by Creator
“Does anyone know anything about vampires?” Gabriel asked.
Everyone looked blankly at each other. They hadn’t realized that vampires existed. The only information they had was from movies and books, which obviously wasn’t accurate since the vampire had already been in the house uninvited and during the daytime.
Gabriel sighed. “It’s probably like finding a needle in a haystack trying to weed fact from fiction. I’m not sure if there’s any way for us to prepare ourselves adequately. Not unless we can find someone who’s already tangled with one of these creatures.”
Connor spoke up, “When we contact the other packs, we’ll see if they have had any dealings with vampires or know anything about them.”
Gabriel looked at Cassie. “I don’t suppose there’s a spell or something that would keep him out?”
Cassie shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I can consult with my friends and family. If there isn’t anything in place, maybe we can come up with one.”
Gabriel nodded. He appreciated everyone’s help, but he wished there was more they could do right away. He didn’t feel safe leaving Kiera alone. And even if she weren’t alone, he couldn’t guarantee her safety. The vampire was faster and quieter than anything he’d ever seen.
Kiera stood. “If everyone will come to the kitchen, I have a small spread and drinks set out. You’re welcome to help yourselves.”
A few murmured their appreciation for her thoughtfulness and everyone slowly walked to the kitchen. Gabriel and Kiera followed behind.
Pulling his wife close, Gabriel kissed the top of her head. “We’ll get it all figured out, honey. One way or another, I’ll keep you safe.”
Kiera looked up at him with troubled eyes. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Gabriel. I know you mean well, but right now, none of us are equipped to handle a vampire. If he were to show up right now, there wouldn’t be anything you could do to stop him from taking me.”
Gabriel growled softly. “You better damn well believe that I would try! I may not be as fast as he is and possibly not as strong, but he wouldn’t walk out of here with you without a fight on his hands.”
Kiera caressed his cheek. “That’s what worries me the most. If he’s going to come and take me, the last thing I want is for you to be injured or worse. You have a pack and family to consider. Promise me you won’t do anything foolish.”
He shook his head. “I can’t promise that, Kiera. You’re my mate, my wife… I can’t promise that I won’t fight for you if it comes down to that.”
Kiera realized he hadn’t mentioned love anywhere in his little speech. At least he cared enough to want to save her, even if she thought he shouldn’t. “I just don’t want to see you hurt, or worse, dead.”
“And that’s how I feel about you; it’s why I can’t make that promise. Do you think I want to see you at his mercy; unable to do anything to stop him for torturing you or killing you?”
Kiera sighed. “I guess we’ll have to call it a draw. You aren’t going to get what you want and I won’t get what I want.”
“Hopefully we’ll both get what we want; don’t underestimate that group in there,” he said with a nod toward the kitchen.
She nodded and wrapped her arms around him. “I won’t. Now let’s go join them before they start wondering what we’re up to.”
He smiled. “I’m sure my cousins and brothers are already speculating.”
Chapter Eleven
The next morning Kiera once again woke to an empty bed. She sighed and rolled over, burying her face in her pillow. There were times she wondered if Gabriel worked long hours because it’s what he had always done, or if he worked long hours to avoid her. They were great together in bed and most days he was attentive at other times as well, but there just seemed to be something lacking.
Kiera rolled back over and stared at the ceiling. She knew she hadn’t made a mistake by marrying him. He was her mate and destined to be with her. The question was did he regret marrying her? She knew that she should just talk to him and let him know what she was feeling, but that was easier said than done. In theory, it made perfect sense. In reality, it wasn’t easy to have an intimate conversation with someone who was still a virtual stranger to you, even if you were sleeping with them.
Obviously lying in bed all day wasn’t going to help anything. Stretching, Kiera slipped out of bed and walked into the bathroom. She flipped on the light and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
“A lovely sight first thing in the morning,” a voice murmured behind her.
Spinning to face the intruder, Kiera spotted the vampire in the corner. Looking over her shoulder at the mirror, she realized that the myth about vampires not having a reflection was true. Unfortunately, it was too little information and it was a little too late.
“What do you want?” she asked her voice shakier than she had hoped it would be. She didn’t want to show her fear.
He chuckled. “I thought that would have been rather obvious by now. I want you, of course.”
Kiera’s heart was racing. She knew she couldn’t outrun him, couldn’t fight him off, and had no prayer of surviving. She’d never been so terrified in her life.
The vampire took a step toward her. “You know, I had thought it would be harder to get you alone, especially after my little notes. Don’t you find it odd that your mate has left you unprotected even after my threats?”
Kiera eyed him uncertainly. What was he getting at? “Gabriel’s at work. It isn’t like he can stop working just because I’m in danger.”
“Are you sure that’s it? Are you sure he couldn’t take off? If he loved you, don’t you think he’d be here now?” the vampire asked, preying on her fears.
Kiera swallowed, doubts swirling through her mind. Gabriel had been good to her, but he had yet to mention the word “love.” She had hoped that love would come in time, but what if it didn’t? What if she spent her whole life wondering what it would be like to be loved?
“I see I’ve hit upon something,” the vampire said. “Obviously he hasn’t confessed his love to you.”
Kiera met his gaze, “Just because he hasn’t said it doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel it. Not all men are free with their emotions.”
“True, very true, but seeing as how you’re married surely he would have said something,” the vampire replied.
Kiera shrugged, feigning nonchalance that she really didn’t feel. Her self-doubts were eating away at her and the vampire knew it. He had known exactly where to fling his barbs.
“What does it matter to you?” she asked.
The vampire smiled. “It doesn’t, not really. However, I find it interesting that you haven’t denied the fact that you love him. What’s it like to love someone who doesn’t return your affection?”
“Just stop it! If you’re going to kill me, get it over with,” Kiera said, tired of his games.
With lightning speed, the vampire was behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist, his other hand tipping her head sideways, exposing her long throat. “Are you sure that’s what you want me to do?” he asked softly.
Kiera was so nervous she was shaking. Why had she baited him like that? Was it going to hurt when he bit her? Would it be a slow death? Would she know her life was ending?
The vampire bent his head closer, inhaling her scent. “Your blood calls to me, begs to be taken,” he said, trailing his tongue along her skin.
Kiera shivered in revulsion. “What do you want from me? If you were going to kill me, you would have done it already.”
Nuzzling her neck, the vampire murmured, “Are you sure? Maybe I just like playing with my food,” he said, rubbing himself against her.
Kiera could feel his erection as he pressed himself closer. She closed her eyes, terrified of what would happen next. She hadn’t counted on him wanting her in that way. Her skin broke out in a fine sweat as she contemplated her fate. If she screamed, would anyone hear her? Would they get to her in time?
&n
bsp; Pulling her tighter against his body, the vampire kissed her neck. “Yes, I’m definitely going to enjoy playing with my food.”
Abruptly he released her. Kiera was too afraid to move. Prying her eyes open, she turned her head to look over her shoulder. He was gone!
She collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Why was he toying with her like this? Why was he dragging it out?
Crawling over to the shower, Kiera turned it on. She stripped out of her gown and crawled under the water. Not bothering to close the shower door, she curled up and cried. She cried for the fate she knew was surely coming; she cried for the love she wished she had; and she cried for what would never be. She had no doubt that the vampire would eventually finish what he started; one day he would tire of his games and kill her, draining her dry.
She heard Connor’s voice calling from the hallway, but she couldn’t answer. She rocked back and forth under the water, her arms wrapped around her knees, reliving the past few minutes over and over.
“Kiera, are you in there?” Connor asked as he neared the bathroom door. He could hear the shower running, but the door was wide open. Wouldn’t she have closed it before getting in the shower?
“Kiera,” he called out once more.
When he didn’t get an answer, he stepped into the bathroom and froze. He saw Kiera curled up in the bottom of the shower, crying. He quickly averted his eyes.
“Kiera, are you okay?” he asked.
She didn’t answer.
Connor wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to embarrass her or anger Gabriel. Deciding that he shouldn’t be the one to extract her from the shower, he quickly ran downstairs. He had offered to stop by this morning to keep an eye on Kiera, but apparently he hadn’t arrived soon enough.
Rushing across the street, he ran into the garage. He spotted Gabriel under a car and jogged over to him.
Hearing footsteps, Gabriel slid out from under the Charger he was working on. “What’s wrong?” he asked, noticing the panicked look on Connor’s face.
“There’s something wrong with Kiera. She’s in the shower, curled up on the floor. I think the vampire’s been back,” he said in a voice low enough that customer’s wouldn’t overhear.
Gabriel jerked to his feet and took off for the house. Taking the stairs two at a time, he bolted for his bedroom. Seeing the open bathroom door, he approached the door with caution.
When he looked inside and saw Kiera rocking back and forth under the water, his heart broke. Walking to her side, he kneeled outside of the shower door.
“Kiera, sweetheart, can you hear me?” he asked softly.
Kiera didn’t respond, just continued rocking back and forth.
Realizing she must be in shock, Gabriel turned off the water, wrapped her in a towel and lifted her into his arms. He walked into the bedroom with her and laid her on the bed.
Connor stood in the hallway just outside.
“Is she okay?” he asked.
Gabriel shook his head. “I don’t know. Would you close the door? I’m going to get her dressed and see if I can get her to snap out of it,” he answered.
Connor nodded and pulled the door shut as Gabriel has requested. He headed back downstairs to give the couple some privacy.
Once they were alone, Gabriel removed Kiera’s towel and dried her off. Pulling out a pair of her panties and a bra, he slipped them on her. He rummaged through her things and found a loose pair of pants and a knit top.
Dressing Kiera, he watched her face for any sign that she was coming back to him. She stared vacantly at the ceiling, completely unaware of what was happening.
Lifting her into his arms, he held her close.
“Come back to me, Kiera. Please come back to me,” he murmured in her ear. He gently rocked her and rubbed her back.
What had happened? Connor had mentioned the vampire, but Gabriel hadn’t seen any evidence that the bloodsucker had been around.
“Honey, you’re scaring me. Please talk to me. Tell me what happened,” he coaxed, hoping she would respond.
There was a knock at the door.
“What?” Gabriel growled, hating the interruption.
Connor stepped into the room. “I think I can help.”
Gabriel looked at his cousin, thinking. “What can you do for her?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but there’s a chance I might be able to connect with her – mentally. I can’t promise it will work, but I thought I could try,” he replied.
Gabriel gave him a terse nod.
Connor stepped closer, stopping when he stood beside them. He reached for Kiera’s hands, taking them in his own. Hunkering down so that he was eye level with her, he concentrated.
The fear he saw in her mind made him wince. He tried to sort through her thoughts and memories, piecing together what had happened to her. Shaken from what he saw, he released her hands and looked at Gabriel.
“What? What did you see?” Gabriel asked.
“You don’t want to know,” Connor answered.
“She’s my wife damn it! Of course I want to know,” he growled.
“He caught her when she was alone, surprising her in the bathroom. He terrorized her, making her think he was going to kill her, before threatening to…” Connor trailed off, unable to complete the thought much less the sentence.
“Threatening to what?” Gabriel asked in a flat voice, terrified that he already knew the answer.
Connor swallowed the knot in his throat. “He told her that he was going to enjoy playing with her before he killed her.” He stopped and looked Gabriel in the eye. “Don’t make me say it… don’t make me tell you the rest.”
Gabriel tightened his hold on Kiera. “We won’t let that happen; we won’t let him near her.”
Connor took Kiera’s hands again, trying to get past the fear and memories, trying to find her. She had hidden herself away somewhere deep inside. Connor just needed to find her and coax her back out.
After what seemed like an eternity, Kiera blinked and slowly looked around the room.
“Where am I?” she asked quietly.
“Oh thank god!” Gabriel exclaimed, hugging her, kissing her hair.
“Gabriel?” she asked, looking up at him. “What are you doing home?”
He laughed weakly. “I came home for you, sweetheart. I came home to see you.”
She nodded and looked at Connor, who was still eye level with her. “Hi Connor, I didn’t realize you were here.”
He smiled. “Morning Kiera, I haven’t been here for long; just stopped in to spend a little time with you today.”
She nodded; a frown on her face. Everything was a little fuzzy. Looking down, she noticed her clothes. When had she gotten dressed?
“Gabriel, what’s going on? I don’t remember getting dressed,” she said.
He hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry about it, honey. You weren’t feeling well this morning so I had to help you.”
Kiera fought to remember what had happened. She felt fine, maybe a little weak, but overall she felt the same as she always did. Why had Gabriel had to help her with her clothes?
In a flash, the memories nearly suffocated her; the vampire, his threats, how scared she had felt. She gasped, “He was here.”
“Shh; you’re okay now. He isn’t going to hurt you, Kiera. I’m here and so is Connor,” Gabriel told her.
She huddled into him, drawing strength from being near him. “I was so scared, and he said such awful things to me,” she said, a silent tear falling on her cheek.
“I won’t make the same mistake twice. I won’t leave the house until I know someone is here to watch over you,” he said.
Connor decided to leave the two alone and quietly slipped out of the room. After seeing Kiera’s memories, he felt sick and angry. So far, only one pack had responded to his inquiry for more werewolves. Pulling his cell phone out, he decided he wasn’t taking no for an answer and started making phone calls. One way or another, Kiera would be protected
. No woman should ever have to go through that.
Chapter Twelve
One month later
Kiera was in the living room, surrounded by werewolves, or at least it felt that way. Connor had managed to get twenty wolves from various states to come to her aid. There were at least five in the house at all times, with another five patrolling the grounds. They worked in shifts with ten on and ten off duty twenty-four hours a day.
She felt suffocated, but in a good way. The vampire hadn’t been back in the house, at least not to her knowledge. There hadn’t been another note or anymore threatening appearances. She hadn’t relaxed yet. She knew the moment her guard was down he would strike, so she stayed alert and focused.
Noting the time, she headed into the kitchen to make lunch for everyone. Feeding such a large crowd, she had been making casseroles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One day a week they would order pizza and on Saturdays they ordered Chinese food to help break up the monotony and give Kiera a break.
Pulling two large casserole dishes from the cabinet, Kiera began gathering her ingredients. She was going to make chicken with cheesy rice for lunch. It was simple to make and filling enough to feed twelve werewolves and herself.
Kiera hummed as she cooked. She looked forward to lunch because Gabriel always came home. It was hard to have alone time with someone when there were always so many people around. Their love life had slacked off a bit, mostly because of her. She was embarrassed to make love to him while there were strangers in the house. With their sensitive hearing, she knew they picked up on every little thing.
Once the dishes were in the oven, she pulled out the paper plates and plastic forks. It hadn’t taken long for Kiera to realize that doing the dishes three times a day for so many people just wasn’t possible. Now they stocked up on disposable things, including cups.