Born to Bite Bundle

by Hannah Howell

  Rowan looked up at him, her wheat blond hair strewn about in luxurious disarray. “Though I can see naught, whatever I am lying on feels wonderful.”

  “ ’Tis moss. From what I am told, it comes from a magical place.”

  “Magical?” Humor wove through her words.

  “Aye.” He lifted a lock of her hair, inhaled her scent. “I have missed my sojourns here. More than a year has passed since I have returned.” He would not wait so long again. Easily he could envision his future visits here, his life ahead with Rowan and their child.

  “Why have you been away so long?” she asked.

  “The demands on a laird are endless, but proud I am to serve my people.” Aedan lay beside her and caught her lips in a fierce kiss, then with reluctance, broke free. “Go to sleep, Rowan.”

  “What if I am not tired?”

  At her teasing, he smiled. “Pretend.”

  She chuckled, and his heart warmed. “If ’tis your wish.”

  “It is.” And so much more. “A caution: If you wake before I do, stay nearby.”

  “You speak of whoever tried to kill you?” Nervousness trembled within her voice.

  However much he wished to avoid the discussion, it was reality, one they must face. “Aye,” Aedan replied. “Until I find whoever is behind the attempt on my life, we must keep guard. Given the circumstances of how I was poisoned, I am confident it is a vampire, who must also seek sleep during the day. While you are with me, you will be safe. Now, close your eyes and rest.”

  On a deep sigh, Rowan snuggled against him. Within moments her breathing became even.

  With her womanly scent infusing his every breath, Aedan slowed his heart. After one last sweep of the surroundings with his senses to ensure they were alone, he sent his body into a deep, much needed sleep.

  The glow of the setting sun against the jagged peaks surrounding Rowan bathed the time-hewn stone in a wash of red. The color seemed so vivid. Mayhap the intense hue was a unique trait of the local stone. Or, had this special mountaintop been reserved for the laird of the clan?

  Aedan’s position as the Vampire Coven’s laird gave her pause. They had enough challenges to overcome without adding that she was naught but a commoner.

  Through the break within the stones, she scanned the land below, how the fading sun highlighted the beauty of the mountains, glowing on the roll of fog that embraced the upper peaks. Never before had she seen such wonder.

  Leaves rustled behind her, and she turned. Another burst of wind sent the leaves twisting upon the limbs of a large tree growing from the ledge.

  The tree’s precarious placement should have been impossible. But as if crafted by a spell, the massive trunk rose from the cliffs, its multiple gnarled limbs like desperate arms reaching for the sky, the fog surrounding its trunk bestowing upon the entire base an otherworldly glow.

  “The tree is unique, is it not?”

  At the deep male voice behind her, Rowan whirled. A striking man stood several paces away, his height intimidating, his eyes deep bronze as if sparks sent by a mighty stroke of a smith’s hammer upon iron. Straight blond hair accented the sharp angle of his cheeks, his beard, and the hard line of his mouth.

  Aedan’s warning to remain nearby echoed in her mind. Why had she not remained beside him until he’d awoken?

  “Wh—Who are you?” she asked.

  The stranger lifted a curious brow. “As it is you who are trespassing within the private grounds of the Highland Coven, ’tis a question I should be asking.”

  Private grounds of the Highland Coven? Fear crawled through her. Aedan had told her this remote setting was known only to lairds and high members within his clan. This man was a vampire. From his presence, one high in rank within their clan.

  On edge, she shifted to the balls of her feet in case she needed to run. “I am a friend of Aedan’s.”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “You know the laird?”

  The laird. Heat rushed through her cheeks. Of course, why had she not thought to address Aedan as his position demanded? “My apologies at my inappropriate reference. I but woke moments ago, and my mind is a muddle.”

  Curiosity spilled through the stranger’s intense gaze. He strode toward her, his steps quiet, his stride graceful, that of a man comfortable with his power. Though he was a member of Aedan’s clan, was she safe from an attack?

  “ ’Twould seem you know my cousin,” he drawled. “Interesting, as never have I seen you within the walls of Caorann Castle.”

  “Your cousin?”

  A pace away he halted. “Aye, I am Breac MacGregor.”

  Regardless of his relationship to Aedan, she still did not know whether he was someone she could trust.

  A muscle worked in his jaw. “I asked if you knew the laird?”

  “Aye, I . . .” How did she explain that his cousin was her lover? That she carried his laird’s child? Or, that Aedan wanted her to remain at his side despite the differences in their stations?

  The vampire’s nostrils flared as he circled her once. He halted a pace before her. “You are human.” It wasn’t a question.

  Throat dry, she nodded and prayed, knowing Aedan would save her.

  Shrewd eyes scoured the surroundings, where the last rays of the day faded against the horizon. “How many days have you been here alone?”

  “Days? Aedan only brought me here this past night.”

  Shock on the vampire’s face eroded to anger, a slow fury that erased any sign of kindness. “Aedan is alive?”

  “Alive? Why would he not be al—” Alarm rolled through Rowan. The only reason Breac would believe she’d remained here alone for days was if he thought Aedan had brought her here expecting to return, then had died.

  Nay, was murdered, an attempt that failed.

  With sickening clarity she understood. Aedan’s cousin was behind the attempt at his life. How many others were involved in his treacherous plan? Aedan!

  “Where is he?!”

  She shook her head. “I know not.”

  Lightning quick Breac’s hand clasped her chin, angled her head from side to side. Understanding dawned within his eyes, then immense satisfaction. A slow, cruel smile settled upon his mouth.

  “Mayhap you know not where he is,” Aedan’s cousin said, “but he will return.”

  “Why do you believe that?” she whispered, stunned he could discern such a truth.

  “There is only one reason why you would be within the ancestral retreat and unconverted. You are of great importance to my cousin.”

  “I barely know him.”

  “Liar, I smell your pathetic human fear and his scent upon your skin.” He jerked her forward, scraped his teeth across her flesh. Stilled. “You carry his child.”

  Her fear of moments before was nothing to this blast of terror. He could not harm her child. “You do not understand.”

  “As if I give a damn that my cousin is a fool.”

  “I—”

  “The bastard you carry will nae live, of that I assure you.”

  Rowan tried to jerk free. “Nay—”

  His hand shot out, connected with her jaw. The force sent her sprawling.

  He stalked toward her, his face marred by bulging veins and fury. “Think you that a mere human holds any power against a vampire?”

  “Nay,” she whispered, her legs trembling as she shoved to her feet, pain throbbing through her skull. “Please, do not harm my child.” Heart pounding, she focused on him, refused the urge to glance toward the cave’s entry. Aedan would awaken any moment, and then he would save her. “Please, let me go,” she said, keeping the vampire’s attention diverted from the cave. “I will tell no one of this place.”

  He laughed, a cold brutal sound. “Nay, that you will not. When my cousin returns and finds you gone, he will come looking for you.”

  “He will not come after me,” she said, her mind scrambling to buy precious time. Aedan!

  The vampire’s lip curled with disgust. “E
nough. That I have wasted a word upon a human fills me with revulsion. Aedan will come, that we both know. And this time,” he said with twisted pleasure in his voice, “he will die.”

  A fog shrouded Aedan’s mind like a blanket. He mentally clawed his way to consciousness, his senses demanding he awaken. He gulped a deep breath, another. His heart kicked to life. He reached to his side.

  Empty.

  “Rowan?”

  Silence.

  A malignant unrest permeated the air, and Aedan shoved to his feet. “Rowan?”

  The far off curl of wind echoed within the tunnels. Otherwise, all was morbid silence.

  Mist swirled in his wake as he bolted outside. On edge, he scanned the chasm embraced by the mountains.

  Naught.

  He scoured the upper peaks. The moon’s edge crept into the sky, its eerie light warring with flickers of fading sunlight struggling in the wilting purple sky.

  A wisp of residual anger tainted the air.

  Anger? Heart pounding, he knew. Another vampire had been here, and since he’d known of this secret retreat, it had been a member of high regard within the clan. Whoever it was, he had Rowan.

  Why? He dismissed the possibility that she’d been taken to feed upon. Once she explained his relation to her and that she was under his protection, any member of his clan would have left her untouched.

  Or, he mused with growing dread, was whoever had taken her the same vampire who had plotted for him to die?

  Aedan wanted to believe that after finding her here alone, the other vampire had taken her to his home to keep her safe until he found Aedan and discovered the truth. But a sinking feeling in his gut assured him her disappearance was due to foul play. That sixth sense had saved his life many times over; he would listen to it now.

  While he’d slept, whoever had made an attempt on his life had arrived at the ancestral retreat and discovered Rowan outside. Somehow that vampire had gleaned that Aedan still lived, and had abducted her. But she’d not told her captor that Aedan slept deep inside the cave. If she had, no doubt he would now be dead.

  Aedan battled the flood of rage, focused on the one who would dare to try to kill him, the same vampire who now held Rowan and their child.

  Unless he’d already killed her?

  Nay, if she had died, he would have sensed the loss. Their link, one that forever bound them, would have perished.

  So she lived. But for how long?

  Until whoever had abducted her tasted her blood, he wouldn’t know of her fey heritage. Since it was forbidden to try to change a fairy into a vampire, if whoever held Rowan tried, the fairy queen would come, and he would die.

  But, what of Rowan? What of their child? Would Ysenda, the fairy queen, allow them to live? Bedamned. He must find them before it was too late!

  In a blur of mist, Aedan evaporated into the night.

  Chapter Six

  Rowan fought her growing panic as she took in the rocky coast, the weather-beaten mountains beyond.

  “Do not think you can escape from me,” Breac warned, the softness of his words, his complete control, terrifying. Judging by his actions, this vampire calculated his every move, left nothing to chance, except when it had come to killing Aedan.

  In that he’d failed.

  “Wh-Why do you hate Aedan?” she asked, needing to buy time to think up a plan to slip free.

  “I owe you no explanation. But I find myself curious how a human has so entranced a vampire that he leaves her with child. Especially considering he is our Highland Coven’s laird.” He paused. “You have no marks on your neck. Why has my cousin not claimed you?”

  “I know not.”

  Again his fist shot out.

  Pain slammed through her cheek. Rowan stumbled back, caught herself as she fell against the rocks. Please, let me not lose Aedan’s child!

  The vampire stalked toward her. “Methinks you are a witch, a very dangerous one to have seduced a powerful laird and a vampire centuries old.”

  Chills swept through her at the damning label. “I am no witch.”

  “Nay?”

  Tingles shivered inside her head.

  He was trying to read her mind! Until Aedan had taken her blood, his powers had allowed him to mentally guide her. Naught more. But were all vampires’ powers the same? Could his cousin read her thoughts?

  Long seconds passed.

  Deep bronze eyes smoldered. “Something is amiss,” he said, his words slow, deliberate. “Regardless, you will serve my purpose well.”

  Purpose? Whatever his depraved intent, she knew it boded ill to Aedan. Her mental calls to him had remained unanswered. However powerful this vampire, she must somehow slip away and warn Aedan. Heart pounding, Rowan shifted to the closest rock.

  In a burst of speed, the vampire caged her against the rough stone. Long, dangerous fingers clenched Rowan’s wrist tightly. “Think not of escape.” He jerked her to her feet.

  Waves pounded the shore in her wake as he hauled her along the rock-cluttered beach, up a narrow, winding path edged by the time-hewn cliffs. With the steep incline, it should have been a difficult trek, but he ascended the near vertical slide of land with incredible ease.

  The full moon on the horizon was just rising; hours remained this night before the vampire would seek the shelter of darkness against the sun, and who knew what he would do with that time.

  Aedan!

  Breac lifted her over the top of the cliffs, and an enormous castle came into view. Settled upon an immense cliff, its turrets spun skyward like a potent threat. Battlements severed the moonlight, spilling jagged shadows before her. Numerous windows were carved within the grand towers, the exquisite detail an exclamation of wealth. A sturdy wall surrounded the castle, the portcullis the first of many entries one would have to traverse before passing within the stronghold.

  “Caorann Castle,” Breac stated.

  Aedan’s home.

  Why was Aedan’s cousin bringing her here? How was he going to explain her presence? Did any of that really matter? His cousin wanted her dead.

  A gatehouse rose within the scarred wall, the blackened entry foreboding, the iron gate securing the portal like jagged teeth.

  He waved his hand. Metal creaked, and with slow menace, the forged iron lifted.

  How strong were this vampire’s powers? As laird of his coven, wouldn’t Aedan be still more powerful?

  “Move.” Breac tugged her forward.

  Eyes blurring with exhaustion, her legs threatening to give way, Rowan pushed forward.

  With each step, she saw more of the immense castle, the sturdy building as formidable as their laird. She could envision Aedan within this powerful stronghold; his compassion and intelligence would make him a leader loved and revered. However much he believed otherwise, she did not fit in his world.

  And never would.

  Panic consumed her as she scanned the remainder of this intimidating fortress. Where was Aedan? With the moon ascending in the sky, he must be awake. And, with their blood bond, why hadn’t he tracked her? Or, was there another unknown factor she hadn’t considered?

  They entered the bailey.

  The vampires working inside stopped to stare.

  A vampire with a long, white beard and bushy brows broke from a small group. With a nod, he strode toward them.

  Pulse racing, Rowan watched the elder’s approach. Was he part of Lord Breac’s twisted plan to kill Aedan? Would she be handed over to him to die?

  The elder vampire ignored her as he halted before them, an anxious expression on his face. “You have found The MacGregor?”

  “Nay, Sir Wayrn,” Breac replied, anger riding his voice, “but I have found the cause of our laird’s disappearance.”

  The elder glanced toward her. Wizened eyes flickered with surprise. “This human?”

  “Human mayhap, but also a witch,” Breac stated.

  Unsure what ill Breac was about, Rowan shook her head. “I am nae a witch, nor have I done anyth
ing to your laird. If there is any treachery about, ’tis by—”

  Breac hauled her up before his face. “Do nae speak unless given permission.”

  Trembling, Rowan laid her hands over her stomach, where her child grew.

  Bushy brows lifted. “The human lass carries a babe?”

  “Aye,” Breac hissed, his fingers unfurling from her garb. “Aedan’s.”

  The elder’s face paled. “It cannot be. Never would our laird leave a bastard child, especially not with a human.”

  “Aye, on that I agree. The lass must have bewitched him.” Breac’s fingers twisted in her hair, jerked her head back. “Tell Sir Wayrn.”

  Fear shot through Rowan, and her legs threatened to give. Lies, cast by the man who’d attempted to kill his cousin. But if she told the truth, she and her babe would die. She must stall.

  At her silence, Breac’s eyes darkened to a dangerous hue.

  Shaking, she nodded. “ ’Tis the truth.”

  The elder stumbled back as if punched. “To place one’s seed within a human is unthinkable for us. Never has such been done.”

  “Aye, which brings up a far greater concern.” Grief slashed the anger on Breac’s face. “Never would Aedan betray us unless the lass bewitched our laird with a spell of enormous strength.” He paused. “I fear my cousin is no longer of sound mind.”

  The elder’s face paled further.

  “Sir Wayrn, gather the coven,” Breac said. “I will explain everything then.”

  “Aye.” With one last glare at her, Sir Wayrn spun on his heel and hurried off.

  Never had a vampire slept with a human? Sir Wayrn’s words echoed in Rowan’s mind as Breac hauled her toward the massive steps of the keep. Aedan’s belief that they were mates explained his actions. He was proud of his heritage and his people. Never would he betray them.

  Fury built, blinding her to fear. “ ’Twas you who drugged Aedan,” she charged, “and then left him within the stone circle to die. Well you understood that the circle would drain a vampire’s power and if he awoke, he would be unable to leave.”