “I need you to search for Stanley Adams on the net, see if anything new on him has leaked. Call the Throne members. Tell them we have proof, and to visit as soon as they can.”
Sparky turned to the laptop and waved his hand. The machine powered up. One of his unique abilities was to manipulate electrical currents with his mind. He hacked into Kris’s account and searched the criminal database. “Anything specific I should look for?” He stared at the screen.
“No, keep looking, and when you’re done, find me the best suit for an event I plan to attend. I need you to cover for me while I’m with Kris.”
“I see a sheriff has asked for her help on finding Stanley.”
Ryant froze. Kris hadn’t mentioned the assignment. “Good. This means she’ll be searching for him no matter what. No more excuses from her.” He strolled to the window to look outside. Darkness overtook the city; time to feed. “Keep looking. I’ll be back in a few hours. If anything else shows, contact my friend, Syth Zaky, in Texas.”
After leaving his quarters inside Club Fifteen, he exited the building in search of blood.
* * * *
Kris arose early with the sun and showered as normal, taking her time around the wound. The hole had shrunk to the size of a writing pen tip. Wouldn’t be long before it was gone completely.
With a lot of business to take care of before the foundation event this evening, she went straight for her closet. She fingered a bright, royal blue dress, imagining the color would go great against her tanned complexion and make her blue eyes pop. She wanted to look nice.
Concerns about the event floated through her mind. Had she given enough time and effort to make it a success? The day pressed on with thoughts of how tonight would go down as she finished last minute preparations.
Night fell fast, and as more people poured into the event venue, Kris grew antsy. The love deep inside her heart ached for the people who’d lost loved ones in Katrina or in any other tragic way. Beyond happy with the turnout filling the room to near capacity, the outpouring of funds to help her continue made her ecstatic.
As she sat behind a table with a huge banner reading Knight Lost Loves, she wrote receipts for those who asked. Everything had turned out beautifully. She couldn’t have asked for a more productive event. She was going to have more than enough money to keep going for the next three years at least.
Glancing around the room, she spied Darin. He moved from one person to the next, rubbing shoulders with a few who attended these types of events as often they changed their socks. He made her proud, and she smiled. Maybe the regulars would donate more with him making the rounds. It sounded greedy, she already had a lot, but the money went to a good cause.
“You have done such a wonderful job with this event, Ms. Knight.” An elderly lady on the other side of the table leaned forward as she spoke.
Kris turned her attention to the woman, who held out a fifty-dollar bill in her fragile hand.
“Thank you,” Kris said as she accepted the money. “This dinner means a lot to me. It’s my way of giving back to the community.” If only the woman knew how she’d lost her loved ones, then she’d have an idea of how much this event affected Kris.
The woman dug into her wallet, withdrawing a one hundred dollar bill. Then the lady stuffed both bills in the jar. Kris smiled. “Thank you so much. Would you like a receipt?”
Waving, the woman replied, “No dear, this comes from my heart too.” She nodded and ambled to the refreshment table.
Kris wrote the donation down to keep track of the funds. A wad of cash landed on the paper she worked over. She glanced at the pile and fought to keep her mouth from dropping open with shock. She looked up. With a divine smile that lit up his face, Ryant stood over her.
Handsome as ever, full of thriving life, his flushed face made her heart skip a beat. “This is the other half of the money, plus more. I thought you deserved it for putting together this great event.” He peered around the room, and turned slowly back to her. Tawny eyes with a sunburst center gazed at her with warmth and hunger before he shuttered the expression then stuffed both hands in his pants pockets.
“What are you doing here?” Even as her fingers itched to snatch up the money, she held
fast.
“I’ve given you more than that woman who just gave you a couple of bills. I’m entitled to be here.”
Kris narrowed her eyes. “She gave from the heart.”
Ryant raised a brow and placed a hand over his heart. “As do I.”
“But you have an ulterior motive. And I never said I would help you.”
“Oh, I know you will. I want Stanley before the sheriff.”
How does he know I was contacted?
“I have my ways. You can’t hide anything from me.”
His arrogant response wouldn’t affect her. She knew he tried his best, looking devilishly handsome. A warm, cinnamon scent swirled around her. Was it from Ryant or the white chocolate cinnamon cookies? She preferred the cookies.
He chuckled and she flashed a glare at him. “I’m also here for the wine,” he continued as he obviously planned to ignore her thoughts. As he turned to look around the room, she noticed the exact moment he saw Darin. Ryant stiffened and his lips pressed into a thin line. He inhaled. “I see you brought the human.”
“Yes, I did. Is that a problem?” Tilting back her head, she studied Ryant and waited to see what he would do. “Don’t think you will ruin this event for me.”
“I plan to do nothing.”
Kris crossed her forearms beneath her breasts, resting her arms on the table. “If you do anything, anything at all, I will make sure you pay the price.”
Ryant leaned forward, closer, just inches from her. “I will not do such a thing.” His tawny eyes held a gleam. His stare deepened, turning a warm shade of gold which filled her with a burning fire of need.
Not bothering to ask what he had done, Kris only gazed into his eyes. She didn’t take her sight off him even when her mind went blank. A tranquilizing effect quivered slowly through her body, settling in her toes. The warm sensation took her to a beach with blue waves washing onto a brilliant white shoreline. The scent of coconut filled her senses.
When she leaned closer, she could see her eyes reflected in his dark gold ones and she watched her glassy blues slowly turn a glowing gold, mimicking his. How could her eyes turn a different color?
Darin cleared his throat.
A few seconds passed before she shook her head and looked in his direction. She hadn’t seen him come up next to her.
His eyes narrowed. “Are you all right, Kris?”
She smiled. “Sure. I’m fine. Why?”
Look at me, Kris. She did. Ryant grinned. His stare was kind and his face relaxed.
“Kris, look at me,” Darin’s voice was low.
No, only look at me. Ryant’s voice echoed once more. She did as he commanded and placed both hands on the table and leaned toward him, longing for the press of his mouth against hers.
She jumped at the touch of a hand covering hers. “Kris?”
Shaking her head clear from the fog, she looked at Darin. His brown eyes watched her with concern. “I’m fine. Come on. I think you need a break.” She stood. A waiter passed just then. With a frown at Ryant, she snagged a drink from the tray. “Here. You need a drink.”
Ignoring the hurt in his eyes, she got her own drink then grabbed Darin’s hand, pulling him with her to the terrace. The fresh, crisp night blew away the cobwebs in her mind, pushing aside Ryant’s affect on her. What the hell had happened? He’d never been able to mesmerize her like that.
“Kris, are you okay?”
She gave Darin a slight grin and inhaled long, even draws of air deep into her lungs as she kneaded her temples. “I believe so.”
“What was that all about?”
“I really don’t know. One minute I’m warning Ryant and the next, I’m drooling over him.” She swallowed hard. Her loss of control freaked her out. What else could the bastard do?
“Do you need to go home?”
“No. I have to be here to see the fundraiser through. It’s important to me.”
“Okay, well, I’m here for you. Don’t forget that.”
I’m here for you too. Ryant’s low voice weaved through her mind like a cool, shallow brook after a spring rainfall.
She closed her eyes and took in a shuddering breath.
Do you feel me, Kris? Over you, in you?
She did and didn’t know what to do. Her body hummed with sensation of his hands moving over her body, almost as if he were there in front of her.
There you go. Feel me, let me touch you. Become mine once again.
His once again? What did he try to pull? She could never allow him to know she had emotions for him. Or about the love that had crept back into her heart.
You love me?
Great.
I can now hear you no matter what, my love.
Kris looked at Darin. “We have to go back inside. I need to auction off the raffle for a free service before the last dance begins.” Ryant, stay out of my head, she growled.
I can’t promise that.
Back inside, she raffled off the prize for a private investigation and the winner accepted with pride and asked for a picture. Through the camera flashes from the local press, Darin stood to the right of the room by the exit, and Ryant stood to the left by the DJ.
Applause filled the room after the last photo. A familiar song played over the loud speakers—You’re Still the One. Couples poured onto the dance floor for the slow dance.
As she moved away from the winner, Ryant was at the bottom of the stage, his hand outstretched. The wicked smile on his lips told her he knew she couldn’t refuse in a room full of people. She placed her hand in his and smiled back. Could the crowd see the fakeness?
He twirled her to the middle of the floor as if they were the only ones left in the whole room. He mouthed the words, You’re still the one that I love, the only one I dream of. Leaning down, he placed a light kiss on her lips.
She pulled back her head and stared at him in amazement. A public display of affection? From Ryant? He’d never done so before, believing that what went on between two people needed to stay private. But the kiss? Why would he want witnesses? The realization dawned on her. Not them, he wanted to make Darin witness the display. A freaking show of ownership; not anything real.
“Are you sure about that?”
“What do you mean?”
“I can feel the love surrounding you. You’re so hardheaded. I know you love me.”
“I sure as hell don’t want to show or say it.”
They continued swaying as other couples moved around them.
“Just admit it.”
“No.” The song slowed, neared the end, meaning she’d have her freedom.
Admit it. His low voice rumbled through her mind.
Kris glared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I won’t lose you. Come stay at my place tonight. The human will be fine on his own.”
The song ended. Thank the gods. She didn’t care that he heard her. She slipped out of Ryant’s hold. “Ryant, you have to leave now. I can’t have you here. You’re distracting me, and it isn’t doing me any good.”
“You’re not safe without me. The human can’t do anything to protect you. He can do nothing for you.”
The scent of charcoal fluttered in the air with the southern breeze. Kris glanced around, trying to locate the point of the smell. Her nerves would never rest until the last Soulscape was banished into their cozy boxes under the ground where they belonged.
“You smell them too,” he said. “I’m sure they’re close, keeping a watchful eye on you. Waiting to snag you.”
“The event is winding down, and I need you to leave. I’ll be okay for the remainder of the evening. They are not going to do anything with this many people around. They don’t want humans knowing about the preternatural anymore than we do.”
Ryant took hold of one of her brown locks, smoothed his fingers over the strands to the ends. His gaze moved up to the barrette. “Is that the piece I bought you many decades ago?”
She bit her bottom lip. “Yes.”
“You treasure the piece as much as I treasure you?”
“I like the piece. It’s a touch of the past.”
“The past that involved me?”
How could she answer that question? She threw her hands up in the air and gazed off to the left of the statues. She didn’t have time for this reunion, rehashing their past. There were other things at stake, big things.
Ryant tugged her curl until she faced him. His expression held love, how he felt for her now very clear. Even though she didn’t want to read more into it, she couldn’t help but study his face. At the familiar planes and strong lines and the sunburst lighting up already bright eyes. His gaze held concern as he asked, “You really want me to leave?”
“Yes.”
“Kiss me.”
Hunger flowed through her as she stared at his mouth. Resistance waned and she licked her lips. The beast stirred. If she kissed him, what would happen next?
Ah hell. Like she had with Darin, but with an entirely different reason and purpose, she grabbed Ryant’s hand and pulled him after her. Once on the terrace, she made sure no one was around then clasped his shoulders and dragged him against her until her lips captured his.
He cupped her ass, lifted and gripped her against his body, into the very obvious hunger he had for her. He swept deep into her mouth and she sucked on his tongue, satisfied when he moaned. A mind-numbing haze took over when he lowered his mouth to her neck, lightly pricked her skin with his teeth then the warm moistness of his tongue glided over the punctures. This was the first time since their current reunion she had let him taste her blood. The feeling was erotic. He brought out her old self, young and free to be with him. Unchained, and able to release the beast inside her.
What was she thinking?
Moving her neck from the intoxication of his lips, Kris pushed him. “There’s your kiss. Please leave.”
He leaned down to give the wound a final lick, and she stepped back. His head hung low over the now vacant spot he’d been devouring. He licked the last essence of her from his lips.
“I’ve got to go count the money.” Not saying goodbye, she turned and walked away.