Marked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  Conn shrugged. “We’ve gotten complacent. The demons are consolidating their forces under Suri, and the Kurjans just won a big battle in Iceland and should be wanting another good fight soon. We all need to train.”

  “That’s not all,” Janie said softly.

  “No.”

  She stared at her uncle, trying not to wince at the deep lines of fatigue and pain cut into his chiseled face. Conn was the strongest soldier ever born, and now loose skin sagged on what used to be steel-tough muscles. Gray sprinkled liberally through his brown hair. “What else?” she asked.

  He dropped into a fighting stance. “If we don’t cure the virus, you all need to know how to fight. Even better than you do now.”

  She shook her head. No way was Conn saying good-bye to her. Losing the Kayrs men as well as the myriad of vampires across the world who’d taken the virus into their bodies to save their mates would be a huge blow to the Realm. Personally, Janie couldn’t even consider the cost. “We will find a cure.”

  “I know.”

  Running footsteps echoed down the hallway, and they both turned as Moira Kayrs, Conn’s mate, ran inside. Moira’s wild red hair cascaded around her face, her eyes glowed a brilliant green, and blue flames danced on her bare arms. “Conn?”

  Conn rushed toward her. “What, Dailtín? What’s wrong?”

  Moira swayed and grabbed both his forearms. “You’re, ah, not going to believe this. I mean—”

  He yanked her into him for a hug and rubbed a huge hand down her back. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. What’s going on?”

  Moira levered back. “I’m pregnant.”

  Conn stilled. Completely. “Wh-what?”

  Moira nodded vigorously. “Emma just confirmed it in the lab. I’m with child.”

  A brilliant smile split Conn’s face, and he bellowed a champion’s cry. He swung her up and around before holding her tight.

  Janie wiped away tears and discreetly headed for the doorway to give them space.

  A baby.

  She and Moira would both have little ones. How exciting. And how very terrifying—especially if the virus took their mates and left them all alone.

  Straightening her shoulders, she marched through the building to the lab. She was going to kill this little fucker of a virus and now.

  Month 4: Max

  Janie knocked on the large metal door set into a contemporary oceanfront home and smiled when Max Petrovsky opened it, dressed in worn sweats and nothing else.

  Even ill and leaner than ever before, Max’s cut figure looked every bit the hunter he was known to be.

  “I need your help,” Janie said.

  Max stepped aside to allow her entry. “Anything.”

  She moved inside the comfortably furnished home. Thick, cushioned sofas angled toward a rock-wall fireplace with colorful pillows strewn throughout in a welcoming chaos.

  Max shut the door and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sarah isn’t here.”

  “I know. She’s in school right now.” The vampires were trying to keep the routine as normal as possible for everyone, and that included school for the shifter and vampire kids. Sarah was the main teacher for the Realm. Janie sank into the sofa with a sigh of relief.

  “How are you feeling?” Max retrieved a shirt from a pile of folded laundry on an ottoman and yanked it over his head. “I thought the second trimester was supposed to be better?”

  “I feel better,” Janie lied. It was hard to feel anything but nauseated by the obvious decline in the vampire men. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fantastic. What can I do to help?” Max asked, his formidable concentration solely on her.

  “Zane wants to go fight Suri, and I need you to stop him.”

  Max lowered heavy brows. “Why me?”

  Because the king and her dad agreed with Zane. “You’re the voice of reason and always have been. Dage listens to you when things get emotional. This is emotional.”

  Max had been more than a bodyguard and more than another uncle to Janie through the years. He was good and kind and truly saw the world in straight lines.

  “I need you to talk to Dage,” she said.

  Max shook his head. “Dage isn’t the key to this. Zane is.”

  As if on cue, a heavy knock echoed on the door.

  Max gave her a look and opened the door to reveal Zane. “What a surprise,” Max muttered, gesturing him inside.

  Zane’s gaze caught Janie’s and held as he stomped inside. “I’d rather have this discussion in private.” His voice held a low threat.

  Max rolled his eyes. “This is my house. I’m not leaving.”

  “We are.” Zane nodded to Janie. “Let’s go, Belle.”

  Janie stood, her own temper pricking the back of her neck. “Fine.”

  Max eyed Zane. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine. You?” Zane glowered back.

  “Like shit, actually. My head hurts, my heart is beating too slowly, and my fucking knees feel weird.” Max leaned back against a jam-packed bookshelf. “Sound familiar?”

  Zane’s shoulders relaxed. “Very.”

  Max clapped him on the back. “So teleporting to Suri, teleporting him out, and then fighting him sucks as an idea right now. Right?”

  Zane shut his eyes. “Yes.”

  “It’s okay, Zane. We’re family, and we’ll figure this out,” Max said.

  Janie clutched the back of the sofa. Max had just called Zane family. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed Max to acknowledge Zane. “We’ll come up with a plan.”

  Max nodded and reached for a small package next to all the books. “I agree. Now, you two get back to work so I can make a nice dinner for my Sarah.” He handed the package to Janie as Zane drew her outside. “This is for you.” Without another word, he shut the door.

  Janie stood on the porch, her gaze on the package. Slowly, she slid out a picture of her and Max at her fifth birthday party. They both wore party hats, and delight filled her young face while amusement danced on Max’s deadly features.

  She turned toward Zane. “Why would he give me this now?”

  Zane faltered and then kept silent.

  Yeah. The shot was a remembrance of better times. “This is not good-bye,” Janie yelled.

  Month 5: Dage

  Janie rubbed her protruding belly in circular motions, humming to her son. She lounged on the sofa in the main gathering room of the lodge, watching the tumultuous ocean outside. The baby kicked her hand, and despite her sorrow, she smiled. She’d kill to have an ultrasound of the little guy, but vampire babies created too strong an amnio sac, and waves couldn’t permeate it.

  But her psychic abilities granted her some comfort. She could sense the spirit inside her—strong and good. Probably stubborn as heck. Just like Zane.

  “I’m glad to see you resting.” Dage crossed into the room, leaning heavily on a handmade walking stick.

  Seeing the king moving as if decrepit stabbed harsh nails into Janie’s heart. After months of searching, months of trials, they hadn’t found a cure for the virus. The Kayrs men were practically human by now. “The baby is kicking. Want to feel?”

  Delight flickered in Dage’s eyes, and he carefully spread a gnarled hand on Janie’s belly.

  The liver spots were new.

  The baby kicked. Hard.

  Dage chuckled and removed his hand. “He’s strong. Definitely a Kayrs.”

  “Kyllwood,” said a low voice from the doorway as Zane hitched into the room. While he didn’t require a cane, he moved like an old man. “I have Sam and Logan reaching out to any demon allies we might still have out there.”

  “Is Sam going to take on Suri?” Dage asked.

  “No.” Zane sat next to Janie and slipped his thin fingers through hers. “Talen and I have come up with a plan. We’re waiting another month, tops, and then we’re sending in a full assault with healthy vampires and shifters to Suri’s Idaho compound.”

  “Then what?” the
king asked wearily.

  “The orders are to take Suri alive, and then, we’ll have to figure it out. Kill him somewhere safe.” Zane’s hand trembled.

  Janie straightened up. “A month?”

  Dage and Zane shared a look.

  God. “Kane finished mapping the virus’s path.” Janie slid a comforting hand over her belly, her heart cracking. “Two months is what you have left.”

  “Maybe less.” The king leaned heavily on his cane; silver had overcome the black in his hair. “We’ve received the first reports of vampires succumbing to comas this week. We’re not far behind.”

  “No.” Janie struggled to her feet. “Let me talk to Kalin again. Please.”

  Dage sighed. “We’ve talked to Kalin until we’re blue in the face. We’ve tortured him. We’ve even tried to bribe him. The bastard is telling the truth. There’s no cure.”

  Janie stood tall, mentally telling fear to fuck off. “Then we contact his people again.”

  “Already have,” Zane said wearily. “Dayne has taken over as leader, and if you ask me, he doesn’t want Kalin back. If he wanted to save his cousin, he would’ve mounted an attack by now.”

  “So what the hell do we do with Kalin?” Janie asked.

  Dage’s weathered face tightened. “He dies before we do.”

  Zane nodded. “I won’t leave him here to be a threat to you or my child.”

  “I’m not giving up,” Janie said, her heart thundering. The men in her life couldn’t leave her alone—she needed her family. Her son deserved to know these incredible people.

  “Neither are we, sweetheart. But we have to be proactive.” Dage tugged a folded piece of paper from his back pocket to hand it to Janie. “I had a vision.”

  Janie slowly unfolded the paper to see a drawing of a handsome, sixteen-year-old male vampire. Make that a vampire-demon. “This is our son?”

  “Yes.” Dage tapped the kid’s chin. “Stubborn chin.”

  Zane leaned around to see. “He has my good looks.”

  “Definitely.” Janie’s lips trembled when she smiled. “So this is the guy inside me?”

  “Chances are,” Dage said. “He’s definitely from the two of you.”

  “But maybe it’s not this baby.” Janie’s teeth clenched as she scrambled to find hope. “This could be our third son. Heck, our eighth son. We’re going to cure this virus, and Zane is going to give me a barrel of sons.”

  Zane lifted an eyebrow. “Eight kids?”

  “Yes.” She reached up and kissed his chin. “I’m going back to work.”

  Dage reached for her and enveloped her in a hug. “I’m not saying good-bye. Just that I love you and I’m proud of you.” He nodded at Zane. “And I’m so pleased you’ve found your mate.”

  Janie swallowed past a huge lump in her throat. “I love you, too.”

  The words were soft, but they really did feel like good-bye.

  Month 6: Talen

  Janie rubbed her aching belly and knocked on her parents’ home, a plate warming her hands. The wind bustled around her, and she shivered.

  Her father answered, a smile splitting his face. The sight of his pale skin threw her, as did the lightening of his warm golden eyes. It was as if the gold wasn’t strong enough to stay.

  She held out the plate. “I made your favorite cookies.”

  “Chocolate chip?” He drew her inside and led her to the kitchen before accepting the treats.

  “Yes.” She reached for him, and he enveloped her in a hug of warmth and pine. The feel and smell of safety.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble around her.

  She stepped back and forced a smile. “That’s my line. Any better?”

  “Much.” He leaned back against a marble counter, the lie obvious on his blue-tinted lips. “Any interesting theories or results from today’s blood draw?”

  “No.” She’d give anything to find a cure for him. “But we’re working around the clock. Don’t worry, we’ll find a cure.” She patted his thin arm. “You’re too tough to keep down for long.”

  His grin flashed a perfect dimple in his right cheek. “I’m too mean, that is.”

  She nodded, her lips trembling. “Exactly.”

  “Sweetheart, stop worrying so much. Love is the one thing that makes Kayrs men stronger, so it could never be the thing that takes us down. Trust me.” He pushed back to sit on the counter, his feet still touching the floor.

  “I do.” She stretched her neck and studied the man who’d made the world safe while also giving her a family. “Do you ever wonder what life would’ve been like if you hadn’t rescued Mom and me from the Kurjans?”

  Talen lifted one gray eyebrow. “No.”

  Amusement bubbled up, easing the constant pain of worry for a moment. “No? Not at all?”

  “No. Some things are meant to be, and some people are meant to be. You and your mother were meant to be mine.”

  Janie kept her smile. Her dad was one of a kind and had no intention of ever hiding himself. “I don’t think many women in the world would’ve accepted your, ah, outdated approach.”

  Talen smiled. “Your mother is one of a kind. Evolved and brilliant.”

  And happy. Talen had made Cara happy for decades now. Janie cleared her throat. “So, you and Zane have reached peace?”

  Talen sighed. “Yes.” The strong planes of his face sobered. “It’s difficult seeing your daughter grow up. If I could, I’d have you still be five years old, fascinated with ponies and faeries. Not demons.”

  “I know.” She shuffled her feet, her stomach aching. “Does Zane’s lineage bother you?”

  “No. He’s a good man, a good fighter. I couldn’t care less about his lineage.” Talen pushed away from the counter to stand.

  “What about the pregnancy, Grandpa?”

  Talen shook his head. “I’m not old enough to be a grandfather.”

  “You’re three and a half centuries old.”

  “Exactly.” Talen nodded, his gaze dropping to her abdomen. “We’ll protect and love this little guy with everything we are and everything we have. He’ll have a good life.”

  “I know.” Janie moved forward to touch her father’s arm. “Thank you. For rescuing me, and for being my dad.”

  Talen straightened. “I’m not going anywhere, Janie. No good-byes here.”

  She nodded. “Some things just need to be said sometimes.”

  “In that case, thank you for being my daughter. My life meant nothing before you and your mother came home with me.”

  Like they’d had much of a choice. Janie stepped into her father’s arms, the one place she’d always been safe. “We’ll fix this, Dad. I promise.”

  “I know.” The doorbell rang, and Talen’s head lifted. “You expecting somebody?”

  “Yes.” She slid her arm through her father’s as they made their way to the door. “I asked Zane to pick me up here on the way to the lab. He’s due for another round of tests.” She opened the door to find her mate looking as pale and elderly as her father, so she forced a smile. “There’s my guy.”

  Zane slipped his hand over hers. “Talen. How you feeling?”

  “Great. You?”

  “Perfect,” Zane said.

  Talen pressed a kiss to Janie’s forehead. “I’ll be along shortly. If your mother’s at the lab, please tell her I’ll meet her there and then walk her home.” With a nod to Zane, he shut the door.

  Janie bit her lip to keep from crying.

  Zane sighed and tightened his hold on her hand. “Talen will be all right.”

  “I know.” The only way to heal her father would be to find a cure. She held Zane’s hand and turned to go down the steps and onto the sidewalk. The wind whistled, and leaves dropped from colorful trees.

  Death was all around them.

  They walked in silence, both lost in thought. Minutes later they escaped the wind in the massive lodge, and Janie led the way to the main lab. It was empty. “Mom and Em
ma will probably be back soon.” She suddenly felt numb.

  “I know. Keep hope, Janie. We’ll find a cure.” Zane shivered, even in the warm lab.

  Desperation tasted like raw acid pouring down her throat. She wanted to fight, and she wanted to hit something. The baby bounced inside her. Could he feel her fear? Her horrible panic?

  Zane pulled her into his lean body. So lean—no fat and hardly any muscle. His odd blend of demon and vampire blood had made the virus grow more slowly in him than in the vampires, but it was still taking its toll.

  She inhaled his scent, his very essence. Why wasn’t she strong enough to save him? There had to be a way. The baby kicked her, bouncing against Zane’s flat stomach. He chuckled.

  She leaned back, tears blurring his face. “Please don’t leave me.”

  He opened his mouth to answer, and the room rocked.

  A series of explosions ripped through the peaceful day in such rapid succession it was impossible to tell where one ended and the next began.

  The floor rolled, and they fell.

  Zane turned so she landed on him.

  A blaring alarm roared through the building.

  Zane helped her up, his face pale, rage filling his nearly colorless eyes. “We’re under attack. Run.”

  Chapter 29

  Janie scrambled down the hallway, ducking flying glass and slivers of wood. The earth rocked, and she fell. Pain vibrated up her palms to her shoulders. Her knees ached.

  Zane grabbed the back of her shirt and hauled her up, pushing her into the janitor’s closet. Shoving cleaning supplies and a mop out of the way, he revealed a silver keypad. His fingers flew over the pad, and a secret door snicked open.

  “Go, go, go,” he said, pushing her inside and yanking the door shut behind them. “Run, Belle.”

  Her mind swirled, and panic heated her breath. The full out assault would destroy Realm headquarters and alert nearby humans. She shoved open another door and jogged down a long flight of stairs cut into the rock, her hands finding purchase on the smooth stone walls.

  Zane labored behind her. “Do you have your phone?”