Surrender: Immortal Protectors, Book 2

by H. M. McQueen

  “Convinced my love was great enough to ensure that she would love me, it never occurred to me that she would not come to care for me. Now I know that if I had ever really loved her, I would have asked about her feelings. Things were so different then. Women didn’t have the freedom to be with whom they chose. Still, I was selfish.”

  “You were young,” Wendy told him, her heart breaking for him.

  He continued, “I turned down Julian when he came for me. Remained with Catarina for five years, all the while hoping we would have a good marriage. After the first year, she rarely allowed me to touch her. She’d come to bed after I fell asleep and leave before I woke. When she became with child, I should have known it wasn’t mine. But still I refused to believe it. Not until I came upon her and Gregor. He was trying to do the right thing and leave. It was then that I realized my mistake, I had to let her go.”

  He caressed her cheek. “It seems it’s my lot to lose those that I care for.”

  “You’re not going to lose me,” Wendy replied, reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

  The kiss intensified. Kieran pulled her into him, and his hands traveled down her back. A moan escaped her lips. One touch from him, and she was instantly on fire. How could she ever live away from him? When his tongue dove in her mouth, Wendy pulled her fingers through his hair and matched him one for one.

  “I need to shower. I don’t want to make love to you until I wash all the smell of demon off me,” Kieran’s breath was haggard in her ear. He took her hand and guided her toward the bedroom. “Let’s go to bed.”

  There were so many unknowns in their future, so many questions that she may not want to know the answers to. His strong hand holding hers felt like her lifeline, security in the raging sea of her current situation. Kieran, he was her rock, the one thing she could hold on to.

  While Kieran showered, Wendy stood at the window and looked up at the morning sky. Questions swirled around in her head, one after another pushing to be the first she would ask.

  Tempted to join him under the hot stream of water, she glanced toward the bathroom door. She bit her lip when she recalled the emotion that had flickered in Kieran’s eyes earlier. He was keeping something from her; she could sense it down to her soul. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good.

  But then again, maybe he was just tired. How could she even claim to know him so well? She’d only been around him for a few days.

  The realization shook her. Had it been only a few days since she was attacked? Since she’d been in the hospital?

  God, it seemed like a lifetime ago. She was a totally different person now.

  For one thing, she’d thought herself in love with Kieran before, but now, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she loved him with her entire being. A love so great it encased her.

  Yes, she knew him well. Well enough to know that something was hurting him.

  A soft buzzing called her attention to her reflection in the window. Wendy jumped back and stifled a scream.

  Lights. Tiny lights buzzed all around her hair. Cautiously, she raised her hand to touch them and noticed that tiny lights pulsed from her fingertips, too. An aura of lights outlined her. She glowed like a Christmas tree.

  A soft voice whispered in her ear, “Defend your love. Fight for him. Don’t give up.”

  Wendy whipped around, but there was no one there. She studied her hand again. The lights were gone. “Whoa.” What the hell was that?

  The bathroom door creaked open, Kieran walked out, a towel around his waist.

  Darkened eyes met hers, and Wendy threw herself at him. His mouth crashed over hers, and he picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He moved toward the bed.

  His towel fell.

  Any worries would have to wait until tomorrow.

  # # #

  It was still daylight when Wendy woke up, but the sun was beginning to set.

  After having slept for a few hours at Fallon’s, she didn’t think she’d sleep this long. A soft smile curved her lips as she watched Kieran’s sleeping face.

  Even in sleep, with his brow fixed in a half-scowl, he was gorgeous. She leaned close and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. He took a deep breath but didn’t wake.

  She’d thought him too tired that morning, but he’d surprised her by having the energy to make love until they were both sated. He showed her a different side of him, a softer, caring Kieran who’d taken great pains to concentrate on her, even when he’d lost control of his body.

  How she enjoyed his penetrating looks, how his lips parted when she caressed him, the guttural sounds of his deep voice when he climaxed. She reached out to touch him but drew her hand back when a soft snore escaped his lips. Cute.

  Good. She’d let him sleep while hunting up some ingredients for a scrumptious meal. According to Julian, Kieran was to remain with her for the next two days. Then, she was to be guarded by Protectors on the trip to Ireland. Of course, she’d insist that Kieran be one of her escorts.

  Slipping out of the bed, she went to the bathroom and dressed in one of his T-shirts and her own jeans. Picking up her shoes, she tiptoed out.

  A couple of hours later, the entire meal was prepared. Wendy boiled water for a cup of Darjeeling tea and listened to music while she tossed a mixed greens salad. She’d drink the tea and then wake Kieran for dinner.

  A scratch at the back door got her attention. Goodness, she’d forgotten all about Albert. She peeked outside before opening the door. Albert whined.

  When she opened the door, the dog streaked past her, almost knocking her down. He ran through the kitchen straight to Kieran’s bedroom.

  She slammed the door closed and hurried after him.

  The dog shoved its large body against Kieran, who was still asleep. When she tried to coax him to come back out of the room, he whimpered softly and tried to push himself further into Kieran.

  “Fine, stay, but you better not wake him up,” Wendy whispered at the dog. He stared at her, not blinking.

  A beeping alert rang out just as Wendy entered the kitchen. “That’s the loudest oven timer I’ve ever heard. I swear everything is intent on waking the poor man.”

  She rushed to the oven and pushed the timer button. Nothing. The beeping continued. “What the…”

  Wendy yelped when she was swooped up and shoved toward the hallway by Kieran.

  Beside him, Albert let out a deep guttural growl, the fur on his back upright. The low, menacing sound made the hair on her arms stand on end.

  “What is it? I’m sorry I woke you up,” Wendy squeaked.

  “You didn’t. They’re here,” Kieran replied.

  “Who?” Wendy looked at him through narrowed eyes. He wasn’t dressed. As a matter of fact, he was totally nude. Her eyes flew to his hands; he held a sword in one hand and a dagger in the other.

  An earsplitting crash sounded. Loud pops followed.

  Then, chaos broke out.

  Two demons crashed through the back door.

  Wendy screamed.

  Kieran pushed her behind him and sliced both demons across the chest before they hit the ground.

  Another demon rushed in.

  “Oh, God, it’s Josh! The demon from the coffee shop,” Wendy told Kieran, her voice quaking. “He’s the one that attacked me.”

  Flames were beginning to engulf the kitchen. The smoke burned her eyes, making them water.

  Josh rushed toward them, slicing his sword back and forth, snarling in anger every time Kieran blocked.

  “Give me the girl.”

  Kieran slashed at Josh. The demon leapt back.

  “That would be no,” Kieran answered through clenched teeth.

  Just then, two projectiles flew in through another window. Both bounced on the floor. Kieran jumped back, grabbed Wendy up, tossed her over his shoulder, and raced back to the bedroom, Albert on their heels. They barely closed the door when an explosion shook the entire house.

  Shaking so b
adly that her teeth rattled, Wendy stayed on the bed where Kieran had tossed her. He ran to his closet and began to yank on jeans and a shirt, his eyes flickering between her and the door. He looked toward the bedroom window. Wendy followed his gaze.

  The window was gone, completely sealed by what looked like cement.

  “Hurry up,” Wendy told him; her heart hammering so hard that she was sure she’d have a heart attack. “We’re going to burn up.”

  “The room is fortified and fireproof,” Kieran told her. “But we still have to leave. The concrete walls will only slow them down.”

  Wendy went to the closet to stand near him, Albert was already in there. The dog was smart.

  Behind his clothes, there were weapons lined up against the wall. Kieran took down a semi-automatic rifle and a couple of handguns, shoving them into different pockets in his pants.

  He chose a smaller handgun and shoved it into her jean’s waist. Wendy didn’t move as he wrapped a harness onto her thigh and shoved a couple of daggers into them. Then, he took a jacket off a hook and put it on. It was already loaded with daggers. After grabbing his sword and scabbard, he walked out of the closet. Both Wendy and Albert fought to be the one closest behind him.

  A loud crash sounded outside the door and made her and Albert yelp.

  “It will be okay. Relax, okay?” Kieran turned to her and put his hands on both sides of her face gazing down at her. “Breathe.”

  Wendy closed her eyes and inhaled. The smell of him was intoxicating and reassuring. When she opened her eyes, she felt somewhat composed. If anyone would protect her and keep her safe, it was Kieran. She had no doubts.

  She smiled weakly at him. “Okay, where to?”

  “We’re going to escape through an underground tunnel that goes to the garage in the back. The garage is fortified, but they will eventually get in. Hopefully, we’ll beat them there, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they have someone there waiting, just in case we make it.”

  Wendy inhaled sharply and nodded.

  “Listen to me,” Kieran told her, his face tight. “As soon as we get to the garage, jump in the Jeep. Don’t look around, don’t try to save the dog or me. Just get in the Jeep, start it, and put it in drive. Keep the locket covered at all times, got that? I will be in the car before you drive out.” He glanced to Albert. “You’re on your own, dog. If you don’t make it to the vehicle, we’re not stopping for you.” Albert cocked his head to the side almost as if he were pondering Kieran’s words.

  “Let’s go.” He flicked what looked like a light switch, and a slab of concrete flooring slid sideways. A stairway went down into a dimly lit tunnel. Kieran motioned for her to go first. Albert was already on his way down the stairs.

  Once Kieran entered behind her, he pushed down a lever, and the concrete shifted back into place. They were surrounded by pitch darkness.

  “I can see in the dark,” Kieran informed her, taking her elbow.

  Normally, the darkness and smell of damp earth would have scared the crap out of her, but after the last day’s events, this seemed a mere nuisance. Wendy swept aside spider webs that clung to her face and arms.

  A soft light filled the space when Kieran switched on a flashlight that he’d obviously stashed in the space.

  They plodded along for a few minutes in silence, the only sound their footsteps on the compact dirt. A few times, Kieran looked up at the ceiling. She wondered if he could hear the demons above them. Wendy remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt, just in case he could.

  They stopped at a second set of stairs. Kieran moved past her, climbed up, and then put his ear to the door. Giving the dog a warning look, he leaned down to speak. “Be quiet.”

  Wendy frowned at him. The dog was smart but really. Did he seriously think Albert understood him? Kieran met her gaze and shrugged as if hearing her thoughts.

  Kieran pushed through the door, his gun pointed.

  Demons were waiting for them.

  She got to see Her Protector in action again, he opened fire with the semi-automatic, although the bullets didn’t kill the demons. They hurt them, quite a bit from their screeching. The gunfire distracted them from Wendy, as they dove for cover to avoid being shot.

  Wendy dashed to the Jeep and yanked the door open. She scampered inside, started it, and held her breath. It didn’t have any kind of top on it. Great.

  A scream caught in her throat when a demon jumped Kieran from behind. The demon stumbled back, a dagger in its heart. Somehow Kieran had anticipated it. When he began to fight two demons, Wendy contemplated whether she should drive or do something besides just sit there. The problem was all of the doors were closed. How the hell were they going to get out of there?

  When several demons began to come in through the tunnel door, Wendy rammed the Jeep into drive and slammed one against the wall. The force of the vehicle crushed another demon that was about to exit through the tunnel door. He evaporated.

  The demon that was pinned between the wall and the Jeep grabbed her arm. Not sure which weapon to reach for, she pulled out a dagger and stabbed at it. The demon yowled in pain and released her. His fangs flashed at her; he was not dead. Wendy closed her eyes and stabbed once again, this time putting all her weight into it. With one last shriek, he evaporated.

  “Come on, Kieran, we have to get out of here!” she screamed.

  Kieran didn’t react except to shove his sword into a demon. Not waiting for the assailant to evaporate, he flipped a large switch and ran to the Jeep. She scooted over to the passenger seat.

  The Jeep lurched forward and Kieran drove straight toward the back wall. Wendy screamed and dove under the dash. The vehicle only paused slightly when it hit the thin plywood wall, which fell away easily.

  It was a secret exit.

  Flames now fully engulfed the house, lighting the night sky. The light allowed her to see that several demons were pursuing them. It was a scene straight out of a horror movie.

  Wendy slashed at a demon that’d managed to grab onto the roll bar. It yelped and fell away, only to be replaced by another. Using both daggers to stab and slice, she lost count of how many demons she’d either maimed or killed.

  In the backseat, Albert snarled and bit into a demon. She didn’t know how Kieran managed to keep driving while cutting down demons with his sword arm, but he did.

  When they finally got to the highway, Wendy let out a happy whoop. “We kicked demon ass,” she yelled, smiling at Kieran.

  He nodded at her, his face stoic as usual.

  “Do you ever get excited?” she asked before screaming again. “Yee haw!!”

  The erratic sound of his breathing finally got her attention. Her heart almost stopped. Kieran was injured. He bled profusely from cuts to his arms, neck and chest.

  So much blood.

  “Oh, my God,” Wendy gasped, trying her best not to pass out.

  Unfortunately, the metallic odor of blood slammed into her.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Kieran looked to his right. Wendy was passed out in the passenger seat, and he was trying hard not to follow.

  She’d sliced and stabbed demons, fighting alongside him, but the sight of him bleeding heavily must have been too much for her. She wasn’t cut out to be a warrior.

  Or maybe she just didn’t do well with blood. It didn’t matter at this point. After today, she wouldn’t have to do either. Wendy would move to Ireland, to be part of a totally different world. The pampered life of the Fae would suit her.

  Do not pass out. Kieran blinked and shook his head. Albert nudged his shoulder, as if to encourage him. With a soft whimper, the dog stared straight at him, not backing down until Kieran reassured him. “It’s okay, boy.”

  He checked the rearview mirror and was relieved to see that they were not being followed. One good thing about demons, they were not well organized, especially during the festival. Right now, they were too filled with bloodlust and a need for debauchery to fight well, although he gave them credit for t
rying.

  They’d surprised him. He hadn’t expected an attack this week.

  Wendy’s head flopped over toward him when he turned the corner toward Cyn’s house. A lock of hair fell across her face.

  She was so beautiful.

  And after tonight, whether he lived or not, he’d never see her again.

  The constriction in his chest increased. The demons had gotten lucky and pierced his chest. They’d barely missed his heart. Although he could survive a pierced heart, If any other main arteries were severed, he would be worm food in a matter of minutes.

  When he began to black out, he began to wonder.

  Exactly how lucky had the demons gotten?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Josh’s body evaporated. The residual vapor swirled around Gerard. It did little to calm him. With a snort of disgust, he kicked the demon’s sword away.

  “Why did I waste my time sending him?” he asked the low-levels who stood near, their eyes darting about as if looking for an escape route. Not expecting a reply, Gerard watched the rest of the demons prepare to depart.

  Younglings stood side-by-side and gawked at the burning house, not allowing the overpowering heat to distract them from the enthralling sight of flames that grew taller and brighter against the night sky.

  A loud explosion shook the ground as the flames jumped higher. Vibrations from it traveled up his tight leg muscles. Upon his arrival, he had expected to be holding the key within minutes. The raw power of renewed energy should have been coursing into his weakened body now. Instead…nothing. He drew a deep breath in an effort to remain calm and not use up more strength than absolutely necessary.

  A drop of perspiration glided down the side of his face. The heat from the fire was becoming unbearable, but he pondered whether the sweat was more from desperation.

  In a few minutes, firefighters would arrive. Surely, someone had spotted the glow of the flames by now.