by Connie Wood
She squinted into the hall, her eyes attempting to adjust to the semi-darkness after the brightness of the room behind her as she shut the door on its light and comfort.
Ancient looking sconces adorned the intricately carved walls; they were up high enough to illuminate the hall, but left the ground in semi shadow. Lea suppressed a shiver and tried to quell her sense of foreboding.
Near a small alcove on the opposite side of the massive room, Rin stood with his back toward her. He was the only man she knew, so Lea made her way in his direction. His back was stiff and ridged and his curt voice echoed on a whisper.
“It is my duty and I shall fulfill it,” he said to some unknown figure hidden amongst the shadows.
As she neared, he turned on his heel to face her, his broad shoulders blocking her view beyond the opening of the alcove. Lea stood on tip-toe and tried to peer into the darkness. There were too many secrets and things she didn’t understand and she’d be damned if anyone was going to try and keep her in the dark any longer.
“Is there a problem?” Rin asked, his head bowed in respect.
“Hell yes, there’s a problem,” Lea spat, his kind attitude nearly breaking her. “I mean, thank you for saving me. But you told me you knew Dane and you’d give me some answers and all I’ve gotten is shoved into a little room and forgotten about.”
“I did not shove you,” he said indignantly. “And you have not been forgotten about,” he added in a gentler tone. “I did offer you answers, but I am only permitted to disclose certain amounts of information.” He spoke very formally, as if English was his second language. Considering his Japanese appearance, it probably was.
Rin looked up at her and she was struck by how stunningly handsome the man was. He was immaculately dressed and groomed, though there was an aura of untamed power just below the surface. His deep brown eyes showed a depth of emotion that almost scared her and she knew he was being sincere.
“Information about what? I don’t understand what’s going on.”
Rin gazed at her a moment longer before he started to walk slowly across the hall. Lea kept pace with him, waiting for the answers that she so desperately needed. On impulse, she looked back and glanced into the alcove they just left. It was a black hole of nothingness and her agitation went up a notch.
“How do you know Dane?” she asked, not waiting for an answer to her previous question when she was sure it would never come.
“He assisted us with a problem about a month ago.”
“The massacre,” Lea whispered, quickly doing the math in her head.
Rin nodded.
“He assisted,” she repeated. “So he’s a good guy?”
She stopped as Rin halted in front of her and she waited for his answer. Perhaps the most important answer of all. He looked conflicted as he contemplated her question. Lea’s heart pounded hard, ripping nervous energy throughout her body. She searched his eyes and saw the truth in them even before he nodded.
Lea sighed in relief. The part of her that knew Dane from her dreams, knew without a doubt he was good. But having it confirmed by a flesh-and-blood man went a long way to reassure her.
“What is he? Is he a man or a polar bear?” For a moment embarrassed heat warmed her face asking that question, but then remembered Rin had referred to Dane as a bear earlier. “For a while, I thought he was a figment of my imagination, but he can’t be if you know him as well.”
“I am afraid I cannot answer what he is, that is not for me to tell you.” Rin said.
“Then what are you?” Lea asked shrewdly.
A smile lifted Rin’s lips and amusement lightened his eyes. “I am a protector.”
“Protector from what?”
“From legends and creatures of darkness,” he answered.
Lea laughed, until she looked up into his face and realized he was serious. “Okay,” she said sardonically. “This is getting stranger by the minute.”
“Life is like that.”
She looked around the hall and noticed the dark silhouettes of men standing guard at the entrance. She had the strange feeling that she’d stepped out of the pot and into the fire. The day certainly had been stressful and terrifying. But the fact she was now in a strange place, with a man she hardly knew and there were men everywhere guarding who-knew-what scared her even more.
“What is this place?” Lea asked, tearing her gaze away from the guards at the door.
“A headquarters, of sorts,” answered Rin. He stopped his slow gait and turned to face her. “I do apologize that I cannot give you all the answers you require. However, I am at your service to escort you safely to your home.”
“I don’t want to be escorted home, I want some answers.” Lea shook her head. “I need some answers. I feel like I’m losing my mind, people are attacking me. I’m seeing things. And I know you’ve been following me.” She pinned him with a gimlet stare. He held her gaze without an ounce of shame or denial in his eyes.
“I do my duty,” Rin replied.
“Duty to whom? I’m sick of everyone seeming to know what’s going on and I know nothing. Why did you stick me in a room, promise me answers and now just send me away with nothing?” Nervous tension turned her stomach as her agitation started to rise. Automatically, her hand went up to her pendant before she remembered it was still missing.
“It must be very frustrating being kept in the dark when other people’s actions affect your life.” Rin reached out and briefly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I understand. But I am unable to give you any other answers. I was led to believe I had sanction to give you a certain amount of information. I have now been informed that approval has now been removed. My apologies for your inconvenience. Please allow me to escort you home.”
“No. I’ll take her.”
Rin spun toward the door, his hand swept across his body and gripped a sword that had been hidden under his long black coat.
Lea’s heart accelerated in an instant at the words. She knew it was Dane, the deep vibrations of his voice trembled through to her core and made her shiver. She was half afraid to turn around, what if his voice was in her head? Lea closed her eyes briefly and allowed herself the quick luxury of completely feeling the reaction her body had to the sound of his voice. It flowed through her like molten metal, warming her senses, making her languid and relaxed, yet heightened and on edge at the same time.
Part of her didn’t want to move. What if he wasn’t there and it was like the other times and he only existed to her in her dreams? Lea glanced at Rin, his dark eyes shrewd, his hand still steadfast on the hilt of his sword.
She turned toward the voice she knew so well and her stomach twisted.
The man in her dreams stood in the doorway, highlighted by the street lights streaming in from outside. She quickly registered the man standing next to him. But all her attention was magnetically drawn to Dane. Everything about him was the same as she recalled. Everything from his smoldering ebony eyes, the masculine hard lines of his face to the rippling muscles that were obvious even under the dark blue polo shirt and jeans he wore.
She swallowed, her throat suddenly parched. In the flesh, he was devastating. Lea realized this was the first time she saw him in person. And she was glad she’d met him in her dreams first. The aura he resonated was so extreme there was no way she could have breached it in real life. He seemed to overpower everything and consume all around him until there was nothing left but him.
Without thinking, Lea stepped toward him. Rin’s hand flew out and grasped her shoulder, stilling her. A low deep growl resonated throughout the hall and Lea’s stomach twisted once again, only this time a tinge of fear accompanied it. Dane hadn’t moved a muscle, but the warning was clear. Rin’s fingers bit into her flesh as he tightened his grip on her shoulder. Why, she didn’t understand. Now that Dane was finally here, every concern she ever had regarding him disappeared. There was no longer any doubt about him being real, or his intentions.
Her onl
y fear was how to guard her heart against him until she had all of her questions answered. There was something different about him, something animalistic and it drew her to him. But was he a man that had found his way into her dreams or was he what she dreamed, both a man and an animal made flesh?
Chapter Eight
Dane scanned the hall and sensed more than saw the guards gathering along the edges of the walls. The first two guards at the door had been easily disposed of. Though he didn’t kill them, he’d been tempted. He was here for one reason and that was to claim his woman, Lea.
He turned his attention back to her and saw her eyes widen as she finally turned to look at him. His heart squeezed in his chest, a rush of emotion swept through him, the likes of which he had never experienced. The look she gave him made him feel more like a man than the animal he was so used to being. It made him feel stronger, but also weak somehow. Like she had a power over him, one he had never before considered.
Lea took a step toward him and for an instant he felt elated. Until a wave of jealous fury rushed over him as the venator clasped one hand on her shoulder to stop her and his other hand firmly on his weapon. He growled low in his throat and fought the desire to transform and simply rip Rin’s heart out.
Beside him, Darius stiffened as two guards, their swords drawn approached them, emerging from the darkened shadows of the hall. With a sneer of disgust, Darius turned to face the men.
Dane began to move when he felt two more guards advance from behind. He turned on his heel just as one of the men readied his sword to strike him in the back. Appalled, Dane snarled and blocked the arc of the blade with his massive forearm.
“Coward,” he growled between clenched teeth. With an enormous palm strike to the chest, the guard’s sternum fractured with a sickening crack. He flew backward and slid along the slate flagstones back into the shadows he came from.
A dead weight hit him from the side, knocking him off balance. He looked down as of one of the guards fell to the floor at his feet.
“Sorry, Cousin,” Darius called as he went to engage the other guard. He looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Dane hissed as a blow to his shoulder knocked him off balance, he staggered sideways before planting his feet wide apart in a warrior’s stance. Annoyed, he blocked the next hit and reached out and grabbed the man by the throat. He lifted the man in the air, tensing his strong fingers around his scrawny throat.
He heard a gasp of terrified horror and for the first time felt a wave of shame at what he was. Dane turned and saw the look of fear on Lea’s face. He dropped the guard in an instant, the man crouching on the ground gasping for breath.
“Enough.”
The call echoed through the hall. There was a command in the voice that made everyone stop and obey. To Dane’s surprise, even Darius complied.
A man emerged from the depths of the shadows, walked around the bodies on the ground and went to stand next to Lea and Rin. He towered over each of them, even Dane.
Dane saw Lea shrink backward and he wanted to go and comfort her. But would she shrink away from him as well?
Darius came to stand beside Dane, providing a united front.
“Tithe,” Dane greeted.
“Dane. Darius.” Tithe nodded to each.
Darius just nodded.
“This is a sacred hall. Lately it’s becoming a drop-in center for every man and their dog.” Tithe stepped toward Dane and Darius and crossed his arms across his chest. “Why do you fight in my hall?” he asked, with a hint of steel to his voice.
“Your men started it.” Dane gestured toward the men on the ground before looking Tithe in the face. “You know what I’m here for.”
Dane knew beyond a doubt that Tithe would know why he was here. His power and leadership were legendary. And even though he was technically the enemy, Dane harbored a great deal of respect for the man.
“I do know why you are here. But it’s up to the woman.” Tithe gestured to Lea standing just behind him. Her confusion was evident.
Rin stepped in front of her, his hand firm on the hilt of his sword, a sneer of disgust the only emotion he betrayed before he shielded himself, making his face stoic.
Anger coursed through Dane and he fought for control not to turn into a bear, rip through all those standing in his way and take Lea back to his den. It was what the animal in him demanded he do. But his human half tried to force logic into the situation. Both sides of his nature fought for supremacy. Neither won, but he couldn’t control the growl that escaped his lips as he took a step toward Rin, ready to do battle if need be.
“Rin protected the human on my orders. He saved her when you were unable to do so.” Tithe moved closer but stayed out of arms reach. Whether being cautious or respectful, Dane didn’t know. “You spill Rin’s blood, then you spill mine.”
Darius stepped forward and stopped by Dane’s side. Dane knew together they would be almost unstoppable. But he hadn’t come here for bloodshed. He came here for Lea. She stood there, behind and slightly to the left of the venator. He could feel her fear and uncertainty. She caught his gaze and her golden brown eyes widen, but she lifted her chin almost defiantly. He felt her heartbeat pounding intensely and he wanted nothing more than to calm and soothe her.
With great difficulty he tore his gaze from Lea and glanced at Rin. Dane knew he was a good man, similar to the venator Tynan. Both had a respect for the enemy and the rules. And Dane, almost grudgingly, respected them both. Rin had kept Lea safe when Dane was unable to be there. The idea bought bile to his throat, but without his assistance, Lea could have been dead by now.
Dane extended his hand toward Rin. “Thank you. I am indebted to you.”
Rin hesitated for a fraction of a second and finally removed his protective hand from Lea’s shoulder. Dane saw the indecision cross his almost emotionless features. Rin’s handshake was strong and short before he released Dane’s hand. He bowed his head and stepped sideways. Dane noticed his hand never left the hilt of his sword. Not that he could blame him. Centuries of bloodshed and violence made a man rely not only on his instincts but also on procedure and rules.
Lea now stood directly in front of him. Her beauty astounded him. She was exactly the same as in their dreams. But somehow more electrifying. Looking at her, Dane fought to control his breathing. It felt as if the air had been sucked from his lungs.
An unknown emotion hit him hard. Uncertainty seeped into his stomach. What if she didn’t want him? He’d always been certain about his place in the world. About what he was and all that he could handle. Now, in the space of a few short hours he’d been bombarded with unsettling sensations. Today he’d learnt fear, shame and uncertainty. They were all hard lessons to learn. Especially when they all pertained to the thing he yearned for most in the world.
And she was standing in front of him. Her eyes showed his uncertainty reflected back at him. Her fear had lessened; he felt it ebb away from her to be replaced by the familiarity and bond they forged in their dreams.
“Will you come with me?” Dane asked and he was relieved to hear the assuredness in his voice.
Her hand went up to feel for the pendant at her chest which was no longer there. She dropped her hand when she realized it was still missing, the habit obviously too strong to break. Dane thought of the beautiful necklace lying on the pristine white snow back at his den.
Lea stepped forward, close enough that Dane could now feel heat radiating from her. He clenched his teeth and forced himself to remain in control. He extended a hand to her, palm up, in a sign of friendship. His heart pounded ferociously, nervous energy cascading through him.
She glanced from his hand to his face and trembling, she reached out. Dane felt a jolt of electricity the instant her small hand was engulfed by his. A small smile touched her lips.
Dane swallowed. It seemed like he was about to be bombarded with yet another foreign emotion, and it was the scariest of all. Hope.
~* * *~
Lea’s hand was engulfed in Dane’s, massive grip. The strength of it gave her pause. The moment his fingers closed around hers, the tension seemed to leave him and he relaxed his hold a fraction..
“Come,” his deep voice vibrated through the hall. “I’ll take you home.”
She nodded, and his hand gripped her tightly as he led her toward the door, their footfalls echoing through the silence. Lea paused on the flagstone edging leading up to the steps of the massive front door. Dane stopped immediately, confusion creasing his brow.
“Just a minute.”
He released her hand instantly and she turned back toward the hall. Rin stood in the same spot and she walked toward him. His hand still gripped the sword at his side and he released it as Lea came to face him.
“Thank you for looking after me.” She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek gently. A barely audible growl emanated from Dane, which she chose to ignore.
Rin nodded curtly, but a small smile twitched at his lips. Lea returned his smile, hoping it conveyed all her gratitude.
Lea turned back toward Dane and her breath quickened as her chest squeezed tight. His large frame was silhouetted from the light above the door, sending him into shadows. He was massive, powerful and the aura that radiated from him sent cool molten lava through her veins. How could she be drawn to him and almost afraid of him at the same time?
The walk back to him felt like an eternity. She knew all the men in the hall were watching her. But the only gaze that bore into her was the deep black one that she knew in her dreams.
She reached his side and was dwarfed by him and yet somehow elated. He smiled down at her, slight trepidation evident in his face. In an instant, his gaze shot up above her, to her left and she felt something fly over her head.
Dane raised a hand and caught a set of keys.
“Thanks, Cousin,” Dane said to Darius.
Lea spun around and she saw the other man nod toward Dane. He caught her gaze and she baulked at his translucent blue eyes. He winked and she had to stop herself from stepping back into Dane. He had a similar aura of dangerous power as his cousin and hesitation flittered through her mind and she wondered once again what she was getting herself into.