Instead, he caught her, his green eyes shining bright in the darkness, as he shielded her from the blast. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she screamed, a combination of rage, and fear.
A brilliant white light erupted, blinding her momentarily. Then she felt something soft, like down feathers, caress along her bare arms, and shoulders, wrapping her closer to Lincoln who still held her arms in his big hands.
She was pressed against his leanly sculpted body, his heart thumping in his chest. Somewhere in the back of her head she knew she should move, find whoever shot at… Who did they shoot at? And why?
His warmth surrounded her, chasing back the shock and fear. Victoria finally opened her eyes to find herself in Lincoln’s glowing gaze. Light radiated off his body, and…Wings?
Her eyes widened as she splayed her hand against the feathers wrapped around her, holding her tight against his body.
Victoria snapped out of the daze and caught his face in her hands. He stared blindly at her. Shock clear on his face.
“Are you okay?” she asked, but he didn’t respond. “Lincoln, are you hurt?”
* * * *
Brilliant white light snapped Byron out of his rage, then pain sent him to his knees as the shotgun fell from his hands.
Blinking, he looked to the bitch’s car, but all he saw was white blinding light before he turned away. His vision was spotty from staring at the radiant light. Partially blind, he stumbled through the woods, back to his truck. He had a feeling he’d made a huge mistake.
Clearly the young man was not human. Whatever else he was, dangerous topped the list. Protecting a manipulative whore, causing him harm.
What the fuck is he?
Finally, he made it to his beat-to-shit ride and fell into the seat. Pulling his jacket and shirt to the side, he examined his bicep. The bullet entered but hadn’t come out.
At full awareness of the injury, his pain doubled and his stomach heaved. Raising his arm above his head, he started the engine and prayed he made it back to HARP’s base before passing out.
* * * *
Dazed, Lincoln stood in front of Victoria, sure he was dead. All he could see was white light, and her beautiful dark eyes filling with tears as her mouth moved.
Then she shoved him, and the world started to come back into focus, darkness seeping into the white. “Lincoln, are you all right? Are you hurt?” she yelled.
Blinking, he rolled his shoulders and the cocoon of white flexed and unwrapped. The weight of his… Wings?
Wings!
Oh boy, they’re heavy.
His head jerked to the side as his wings stretched, white feathers shimmering in the moonlight. He couldn’t do much more than stare.
Letting go of Victoria, he stumbled back and started to fall, but on instinct his wings flapped and he found himself rising into the air.
His chest heaved in great pants that did nothing to slow his heart or calm him.
Victoria caught his hands and pulled him back to the ground with a peculiar awe-struck look on her face. “Are you hurt?” she asked softly.
“Don’t think so,” he answered lamely, afraid to move and start flying? Again. “I’m not sure what happened.” Reaching up, he felt behind him, finding where the big, powerful wings connected to him. Somehow, his shirt was fine and Lincoln wasn’t sure what to think. “How?”
“Shh,” she uttered, then reached into her car to grab her phone. “Let’s find out what the hell happened. I’ll call Slater.”
Headlights came down the driveway. The car shut off, and Preston and Dacia rushed toward them.
“You have wings?” Dacia asked in surprise. “Like angel wings!”
Preston shook his head. “Heard the gunshot echoing down the street, then felt you—evolve? I don’t know, I felt you, then it was more. What happened?”
Lincoln shook his head. He knew Preston could sense a being’s essence.
Did I evolve? Am I something more now?
Preston looked to Victoria. “I only sense you and Lincoln now. There was a human here. Why did they shoot?”
She shrugged, pressing the phone to her ear. “Yeah. Shotgun by the sound of it. Not sure what happened. Lincoln seems unharmed.” Then her gaze shifted to the ground. “Slater, come to Lincoln’s. Please. Maybe call Sheriff Hunter.”
She hung up and tossed the phone into her car before walking around Lincoln.
A soft touch on his wings dropped him to his knees with a whimper.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No,” he managed.
“What’s wrong?”
Thanking the darkness for hiding his blush, he closed his eyes. “They’re sensitive.”
Her hands came away and he had to hold himself still to keep from leaning back seeking her touch. It felt intimate, something he’d never experienced. He wanted more.
If it weren’t for Dacia watching with wide eyes, he might not have been embarrassed.
Preston searched the dense trees next to the wall separating their properties.
“I didn’t hurt you?” Victoria worried.
“No,” he whispered. “Not at all,” he answered more strongly.
Her hands smoothed down one wing, searching, but he felt her touch all the way to his soul, easing his tattered nerves, and seducing him at the same time.
He tried to ignore the erection pressing against his fly as her fingers trailed back to the other wing before slowly exploring the opposite side.
With a pained exhale, his hands landed on the ground in front of him and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block the desire pushing him toward climax.
“I felt the impact. The bullet hit you, but there’s no wound.”
“Shielded somehow.” He shook his head, not understanding. The overwhelming lust certainly didn’t help.
She walked in front of him and crouched down to look him in the eyes. “I’m sorry. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. You shielded me. You kept me safe.” She stood and held a hand out.
He took it and rose to his feet. “Didn’t want you hurt. I felt the malice, but it wasn’t directed at me. I don’t get it.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Victoria promised.
Preston came back to them. “Human all right. And he dropped the shotgun. I’ll have someone run the serial number, see if we can find out who owns it.”
“We need to find him,” Victoria said.
“Agreed. Seems the bullet ricocheted and hit the shooter. There’s blood where he stood.” Preston looked to Victoria. “Have any enemies?”
She snorted. “Of course. Vampires tend to collect them, no matter how careful we are. Though I couldn’t name one with enough motive to kill me. I always end things amicably.”
Lincoln shuddered, preferring not to think about whom she drank from, and if they may have some kind of romantic or sexual relationship.
“Dare I ask what you are, Lincoln, exactly? I have a guess, but I’d rather hear it from you.” Preston gave him a surprisingly warm smile.
“Nephilim. My father was an angel. I wasn’t supposed to get wings.”
“Mother tell you that?” Dacia asked, a touch of anger in her eyes.
He nodded. “She believed he might have fallen, and that’s why he never came back to us. She never gave up hope though.”
Preston frowned. “Did she ever say why she believed he was fallen?”
“No.” He lifted his shoulder, and first one wing curled around him, then the other. Lincoln gasped as he peeked over the white feathers. A hint of panic set in as he wondered if his wings would always be on display now. “I don’t have a clue what to do with them.” He touched the top curve, then rolled his shoulders. They opened again and he shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“We’ll figure it out, Lincoln. Never met a Nephilim, but I know an angel. His wings show up when he needs them. Otherwise they’re not really there. Don’t ask me to explain. I
don’t have the answer. As half, I’m assuming your wings will do the same.”
“I’ve no clue how to make them go away,” Lincoln admitted, giving them another dubious look.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened. What you remember.”
Lincoln’s wings settled behind him. He glanced down at his feet. “I walked Victoria to her car and helped her in. There was an angered snarl a second before I heard the gun go off. Victoria moved fast, but I caught her. I couldn’t let her be hurt. Then all I saw was white and Victoria staring at me with tears in her eyes. I felt the bullet bounce off me, I think.” He shook his head. “Not much help, am I?”
“No, that’s perfect. Honestly, more coherent than I expected since you had every right to be flabbergasted.”
“I knew it was a possibility.” Lincoln touched the feathers of one wing and was relieved he didn’t feel the same erotic sensation as Victoria’s caress. “Never expected them though.”
“No one knows, do they?” Dacia asked.
“Never told anyone but Jess. Not even sure why, but I trust her. Having gone this long without wings, I didn’t think it would be an issue.” He shook his head. “That’s the wrong word. Never expected the topic to come up.”
Preston gave him a nod. “I’ll make a call. An old friend might be able to give you a couple hints on how to put them away.” He went back to his car.
Dacia moved closer, a soft smile on her face. “It makes sense. You were always so pure, so innocent.” Her head tilted as she studied the wings but didn’t touch. “They’re beautiful.”
A truck pulled in and Lincoln jumped at the sound. Slater climbed out of the driver’s seat, walking over. Mortified, as though he was standing naked, Lincoln wanted to hide. He never thought his secret would come out, least of all in such an obvious way.
Slater’s eyes slid to Victoria in annoyance. “Didn’t warn him you were calling me?”
“I heard the phone call,” Lincoln admitted.
Jess slipped from the truck with a smile. “Guess the secret’s out. And it wasn’t me who spilled.”
Lincoln couldn’t help smiling. “Suppose so.”
“What happened?” Slater asked.
Victoria gave the explanation, and Lincoln started to relax as the shocked expressions turned to acceptance.
Preston climbed out of his car. “Hey, Lincoln, come here a second.”
Taking a breath, Lincoln left the conversation to talk with Preston. “Yes?” he asked hesitantly.
“Couldn’t get in touch with him. Let’s try something that helped me out of a sticky situation. All right?”
Frowning, he answered, “Sure.”
“Close your eyes.”
Lincoln did.
“Breath slow and steady.”
Took a moment, but he managed.
“Remember what you looked like standing before the mirror earlier tonight, when you got dressed.”
Lincoln’s nerves came back, but he fought that down, and pictured himself in his head.
A weight disappeared from his back, and his shoulders slumped in relief.
Lincoln opened his eyes and looked behind himself. No wings.
“Don’t worry. They’ll be there when needed. Maybe my buddy can help you learn to control them. Won’t get to meet him for a couple days. He’s across the world at the moment.” Preston clapped his hand on Lincoln’s shoulder. “Depending on how far you want this news to travel, you may want to lay low for now.”
“In this town, it’s sure to come out eventually.” Lincoln felt sick at the prospect. He was used to being nearly invisible. Now the situation was changing though, and he was gaining attention.
“Hey, you’re still you.”
He nodded. “And people will accept me as is. Why hide? It’s not like I can keep wings a secret forever.”
“True, but I know what it’s like being different from everyone. If you ever need to chat, give me a call. I mean it.” Preston nodded over to the rest of them. “You’ve impressed Victoria.”
Lincoln looked up and his eyes locked on hers. A smile pulled at her lips as she watched him. There was a trace of hope in her eyes. He couldn’t resist the magnetic pull, and let it guide his feet back to her.
He took her hand. “You’re okay?”
She laughed softly. “Me? Of course. You’re the one who deflected a bullet.” Her breath caught. A flash of rage darkened her eyes briefly. “I’m so sorry I got you into this mess.”
He huffed. “You would have been fine. You’re stronger, faster, and better equipped to deal with craziness than I’ll ever be.”
“Don’t doubt yourself, Lincoln. What you did, even if purely instinctive, was pretty amazing.”
Normally, he’d blush the compliment away, but the words from her lips were more sincere than he expected. His heart soared in response.
* * * *
Something shifted between them. A connection, one Victoria didn’t trust, sparked to life. She’d seen what happened when someone got too close to her. That’s why she had rules she followed, keeping everyone at a distance.
Victoria had already broken several for Lincoln. Something about his innocent smile made her want to throw every last rule out. She wanted to believe she wasn’t hopelessly damned, or would drag Lincoln down to her level.
Slater cleared his throat, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I’ll check to see if there are any clues left.”
Preston nodded. “Get his scent. I’m confident it was a human. Not sure of much else. Unfortunately, tracking mortals is a lot harder than Others for me. There is blood though. Maybe you can sniff him out.”
“What will happen to him?” Lincoln asked, a slight tremble in his voice.
“Hayden will question him. Perhaps the Silver Council. The decision will be made from there.”
He nodded, not making a sound. She saw the concern in his features. Another reminder of his innocence.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Lincoln asked.
“Not at this time,” Preston gently answered.
“They’ll let us know, even if it’s just to tell us they found him and what happened,” Victoria said, more as a suggestion for Slater.
Slater nodded. “We will keep you updated.”
Lincoln didn’t look too happy about that statement.
Frankly, she wanted to keep Lincoln out of the entire mess. If she were him, she would hate her for bringing trouble to his home.
Victoria looked into Lincoln’s beautiful pale green eyes and nearly lost herself there. She needed answers first. After a breath, she redirected, “You seem shaken. Maybe we can watch that movie another night, after our first dance lesson.”
Disappointment flashed across his face but he nodded. “If you’re not up for it tonight.” He dropped his eyes before she responded.
Slater gave her a pointed look, then shifted his gaze to Lincoln and back as if urging her to change her mind. Of all people, Slater knew exactly why she was wrong for Lincoln.
“Do you still need me?” Lincoln asked, looking anywhere but at Victoria.
Her heart sank and she almost changed her mind. She needed time to think. Besides, there was always the chance he would come to his senses and run the other direction. Part of her hoped he would, even though it might kill her.
“Nope.” Preston frowned. “I think Slater, Hayden, and I will do some searching.”
Dacia smiled at Lincoln. “If you want some company, I can hang with you.”
He nodded. “Sounds good. Come on.”
Preston caught Dacia and gave her a brief kiss. “See you later, Minx.”
“You better, Ember.” With a wave, she followed Lincoln into his house.
Victoria closed her eyes, already regretting her decision.
“What is going on with you?” Slater asked gruffly.
“Yeah,” Jess added. “Why agree to come over if you’re going to shut him down and treat him like a kid, who has no business dealing with adult
shit, when he saved your life.”
“He’s not a kid and it’s not like that,” Victoria started. She looked at Jess and shook her head. “You don’t know my past. You haven’t experienced the darkness in my soul. Lincoln’s so fucking perfect, I don’t want to be his downfall. Can you blame me for wanting to protect him?”
Jess stepped closer, her eyes narrowed. “He’s growing up right before our damned eyes. He wants to break out of the cocoon his mother built around him. Lincoln doesn’t want to be treated like a child. He’s twenty-seven years old. He wants people—he wants you—to see him for the man he’s becoming. Can’t you understand that? Don’t you want to break out of the mold people put you in? The scary vamp, the rich bitch, the outsider? Can’t you see that he’s trying to find himself, and shutting him down is more likely to drive him away?”
Victoria pressed her hands to her face. “I’m not shutting him out. He needed some time—I thought.” She sighed and looked at Slater. “He freaked out when his wings appeared. Someone shot at one of us, probably me. I don’t want him hurt because I’ve gotten myself into shit he has no part of.”
Jess jabbed a finger at Victoria. “Yeah, some bastard shot at you. That’s true, but I’m pretty sure he’s misguided. I got a weird-ass vision after some asswipe came to the bar this evening. He was asking around about you.”
“Who?” Victoria asked.
“Some dude named Byron Knight, according to his debit card. In my vision, he was talking to a guy he called Monty. Looked a lot like him, but was behind bars. Byron was sitting against a wall, holding his bleeding arm, explaining what just happened. He painted you as a monster, and Lincoln as a demon. So I’m pretty sure whatever happens, Lincoln needs to be in the loop.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this sooner?” Slater asked with an arched brow.
She threw her hands in the air. “I didn’t know he was talking about Lincoln and Victoria! Or that it was happening tonight. Hell, he never actually said a name besides Monty. I didn’t figure it out until they explained what happened, and then I wanted to see what Victoria would do.” Jess shot Victoria a glare. “Now I regret that decision.”
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