by T. S. Ryder
Eva. He'd been wondering when she would return. "All the humans and non-warriors are to be put in the safe rooms. Thor, you are responsible for their safety."
Thor nodded. He snatched a blade from a guard and ordered two others to follow him. Rollon's stomach twisted as he watched him go, but he was a strong warrior and would do as he was commanded. He turned on his heel and gestured for the rest of the guard to follow him. It was time to put his sister in the ground.
Chapter Seven – Tindra
The alarms were so loud Tindra longed to clasp her hands to her ears while Ingrid pulled her down the hallway. As soon as the alarms had started, the vampire had grabbed Tindra and Hilda and pulled them from the room where they were playing chess. Ingrid’s grip was like iron, and she moved so quickly that Tindra could barely keep up.
They avoided the elevators, going down the stairs instead. At one point, Tindra lost her footing, and Ingrid all but threw her over her shoulder as she continued down. Tindra yelped – the thin vampire was much stronger than she looked!
Within a few minutes, they were below the rest of the palace in what looked like the dungeons. Ingrid swiped a card and a metal door rose. As she ushered Tindra and Hilda inside, someone shouted from behind them.
"Thor!" Ingrid's face collapsed into relief. "Have they breached the walls?"
"No. My father is going to head them off. It seems they’re being led by . . . an old enemy." Thor glanced into the room and down the hall. "Did you see any of the others?"
Ingrid shook her head. "But it’s late, I imagine many of them were in bed."
Thor’s nostrils flared. He spun on his heel and glanced at the nearest soldier he had brought with him. "You, stay here and guide the non-warriors in as they arrive. Five per room, and make sure that these doors stay shut once they are closed. Ingrid, I want you to seal the three of you in right now and –"
"Stop!" Tindra threw herself forward, blocking Ingrid from obeying the command. "What are you talking about? What is going on here?"
"The palace is under attack by shifters. We don’t know how many. I have been charged with protecting the non-warriors, and you are especially too important to lose." Thor gripped her wrist and dragged her deeper into the room. "I’m very serious. They might be after you."
Her face blanched. "Where’s Rollon?"
Somewhere in the hallway above them, an animalistic roar rang through the air. Thor’s head whipped around and a low snarl ripped from him. Tindra’s heart jumped to her throat and she yanked away from him instinctively. He didn’t even seem to notice.
"Seal the door," he ordered over his shoulder and a female scream rose louder than the sounds of the beast. "Don’t open it for anyone!"
"What about Rollon?" Tindra cried plaintively.
She made to follow, but Hilda grasped the back of her dress, stopping her, as Ingrid swiped her card again. The metal door fell with a thud. The noises from outside were cut off, and only a slight buzz could be heard. Tindra’s blood rushed in her ears and she yanked herself away from Hilda (tearing her dress in the process) and began to pound on the door.
"Thor!" she screamed. "What about Rollon?"
"The king is a mighty warrior," Ingrid said. "Don’t fear for him."
Tindra closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the door. "He’ll be in the thick of the battle, won’t he?"
Hilda tentatively touched her hand. "Rolly is very strong. You don’t have to worry about him. I've seen him go through really bad battles and come out the only survivor. He was once hung up by silver and staked a dozen times, and he still managed to kill them and get home."
The small girl tugged on her hand, and Tindra allowed herself to be led away. Worry ate at her stomach and she strained her ears for any sound from outside the door, but there was nothing she could hear. Ingrid and Hilda tried to distract her, but the only thing she could think of was how many times they had gone through this before.
A thud against the door made them all jump. A moment of silence, and then smaller thuds, and the faint sound of a woman’s voice pleading.
Tindra jumped to her feet. She couldn’t stand the thought of someone needing their help, otherwise left on their own to die. She reached for Ingrid’s access card. Ingrid’s hand flashed out and grasped her wrist. "We were told not to open the door."
"But someone is out there!"
"There’s a guard." Ingrid’s grip tightened. "He will direct her to the proper―"
"What if he abandoned his post?"
Ingrid shook her head. "Our soldiers do not abandon their posts. If he’s not there, he’s dead and we will die if we open the door."
"Please!" the woman outside screamed. "Let me in!"
Tindra balled her fist and threw all of her weight into decking Ingrid in the face. The vampire woman reeled back, eyes widening. Whether the blow actually did something or if it was just a surprise, Tindra didn’t know. Nor did she care. She pushed Hilda into her sister and used their distraction to dash over to the card reader. The doors flew open and Tindra reached to pull the woman in.
She froze when a cold blade pressed to her throat.
Two women stood on the outside of the room. One had a tear-stained face, her eyes wide and fearful. The other was like looking at a female version of Rollon. Same piercing eyes, dark hair, the slight dimple in her lower lip. The hard angles of his strong jaw were rounded on the woman, though. But this could only be―
"Eva!" Hilda jumped forward but Ingrid grabbed her and dragged her back.
Eva’s nostrils flared as she looked at Tindra. "So you’re my nephew’s human, are you?"
For a moment Tindra was certain she was dead, but Eva lowered her knife. There was blood on it, and Tindra’s hand flew to her throat before she saw the guard lying on the floor. Eva pushed away from the vampire woman she had used to gain entry and stepped into the room. Her gaze moved to Ingrid.
"It was easier to gain entrance than I thought it would be. My dear brother isn’t keeping his guards up to date. And the human . . . How could anybody love someone so stupid?" Her gaze flickered to Tindra. "Thor must want something besides your mind . . . Can’t be your body though."
"Ingrid?" Hilda squirmed in her sister’s arms. "It’s Eva! Why aren’t you happy?"
Eva stepped closer to the other vampire, ignoring everyone else. "So you never told her, huh? I’ll admit that I’m surprised."
"Told me what?" Hilda’s eyes were huge.
Ingrid squeezed her tighter.
"I broke your sister’s heart," Eva said, crouching slightly. "I don’t think she’s ever going to be happy to see me. But I tell you what. If you come with me, I won’t—"
Ingrid’s maniacal laughter cut her off. Eva straightened and Ingrid pushed Hilda behind her, shielding her from the other vampire. Tindra’s heart pounded. She felt powerless. When this was over, she was going to start seriously training with Rollon and take to carrying a silver blade with her at all times. If she got out of this alive.
"Hilda’s not going anywhere. I’m not going to let you near me or my sister ever again," Ingrid spat.
Eva stared at her for a moment before shaking her head. A look of hurt flashed through her eyes, but it was gone quickly. Everything was still and silent. Even the sounds of fighting from above were muted. Where was Thor? Where were the rest of the people who were meant to be coming to these rooms?
"Be a good girl, Hilda," Eva said as she stood a step back. "Listen to your sister and try to understand."
"Eva—"
The vampire whirled to Tindra. Her heart stopped at the dead, emotionless stare in her eyes. In that moment, she knew she was going to die. She was going to be killed and there was nothing she could do about it. She fell back a step as Eva raised the knife.
"Not in front of Hilda," she whispered.
Eva froze. An uncertain look flashed over her face, then a barely perceptible nod. She lunged forward and grabbed Tindra’s arm. Ingrid howled a sound of pain and anger and
jumped in, fists balled. Eva flipped the knife in her hand and threw her arm out, cracking the butt of the knife against Ingrid’s skull. Hilda screamed.
"Don’t," Eva warned and dragged Tindra out of the room.
Tindra was so filled with fear that her hands could barely move, but she managed to swipe the card reader, sealing the room in seconds. Her stomach rebelled as Eva pressed her against the wall, eyes burning. At least Hilda wouldn’t see.
"I came here for you, and for... Never mind. Thor’s plan is so obvious. You’re much too old for him. When I heard he had selected you, I knew instantly that he chose you for his father," Eva said. "But I can’t let that happen. Rollon doesn’t deserve happiness. I can’t let him have you."
The sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Eva yanked Tindra around and held the knife to her throat as Thor and several other soldiers came into view. Thor didn’t even look at her, his gaze focused on Eva.
"Let her go."
Eva clicked her tongue. "You look more like him every time I see you. Stand aside, Thor."
"Let the human go and I will convince my father to spare you."
Eva laughed. "Rollon has already decided I must die. What can you or anybody do to change his mind once it’s set? No. I’ll be doing this poor girl a favor by slicing her throat right now rather than letting Rollon get his claws into her forever."
Thor inched forward. "This is your last warning, Aunt. Stand down."
"No. You stand down." The knife pressed tighter, making Tindra gasp. "The quarrel I have is with your father, not you. With my forces, I would crush you. Let me leave and I’ll let you alone. You can’t take me down on your own."
A deep growl came from behind her. "It’s a good thing he’s not alone then, isn’t it?"
Chapter Eight – Rollon
Eva turned so her back was against the wall, her knife still at Tindra's throat. The human trembled, her eyes wide, and Rollon tried not to look at her. To see her fear now would only make him act rashly. He needed to remain in control of the situation. His silver blade weighed down his hand, blood dripping from its end. He'd had to fight through a dozen shifters to get here.
Rollon pushed his thoughts from his mind. His feet were unsteady so he planted them, watching Eva closely. She'd be dead already if it weren’t for the closeness of Tindra's body to hers. He couldn't strike without hurting his son's chosen one.
His sister's nostrils flared. "I can smell your blood, brother. You've been wounded. Badly, I think. See the way your king's hand trembles, human? He can't save you."
"Let the human go," Rollon rumbled. "If your quarrel is with me, then you have nothing to gain by harming my son's companion."
Thor shifted to one side and Eva tightened her grip on Tindra. "I think not. The human will give me a safe passage from your palace."
Rollon snarled under his breath. He stepped forward, raising his blade. "You came to test my resolve. You wanted to see what the human was worth to me, didn't you? That or . . . " He glanced at the door, where he could hear Ingrid shouting. "Did you really think she would go back to you after the way you hurt her?"
Footsteps sounded behind him. He was just able to turn around before a silver-colored bear was on him. Sharp teeth tore through his arm as he raised his sword. Thor shouted and Tindra screamed. Rollon dropped the sword, catching it with his other hand, and skewered the beast through its sternum. It didn't slow, using its bulk to knock him to the floor. Teeth and claws came at him. He twisted the sword and rolled, narrowly missing being crushed. Thor faced off with a large black wolf as Eva dragged Tindra away.
Rollon didn't hesitate. He threw himself on top of the wolf, wrapping his good arm around its neck and hauling it back.
"Go!" he shouted at his son.
The bear lumbered at them but fell. Thor raced off down the hallway after Eva. Rollon tightened his grip around the wolf's neck. They would not get to his son. His sword was pinned under the bear's body, but that didn't mean he couldn't fight. The wolf threw him off, his savaged arm flopping around. The wolf jumped on him. Its claws tore through his cotton shirt, the jaws snapping at his face. He warded it off with one hand, the mauled one patting uselessly at his pocket. With a shout, Rollon rolled his legs up to his chest. He kicked them out, knocking the wolf away, and grabbed the small knife he always carried with him.
"Let's get this done," he mumbled, not sounding as fierce as he had hoped.
His head throbbed. His fangs were lengthening, needing blood. His legs trembled as he got to his feet. The wolf's tail swished this way and that as it hunched close to the ground, growling. Yellow eyes shone from its face. It wove back and forth as it looked for an opening. Rollon kept his grip steady on the knife.
There was a yell of pain up the corridor. Thor. Rollon's head turned a fraction of an inch. The wolf lunged. He thrust the dagger forward as he sidestepped. The blade sliced over the wolf's ribcage. A howl echoed, and it turned once more. Teeth snapped at his face, and then the wolf was gone, running back the way it had come.
Rollon didn't bother wasting time chasing after it. His blood splattered the ground as he dragged himself toward the sound of his son's voice. Cotton felt stuffed into his ears and his head spun.
Footsteps, and then Tindra rounded the corner. Her eyes widened and she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his waist to support him. Her full-bodied scent hit him hard and he snarled, grabbing her wrist. He could almost taste the blood running below the surface as he slammed her against the wall.
Wide, frightened eyes met his. Rollon kept his grip tight, the need for blood almost painful. His chest heaved against hers. It would take more strength than he had to tear himself away. His head dropped, tongue flicking over her pulse. In his state, he would drain her dry . . .
Thor's voice came from somewhere in the distance. Rollon ignored it. Two small hands pressed to his chest.
"Stop." A breathless whisper, but no fear. "Thor needs you."
The king pulled back. Wide eyes. Not frightened as he had first thought. No, the fear was all his. He pulled back from the human. Another step. His grip on her released and he stumbled away, panting. She didn’t even know how close he had come to . . .
Without a word, he turned. Renewed determination seized him and he pushed himself as fast as he could. Thor soon came into view, fighting a clawed, half-shifted beast. Rollon threw himself on the animal, tearing into it with tooth and blade. It howled and threw him off. Thor's blade flashed. The creature fell. Rollon snarled and stepped in the direction of Eva’s smell, but a sharp pain bit into his side. He glanced down to see a silver blade protruding from his abdomen.
"Dad!" Thor caught him as he fell. He yanked out the blade and threw it away. "Dad, hold on. It's not that bad. You just need blood."
The dizziness from before was returning. "Blood . . . " he moaned.
"Pure blood."
Human blood. His mouth watered even as a snarl ripped from him. "No. I'd kill her."
"Let's get up." Thor heaved him to his feet and started walking him down the corridor. "Some bagged blood to take the edge off, but you need it fresh from the vein to fully recover."
"I'd kill her," Rollon repeated.
Thor shook his head. "No, you won't. Especially not after you've had a bag."
Rollon sagged against him, eyes fluttering. "No. I can't. She's yours."
"Dad, I don't know how to tell you this, but you're an idiot."
A smirk and chuckle. "Why do you say that?"
Thor grunted with the effort to keep him moving forward. "Because she was never mine. I chose her, but I chose her for you. I've been dropping hints like crazy. I want you to let Mom go and find someone else to love. I thought Tindra was perfect for you. Her smell, her clumsiness when it comes to royalty. You need someone who will tell you what they think, and she can do that."
"Yeah, she does. Her face gets so red . . . " Rollon shook his head. "You're just saying that because—"
"I'm not. I've never shown an
y interest in women because I'm not interested in women. Or men. I don't want all that sexy, romantic crap. I am perfectly happy on my own." Thor adjusted him, then flung him over his shoulders and began to run.
Not interested in any of it? Rollon frowned as his mind wove in and out of consciousness. Who wouldn't be interested in that delectable human? His mouth watered and his fangs throbbed. One small taste wouldn't hurt. Even if Thor was lying to him.
***
After a couple bags of human blood, Rollon felt much revived. The all-consuming need to feed was gone, leaving him feeling weak in its wake. Thor said that Tindra had agreed to give him what he needed from here, and Rollon insisted that she be brought to his chambers. He wanted to do this right. The steam from the shower eased the ache in his lungs. Human blood fresh from the vein was potent. It wouldn't take much to heal him. He would take what he needed, no more, and send her away.
"Rollon?" The door to his large shower opened and Tindra stepped in.
She was utterly naked. Just the sight of her had him stiffening. She might not be as curvy as the vampires he usually lay with, but she was all woman. Bite-sized breasts, toned abs, muscular thighs, and those big, beautiful eyes. He swallowed as her scent enveloped him. If he drank from her, it wouldn't end there.
"I'll manage," he rasped out. His voice was deeper, huskier. "You don't have to be here."
Tindra shook her head. "No. You're going to drink from me and heal."
His gaze ran down her body and he cursed. "I can't . . . I won't be able to stop myself."
Why had she come in here naked? A tortured noise pulled from his throat as she moved even closer.
"It's okay. You yourself told me that it can be very sexy if the attraction already exists. I think we both know that I am highly attracted to you. And I'm not just doing it because I think I have to. There is any number of women who would be more than willing to let you drink from them. I know it doesn't have to be me. But when I think about you touching anybody else . . . " A scowl crossed her face. "I want to punch them in the face."