by Connie Wood
The drive to Darius apartment building was uneventful, though the stench of a fresh kill tormented Dane consistently. He pulled into the underground garage and got out of the car, relieved to have some space between him and the wolf.
“Are you alright?”
Dane whipped around to see Darius standing behind him. Damn the man was quick, silent and deadly. He could sneak up on you and have your throat removed before you heard him. Dane was glad they were kin.
“Fine,” he grunted, looking around the abandoned car park. “Where do we take the body?”
Darius eyed him with those translucent blue eyes before he gestured toward a door adjacent to the exit. “It’s a stairwell to the basement. There’s an incinerator down there. Very convenient for our kind.”
Dane crossed to the passenger door, opened it and pulled the body out, still wrapped in the blanket. He tossed it over one shoulder and slammed the car door shut with his foot. Darius walked next to him and opened the stairwell door. Dane made his way down the stairs with Darius at his back, the only man he would ever allow in that position.
The confined stairwell pressed in on Dane, his massive shoulders scrapped the cool concrete walls making him almost claustrophobic. He took a deep breath to calm his already agitated nerves and wished he didn’t. Death and blood hit his nostrils and filled his head making him giddy with hunger. He gritted his teeth but couldn’t contain the growl low in his throat. At the bottom of the stairs, Darius stepped around him on a small landing and punched in numbers on a keypad and the security door opened.
“Just shove him in the furnace, it’s hot enough to get rid of most of the evidence. The guy who cleans it out is on my payroll. He doesn’t ask too many questions.”
Darius opened the metal door with a pair of long handled tongs and Dane baulked at the intense heat emanating from it. Hissing, he threw in the carcass of Sebastian and was glad to be relieved of its weight. The blanket unwrapped to reveal part of the wolf before the flames conquered the flesh.
Dane turned away from the heat. Darius stood with the furnace door open, a look of incredulous surprise on his face.
“What?” Dane demanded.
“You didn’t feed?”
“No.” Dane turned away.
“Why? I know it’s been too long since you last fed. Obviously the wolf isn’t the first thing I would choose, but it’s still flesh.” Darius closed the door with a loud clunk and came toward Dane.
“I won’t devour something that tried to harm Lea. Kill it, yes. Eat it, no.”
“I see,” Darius said quietly.
Dane turned on him, his anger coming to the surface. “See what?” he growled.
“You love her.”
He said it with such simplicity, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But nature had many sides, as did he. Dangerous sides, ones that would inflict fear and pain.
“I’m a bear for Christ’s sake.” His anger seeped from him at those words, to be replaced by hopelessness at the truth of it.
“There is hope, Dane. If she loves you in return.”
Dane stared at his cousin incredulously. “How can she love what I am? I accept what I am and make no apologies for it. But look at me,” he gestured to his blood covered torso, the gaping wounds across his body. He reveled in the pain of them; it was something physical, something other than this helpless desperation that filled his heart.
“This,” he gestured again, “is our world. Pain, blood and death. Constant threats and fear.” He started to pace across the hard tiled floor. “This is what we live with. Would you ask one you loved to enter that world?”
He said it with ferocity, hardening his heart and resolve to his own words. When Darius said nothing he stopped pacing and turned to face him.
Darius stood with his body and face hard as stone. Dane sensed the animal in him straining close to the surface. He had touched a nerve and Dane’s animal blood pounded through his veins at the scent of it. It wanted to turn him. Dane clamped his jaw and fought for control. If he turned in reaction to Darius’ anger there would be an inevitable fight. It was the last thing he wanted. He remained still, pushing his animal instincts into the background. When he had a semblance of control he stepped toward Darius, his hands held palm up in a gesture of friendship and trust.
“I mean no harm in my words, Cousin. Too much has happened, I am not myself.” He gave the rare admission in hopes it would calm Darius. Even in his own heartbreak, he was not blind to his cousin’s pain. “I need to go back home. I need to cool my blood in the ice. Feed and leave these dreams behind.”
“Look out for the woman for me.” He couldn’t bring himself to say her name again. “Rin, the venator, will probably protect her until my scent leaves her permanently.” The thought brought shards of ice through his heart. He swallowed bitter bile. “He’s a good man, as far as venators go and he takes his duty seriously.”
“So you’d leave your woman to those who hunt us?”
Dane snarled. “She’s not my woman.” He turned away. “She can’t be.”
“I never thought to see the day that you’d give up.”
“I’m not giving up,” Dane yelled. “I’m trying to protect her.”
“Protect her from what?”
“Me!” Dane bellowed. Heated anger coursed through him, his emotions in turmoil. Part of him yearned to turn back to his true bear form. To have a release of these overpowering human emotions. Another part of him took a perverse pleasure in them, wanted to feel the euphoria of how he felt when he was with Lea. And all of him wanted her.
“You are a dangerous man, even in our world.” Darius stepped in front of Dane and placed his hand on his uninjured shoulder. Dane fought hard not to fling him off.
“But a polar bear would not harm his mate. I am sure of it.”
“Would you bet your life on it?” Dane asked.
Darius winced, unable to answer truthfully.
“No. I thought not and I won’t bet Lea’s life on it.” Dane sighed. “Cousin, I would not have us part ways in anger.”
“Nor me.” Darius removed his hand and let it drop to his side. “I shall watch your woman, but—”
“She’s not my—” interrupted Dane, heat searing his voice.
“She’s your woman,” Darius said, holding up a hand to stop Dane’s words. “Whether you admit it or not, she is yours. She holds your scent.” He looked Dane up and down with an observant eye. “She probably has your heart by now too. Your animal instincts already know it. It’s just your pain in the ass logical human side that is causing the conflict.”
Dane raised a sardonic eyebrow at Darius’ observations and he knew there was an element of truth to his words. But no matter how strong his animal instincts, he couldn’t deny his human side. The part of him that ruled his logic told him Lea wasn’t safe in his world and although his animal half craved her, all of him knew what the price would be for her protection. The price was his heart. A price he would gladly pay, but would Lea truly realize what it meant to enter into his world?
“No matter the reason, the outcome’s the same. A human woman isn’t safe in our world and I was a fool to believe otherwise.” Dane clasped his cousin on the back. “It’s time for me to leave.”
“I’ll keep an eye on your woman for you.”
“Thanks, Cousin.”
Dane looked at Darius a moment longer, knowing he wouldn’t see him for a very long time. He wouldn’t come back to the city, not while Lea was still here and it had been eons since Darius visited the wild icy plains of their homeland.
Turning, Dane walked back up the stairs, out of the building and into the still-quiet city. He glanced around, his heart heavy, and continued to walk to the outskirts of town. Perhaps he’d be back here sooner than he anticipated; human lives were a lot shorter than those of the versipellis. His chest constricted in pain at the thought. He knew she’d have a better life without him in it, a safer, normal existence. Even if he stayed he
would have to watch her grow old and die. He didn’t know if he could stand it.
But even if he could have a few blissful years with Lea in his life, it would be as near to heaven as his kind would ever hope to reach.
Dane started to pick up the pace, wanting to get rid of some excess energy. All this contradiction would drive him insane. He couldn’t have her, wouldn’t endanger her life. That was the end of it.
With a howl of agony and frustration, Dane transformed and ran full speed across the outskirts of the smaller towns. He tried to block out his human mind, thoughts he could barely process, and concentrated on the animal he was.
Blood pounded through him, his heart near bursting as he pushed himself harder, faster. The thick muscles through his legs burnt like fire and still he pushed on, taking pleasure in the physical sense of his nature.
Finally he reached the ice fields, their white expanse spreading out on all horizons. He howled again, this time it echoed across the plains, reflecting the pain both in his defunct soul and throughout his body. Dane continued to race across the fields of ice, his injuries burning passed endurance. But he’d rather that than allow the agony of his heart to be felt.
He pushed through the pain and upped his pace, soon he left blooded paw prints in his wake, as his wounds opened. No matter, he’d be home soon, his den now visible in the distance.
Dane grunted as he finally slowed, blood seeping into the ice turning it from white to garish pink. He stopped at the entrance of his den, stood on his hind legs with great effort and sniffed. Something had been close to his home, the remnants of a foul stench tickled his nostrils. He searched his mind at the familiarity of the smell, but it was his instinct that told him what it was. The strange foreign creature he’d encountered during one of his dreams with Lea. It had been here recently.
Cautiously, he lowered himself to all fours, readied himself for battle, and stepped into his home. No creature lurked in his den, there was no scent detectable here. It hadn’t fouled his home and entered.
Dane looked around the white sparseness of the room; something glinted on the floor against the white hard packed snow. He stepped over to it and sniffed at it.
Instantly he turned human, exhausted he fell to the floor, his blood instantly seeping deep into the ground. Reaching out a hand he grasped Lea’s pendant, its cold metal searing into his skin. An image of her flittered across his mind and against all logic, he hoped to dream of her before he fell into unconsciousness.
Chapter Twelve
Lea continued to sit on the sofa, almost comatose, hugging a plush cushion to her body. She hardly moved a muscle since Dane walked out the door carrying the huge body of a wolf…Sebastian…across his broad shoulders, concealing his face from her.
Shock and disbelief numbed her body and mind. The hazy sunlight filtering in through the open door was the only indication of how much time had elapsed since he walked out. It had to be close to midday, though there was little warmth as a cool breeze tickled at her face and dried her tears.
A shadow darkened the doorway and Lea started as if waking from a dream.
“What the hell happened here?” The voice exploded into the solitary silence and Lea jumped to her feet, her heart beating a tattoo against her chest.
Brent stepped into the room and looked around at the mess in disbelief. “What happened to your house, Lea?” he asked, and Lea noted how his voice adopted the professional psychiatrist lilt, the one they were trained to use on the mentally disturbed or recent victims of violence. “And why are you still in your bathrobe?”
She pulled the garment across her tightly, suddenly feeling vulnerable. Dragging her gaze warily from Brent, Lea finally looked around at the room and realized she could very well be classed in both those categories, either insane or a victim of violence. Brown smudges were randomly splattered across the floor and furniture had been overturned, some of it smashed and splintered. Lea hopped Brent didn’t notice the dried brownish blood stains. It was going to be hard enough to explain already. Hell, she couldn’t even wrap her head around what was going on let alone make a convincing argument. Nor did she want to.
“Lea—” Brent started.
“Brent, don’t lecture me.” Lea held up a hand and stepped over a broken side table to stand in front of him. She noticed him pull out his phone, hit a few buttons and slide it back into his pocket.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“I actually came to apologize for the other day, my actions were very unprofessional.” He paused and looked around again and Lea could feel him taking in almost every detail of her ruined house. “I went over to see you at your office at the club. They say you haven’t been into work since the day the club reopened.”
There was a question in his statement, one she had no desire to answer. Truthfully she hadn’t even thought of work. Too much had happened. Dane had strode into her life and turned it upside down and then walked out. Pain clutched at her chest at the thought of him. Tears stung her eyes but she blinked them back, she didn’t want Brent to see any more of her tears. She wouldn’t leave herself vulnerable to him again.
“Listen Lea, I think we need to—”
“Don’t patronize me, Brent,” Lea snapped, as she recognized his professional voice again.
“I’m not patronizing you.” He stepped closer to her and she wanted to step back but wouldn’t allow herself to show weakness. “But you have been acting very strangely lately. These dreams, in my office the other day, not working. And now I come to check on you and your sitting practically comatose on a chair, your door wide open and your house trashed.”
He took a pause for dramatic effect before going on in that same calm melodic voice which was supposed to sooth her, but was only getting on her already frayed nerves.
“I’ve talked to a colleague of mine at the Psych section of the hospital and he says its quiet common for people to have a psychotic break caused by a traumatic event. Post traumatic stress can be even worse for people in our profession because we are so analytical.”
He put both hands on her shoulders and she felt a gush of ice cold air engulf her. She fought the repulsion of having Brent’s hands on her and tried to concentrate on the cold feeling consuming her. She looked around desperately. Was Dane here with her again? Was he still watching over her, protecting her? Hope grabbed at her heart; perhaps together they could work things out.
Lea glanced at Brent and noticed him watching her looking around wildly. There was fear in his eyes, just as there had been at his office when Dane warned her, but now there was also professional curiosity in his gaze and alarm bells went off in her brain.
“Now, Lea, I just called an ambulance and I have alerted the doctors there that you will be staying a while.”
“You’re having me admitted?” Lea baulked.
She pushed Brent away, he spun, tripping over an upturned chair and landed on the floor. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I do know that I’m not crazy.”
She advanced on him, towering over him still sprawled on the ground. “Now get the hell out of my house and take your diagnosis and your hospital with you.”
Brent scrambled to his feet, a cold steely look in his now determined eyes. “Lea, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You’re not the first person I’ve had to deal with resisting treatment.”
“Treatment,” she almost screamed at him. “Screw you and your treatment. You’re just pissed that I declined your slimy advances the other day.” She saw him wince. “How many other woman have you tried to seduce in your office?”
Brent stepped toward her, anger now permeating from him and Lea felt another rush of icy coldness sweep across her warning her of emanate danger. She steeled herself for what was to come.
“I’m going to have you drugged into a stupor. I’ll give you the strongest anti-psychosis drugs I can find. You’ll be so high you’ll be seeing shit that will fracture your mind, you smarmy bitch.”
&
nbsp; Lea heard a low growl vibrate through her mind. This time she didn’t need the warning. She bunched up her fist and swung, her right hook hit Brent square in the face, she felt the impact run up her arm and into her body like the recoil of a shotgun. It almost knocked her back but she stepped forward and swung again. This time she connected with the side of his face and he went to the floor. A sickening crack told her she’d done some damage. The blood spewing from his nose spread across his face making him almost undetectable.
Brent hit the ground with a thump and clutched at his face. “You bitch,” he tried to say with as much venom in his voice as blood on his face.
Lea regarded him coldly and shook out her hand, the knuckles already bruised and swollen. Another movement blocked the light of day from the doorway. Lea snapped her head toward it.
“I can see you have it all under control. I shall leave you to it.” The Japanese venator who saved her from Sebastian stood tall and straight on the threshold of her home. He glanced down at Brent’s moaning form and raised an eyebrow before looking back at her. “If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to call for me.”
He nodded curtly, turned, placed his hand on his sword and disappeared from view. Lea sighed with exhaustion, would this day ever end? It just kept getting stranger.
She peered down at Brent. “Perhaps you can use that ambulance now. Take your treatment and your ambulance and get the hell out of my house.” Her foot itched to kick him for good measure.
Finally he got up, but he didn’t look at her, and skulked to the door, all the while mumbling almost incoherently. Lea picked up words like ‘assault’, ‘insane’ and ‘bitch’.
Lea followed him across the room and slammed the door behind him. She should have closed it earlier but the situation with Dane that morning overrode everything else.
Dane. She could picture him in her mind. The way he’d barged into the hall and rescued her. The way he’d made love to her. The way he turned into a polar bear and ripped the throat out of a wolf.
Lea leaned against the door, exhausted and confused. Residual adrenaline from her encounter with Brent made her nerve endings tingle and left her trembling. Why the hell did he come here? She’d always believed he was a respectable colleague, someone to be trusted. A friend, perhaps even the kind of man she would end up with. Obviously she’d been very wrong, now it was clear how manipulative he had been. How cruel and sadistic, she’d seen a glimmer of pleasure that shrouded his eyes at the thought of her medicated and incarcerated, vulnerable to him.