Bound to Night

by Nina Croft

  He shifted her on his lap, lifting her with ease and turning her so she faced him, her knees spread on either side of his lean hips. In this position, she could stare down into his face—see the fierce hunger in his eyes. His hands went to her hips, lowering her onto him. He leaned in close and she raised her chin, baring the long line of her throat. The sharpness of his fangs grazed her skin and then he was feeding. Her mind floated away, sinking into the sensations. The tugging at her throat caused a deep rhythmic throbbing between her open thighs. She was acutely aware of her bare sex pressed to the rough texture of his pants, of the hardening length of his erection, and a sudden wetness flooded her core. She wriggled, parting the lips of her sex, rubbing her tiny swollen bud over him, whimpering at the delicious friction. Jack went still. His hands tightened on her hips and then he guided her, pressed her down onto the solid length of him, rotating her hips in small teasing circles. As her climax mounted, he pulled her down harder, grinding her to him, so her clit rubbed against his shaft and finally, she exploded.

  When she raised her lashes, he’d stopped feeding.

  He was watching her through heavy-lidded eyes. His cock was still rock hard, and she shifted just to hear him moan. Then his eyes narrowed further. “Why the hell not?” he said more to himself than her.

  His hand slid between their bodies to fondle her bare slippery flesh still sensitive from her orgasm, and a shiver ran through her. With his other hand, he unbuttoned his pants, and pushed the zip down. Tasha stayed motionless. Was he finally going to make love to her fully? Why now, she wondered, when he had refused before?

  His erection had sprung free, and Tasha couldn’t resist a glance down. It was beautiful. Moist heat welled from her as she thought of all that male power, pushing into her, filling her. She swallowed as he raised her up, parting the lips of her sex with skilled fingers, opening her for his penetration.

  A loud banging echoed through the van, and Jack went still. His head fell back, and she could see him fighting for control.

  “Shit,” he muttered.

  The SUV was no longer moving.

  Jack lifted her, placed her on the seat beside him, and adjusted his clothing. She didn’t have much to adjust. A moment later, the door opened.

  “We’re here, boss,” Seth said. “Actually, we’ve been here for five minutes. I thought you’d gone to sleep in there.”

  Jack swore softly. He stepped down, then reached into the van, picked her up and placed her on the ground. She stumbled, her legs weak and shaky.

  They’d parked in the drive of a huge house. It was set in a thick, wooded area with a high, stone wall running around the entire perimeter. In the distance, a wolf howled. Tasha shivered and moved closer to Jack.

  “I wish I had more clothes on.”

  “Sebastian will find you something.”

  “What if he doesn’t want me around?”

  “I told you they look after their own. Besides, you’re beautiful. Believe me, he’ll want you.” He frowned as if he wasn’t entirely happy with the thought then took her arm. “Come on. Let’s get the introductions over. And Tasha…”

  “Yes?”

  “You must promise no mind reading unless you’re asked.”

  She nodded. “Anything else?”

  “Yes. Sebastian may seem very laid-back, but he isn’t. So when we meet him, try to keep that smart mouth shut.”

  She opened her mouth to say something smart, but he’d already moved off. She took a step after him and then winced as the gravel dug into her bare feet. Jack glanced around, came back and picked her up, then carried her toward the enormous front door. It swung open as they approached.

  Jack took her across the wide hallway and through another door before putting her on her feet. She peered around. They were in a large, comfortable sitting room, with dark red walls, huge leather sofas, and a fire crackling in the grate.

  The room was empty, but at that moment the front door slammed shut and a few seconds later a man entered the room bringing with him the fresh scent of the forest. He paused at the sight of Jack, his eyes wary. At least six foot tall, he was dressed in a pair of faded jeans that hung low on his lean hips. And nothing else. Sweat gleamed on the vast expanse of golden skin and rippling muscle. Wicked blue eyes flicked between the two of them and pale blond hair fell over his forehead, framing the face of a dissipated angel. Tasha’s skin prickled as the levels of energy in the room mounted.

  “Sebastian,” Jack said. “Did we get you out of bed?”

  Sebastian snorted. “Funny. Do you know what night this is, vampire? You call me in from the full moon. I thought you weren’t supposed to break out until next week. What happened?”

  “We had to move the plan ahead.”

  There was a plan? Tasha glanced at him as she realized he had truly saved her tonight. He’d heard her cry for help, and he’d done what he could.

  “So how did it go?” Sebastian asked. “Did you get the information we needed?”

  “Not entirely, but we have the hard drives. I’ll get my people on it. The names we need are in there somewhere.”

  “Good.”

  Sebastian turned toward Tasha, and she found she couldn’t look away. A slow smile curved his lips as he strode toward them, moving with the grace of a jungle cat. He halted less than a foot away. Tasha stood slightly behind Jack. Now he tugged her forward so she hovered in front of the werewolf. This close she could smell him clearly; forest and a faint musky odor of wild animal. The same scent that haunted her nightmares.

  His eyes ran over her, lingering over the length of leg shown beneath the hem of the black silk shirt. He whistled under his breath. Tasha was suddenly aware of her bare legs and feet. She was standing in a room with two of the most gorgeous men imaginable and she was very nearly naked. Not that they were wearing much more, a fact that did nothing to cool the heat flushing her skin. Curling her toes into the soft carpet, she forced herself to stand her ground and just hoped she didn’t look as hot as she felt.

  “So,” Sebastian said. “You’ve brought me a present. Nice, very nice.”

  “I’ve brought you one of your own,” Jack replied. “This is Natasha. Natasha, this is Sebastian, the head of the Lykae.”

  “Hmm, a little red wolf. Where did you find her?”

  “Tasha has been an unwilling guest of The Facility for the past eight years.”

  Sebastian stepped closer. She could see him breathe in, scenting the air. “She smells of sex.” He raised one hand. Tasha flinched but forced herself to stand still as he ran a finger down the line of her throat, over the slight scar left from Jack’s feeding. A frown twisted his lips. “And you fed the vampire.”

  She glanced uneasily at Jack. Was that a problem?

  Jack shrugged. “I was a little hungry at the time.”

  They were silent for a moment. Would the wolf refuse to keep her? She almost hoped so. Jack would have to take her with him then. Even vampires must have rules about abandoning their best friends.

  “Tasha was attacked by a werewolf eight years ago,” Jack said. “When she woke, she was in The Facility. She’s been there ever since.”

  “She must have been a child,” Sebastian said.

  “Thirteen.”

  “She was uninitiated?”

  “She still is.”

  “Really?” Sebastian smiled, his eyes gleaming down at her.

  “I brought her here for her protection,” Jack said.

  Tasha glanced at him; she was missing something here.

  Sebastian turned his attention from her to Jack. “I do what I will with my own pack.”

  “You won’t force her.”

  “Do you really think I’ll need to use force?” Sebastian held out a hand to her. “Come, sweetheart.”

  Tasha peered over her shoulder at Jack. He caught her gaze and shrugged so she stayed where she was and ignored the outstretched hand. Sebastian pursed his lips, but the hand dropped to his side.

  “There’
s something else you need to know,” Jack said

  “What?”

  “You need to find the wolf who attacked her and find out why. I’m sure Tasha can help.”

  Sebastian frowned. “She can?” He definitely sounded skeptical. Obviously, she hadn’t made much of an impression. She hated being little.

  “Didn’t I mention? Tasha is also a telepath.”

  Sebastian looked at her, his eyes sharp, his lips drawn back in a snarl. “Are you reading me now?”

  “No,” Tasha stammered.

  “Probably just as well,” Jack said from beside her.

  Sebastian was still frowning.

  “I don’t normally,” she said. “At The Facility, they taught me how to control it, focus it, only use it when I need to.” She paused, then bit her lip. “I don’t like to know what people are thinking. Most of the time it’s not particularly nice.”

  Sebastian nodded, but he didn’t appear happy. It was like The Facility all over again. She was a freak; she would never escape that stigma.

  Jack shifted beside her. “I have to go. It will soon be dawn.”

  She started to stretch her hand out toward him, but let it to fall to her side. “Will I see you again?”

  “Of course. I told you, I’ll look into your family, find out what’s happening.” He turned to Sebastian. “I’ll be in touch when we’ve analyzed those hard drives. Keep her safe. And Sebastian, they weren’t particularly kind to her at The Facility. Give her time.”

  Then he was gone, and Tasha stood alone with the werewolf. Jack had been the only person kind to her in over eight years, and he’d left her, just like that. She blinked away the tears before turning back to Sebastian.

  He’d taken a seat by the fire and was watching her, a thoughtful expression on his face. “It isn’t done, you know.”

  “What isn’t?” she asked.

  “Feeding vampires. It’s frowned upon in our society.”

  “Even if it’s a matter of life and death?”

  “If Jack told you that, then he was taking you for a ride.”

  Tasha frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Jack’s old, very old, which means he’s strong. He can go a long time between feeding. It’s the reason he volunteered to go into The Facility. No, if he fed from you, it’s because he wanted to.” His eyes slid over her. “Not that I blame him.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “Besides,” Sebastian continued. “Vampires are morose bastards, temperamental as hell. You’d be much better off with a wolf.”

  “I don’t want anyone. I just want to go home.”

  “We’ll see.” He patted the seat next to him. “Come and sit by the fire while we decide what’s to be done with you. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m always hungry.”

  “Hmm, you look half-starved. So, you’ll need food and clothes. But maybe first a drink?”

  He rose and crossed the room to a small cabinet. He poured her a drink and brought it over. She glanced into his face as she took a sip and saw his almost rueful smile. Then her mind blurred and she fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Five

  The bastard had drugged her.

  Her head throbbed, or was it someone banging on the door? A bit of both, she decided. Tasha forced her lids open. The room was in half-light, sunshine filtering through the heavy curtains.

  A bedroom. A nice one, with high ceilings and pale yellow walls, but then her standards weren’t very high. Most places seemed nice when you’d spent the last eight years in a ten foot by ten foot cell.

  At least whoever it was had stopped banging. Instead, the handle turned and the door opened.

  A man stood in the doorway.

  Tall, dark and angry. She didn’t need to read his mind to know the anger bit. Rage poured off him in waves, though his handsome face was expressionless. He was examining her, his eyes blank and she had no clue what he was thinking—except they obviously weren’t happy thoughts. Was it her? She was used to meeting with distrust, but she’d hoped here would be different, that at least they’d give her the benefit of the doubt. Or maybe he was angry with everyone, not just her.

  “You’re awake,” he said.

  As he stepped into the room, Tasha peered under the sheet. She was still dressed in the black shirt—not much, but better than nothing.

  “How are you feeling?” His voice was as blank as his expression. He could at least have said hello, introduced himself and made the effort to sound as if he cared.

  “That bastard drugged me.”

  Her teeth ground together at the memory. She’d thought she was escaping from all that, but perhaps she’d just exchanged one prison for another. And how dare Jack leave her with the sort of person who would pretend to be nice, offer a drink, and then drug her.

  “I know. He told me. So how do you feel?” He lifted the bag he carried and waved it in her direction. “I’m a doctor.”

  She studied him. He didn’t look like any doctor she had ever met. And his bedside manner sucked big time. Which was a pity, because the rest of him was stunning. Was it some sort of werewolf thing? You had to be gorgeous or it didn’t take. Maybe that’s why she didn’t change—she wasn’t good-looking enough. Or maybe your appearance changed once you shifted and you became stunning. She liked that idea much better. Perhaps she might even grow a little.

  The doctor’s black hair was overlong, as though he hadn’t bothered to cut it in a while, his skin olive as though he came from somewhere warmer than here, and his eyes the color of bitter chocolate. He wore black jeans and a grey T-shirt stretched taut over wide shoulders. Breathing in she caught that same forest scent tinged with the musk she now recognized as wolf.

  “You’re a werewolf?” she asked.

  He shrugged as if it didn’t matter, but she could feel the tension radiating off him. “I’m a werewolf doctor. Now, how do you feel?”

  She ignored the question, and pulled herself up and leaned back against the headboard. “So where’s the slimy scumbag who drugged me?”

  A smile flickered at his mouth. “Not here. He came in earlier, but you were still out cold. He asked me to check you over, see if there’s anything wrong with you that we can treat.”

  “You mean apart from being a werewolf and a freak. Any cure for those?”

  “Nope. The werewolf part at least. Not sure about the freak.” He placed the bag on the bottom of the bed and sank down beside her.

  “Did he tell you about me?”

  “That you’re supposed to be telepathic? Yes, he told me.” He shrugged again. “Nothing secret on my head—go ahead and try.”

  A glimmer of curiosity showed in his face—yeah she was a medical phenomenon. She reached out, touched his mind, sensed the rage, the hatred of what he was, and then backed off quickly. “Ugh! No, thank you.” She peered at him “Are you always this angry?”

  Surprise flashed in his eyes. “Yes. Now let’s examine you.”

  Tasha hated being examined. All the time at The Facility, she’d been prodded and poked like so much meat. Everything measured and recorded. But at least she was used to it, and she held herself still while he checked her heart beat, took her blood pressure, drew blood samples.

  Finally, he packed everything away and rose to his feet.

  “So will I live?” she asked.

  “You’ll live. A little underweight from the looks of you, but otherwise you’re fine. I’ll get someone to bring you food.”

  “Can’t I come and get some myself?”

  “No.”

  He turned and left the room and the lock clicked into place behind him.

  Yeah, she was still a prisoner, just a different prison.

  ***

  “How’s Tasha?” Jack glanced up as Sebastian came into his office.

  It was three days since he’d left her with Sebastian. He wanted to give her time to settle in before he went back there, but already he felt the pull of her sweet blood and his fangs ached to feed
.

  He’d kept busy trying to extract the information from the hard drives they’d taken. He was finally getting somewhere. He’d managed to isolate the financial transactions; soon he reckoned he’d be able to tell her something about how she came to be an unwilling guest of The Facility. Though so far, he’d run into a wall on the thing they really wanted to know—who ran The Agency.

  A few decades back, Jack had come to the reluctant conclusion that the secrecy of his kind could not last forever. With the advances in technology, he believed it inevitable that man would stumble across them at some point in the not too distant future. Also, he’d lived long enough to know that if you didn’t adapt—you died. So he’d formed a group, aimed at preparing for that day. Since then, they’d made contacts with government organizations, and they were often called in to help when something happened that might have a paranormal connection.

  It was during one of these jobs, a few years back, that they’d first come across The Agency. And they’d been researching them ever since.

  The organization was far larger than they’d first suspected. Huge, it spanned the whole globe, infiltrating governments and multinational companies. The Facility, where Tasha had been a prisoner, was only one tiny part of the whole. But they were secretive; Jack would find a lead only to have it come to a dead end. And The Agency was ruthless, quickly eliminating any part that was exposed.

  Jack had also been investigating Tasha’s family. Her mother had died as they’d told her. She’d been killed outright in a car crash five years ago, but something felt wrong about the whole thing. Could her mother have been looking into Tasha’s disappearance and maybe actually found something? Had The Agency had her killed to keep her quiet? And what about her father? He was still alive and well. Had he accepted Tasha’s disappearance?

  And how did Tasha’s telepathy fit into all this?

  Was it pure coincidence? Jack didn’t believe in coincidences. Did that mean Tasha had been targeted by The Agency because she was telepathic?