Provoked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  “No. She was, er, dating a vampire, and apparently he was also involved with a demon, and things got nasty.” Hilde’s eyes filled with tears. “Your mama and the demoness fought, and my baby’s brain was destroyed, and she died. So easily.” Hilde plucked a string from a pretty quilt. “I took you and ran, using the chants handed down from my great-grandmother’s grandmother to keep us safe. The demons knew we existed at that point. I promised myself someday I’d tell you everything, but our lives have been so full, I didn’t want to lose that. After losing your mama, I couldn’t lose you, too.”

  Amber blinked twice. “Was my father a vampire?”

  “God, no. Vampires only make male babies. Your mama, well, she had lots of boyfriends. Well, until she met the vampire. But she was already pregnant with you at that time.”

  Great. Her mama got around. “So I’m all human.”

  “Of course.” Hilde squinted her tiny nose. “Your gifts are passed down on your maternal side. I’m not sure if everyone knows this, but demon destroyers are enhanced human females only.” Pride lifted her chin.

  “If I mated a vampire, he’d inherit my gifts, right?”

  Horror widened Hilde’s eyes. “You are not mating a vampire, Amber. For goodness’ sake. Vampires are . . . well . . . the soldiers of the immortal world. You are not mating someone who’ll leave you and head off to war every other century or so.”

  Kane might be a soldier, but he was also an intellectual. Though she was not mating a guy who didn’t believe in love. Why did Kane pop into her head, anyway? Amber gave Hilde her strongest glare. “I’ll mate who I want. Or marry. I’ll marry and mate whoever I want.”

  Hilde rolled her eyes. “You always have been headstrong. Mate who you want. Make the same mistakes I did—” She gasped. “I mean, make new ones.”

  Amber sat up. “What did you just say?”

  “Nothing.” Hilde’s beautiful skin flushed a bright red. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Good God. You mated a vampire.” The room started spinning. Reality had just been shot to hell.

  “Did not.”

  “Did, too.” Amber shot to her feet. “Of course. This is why you never age. You still look freakin’ fifty.”

  “Forty-five,” Hilde countered, throwing off the quilt. “Fine. Your mama’s daddy died in Afghanistan, and I was alone for so long. I shielded us well, but one night I was out, and I met, well, someone.”

  “A vampire.” How in the world could this have happened?

  Hilde rolled her eyes and blew out a strong breath. “Okay, yes. The women in our family have always been suckers for a handsome man—even worse, for handsome soldiers. We started dating, one thing led to another, and we mated.”

  “Where’s your brand?” There was no marking on her grandmother.

  Hilde tugged down her shirt to show twin puncture marks above her heart.

  Heat filled Amber’s head. “You said that was from a car accident.”

  “I lied.” Hilde smoothed her shirt back into place. “Most vampires mate with a good bite during sex. Only the Kayrs ruling family gets that funky mark that brands their women.”

  “The marking isn’t funky.” Frankly, the mark was an intricate, beautiful design.

  Hilde’s eyes widened until the pupils were nonexistent. “Oh God. You slept with a vampire—with a Kayrs brother.” Hilde shook her head. “End it, now. Trust me. End that affair now.”

  Amber slammed her hands on her hips, embarrassment and anger flushing through her. While her grandmother had always been open and rather liberal when it came to sex, they still didn’t need to have this discussion. “I am not taking dating advice from a woman who has lied to me for twenty-five years.”

  Hilde’s bottom lip trembled, and she pressed a hand to her chest. “That hurts. Oh, my heart.”

  Fire almost exploded from Amber’s head. “Stop that. You’re immortal. You can’t have a heart attack.”

  Hilde frowned. “Well, damn it. I guess that’s true.” She chortled, her eyes lighting and her mouth curving in a familiar smile. “I’m not sorry I gave you a secure childhood, sweetie. I’d do the same thing in a heartbeat.”

  “Who did you mate, Grandma?”

  Hilde sighed. “His name was Elliot Metrov, and he was a soldier. Not for the Realm, but his people aligned with the Realm.”

  “Was?” Amber asked softly.

  Hilde exhaled, sadness twisting her smile. “Yes. When your mama was killed, Elliot went after the demons by himself... he wasn’t thinking. He didn’t make it.”

  Anger and hurt roared through Amber. “So the demons killed both my mother and your mate?”

  “Yes.”

  Amber shook her head. She needed to learn to fight, and now. “What about my gifts? What about yours?”

  Hilde glanced down. “Well, now, that’s, ah, the other thing.”

  Dread had Amber dropping back to the sofa. “What other thing?”

  Twisting her lip and obviously biting her cheek, Hilde hunched her shoulders. “We’re not all that powerful. I mean, my older sister had the gift, not me. And she died years ago . . . long before your mama was born. I just have a little of the power.” She sighed, suddenly looking almost her age.

  “Maybe I have more.”

  “You do.” Hilde smiled, pride in her eyes. “You’re like a beacon, Amber. I have no doubt your power is exceptional, much more so than mine or your mother’s. But I’d always hoped you wouldn’t have to use the gift.”

  “I promised,” Amber whispered. “I gave my word if they saved you, I’d help them.” Even if she hadn’t promised Kane, she’d want to help get his brother back safely. And now, after knowing how much the demons had taken from her, she wanted to be able to defend anybody she loved.

  Hilde nodded. “I understand. But keep in mind, I don’t really know how to use the gift. My mother worked with my sister only, and I went on my own way. In fact, at that time, I never thought I’d pass on the gift, to be honest. My sister didn’t pass it on, either.”

  “So I may be the only one left besides you.” The world suddenly became much heavier.

  “Who knows?” Hilde shrugged. “But you have to understand, the demons are born to mess with minds, and learn to do so from birth. You aren’t trained, and even with your power, you’re in over your head.” She pursed her lips. “The whole mating a vampire and giving him your gifts is actually starting to make sense. I can’t lose you, pumpkin.”

  “You won’t, I promise.”

  Hilde’s gaze narrowed. “Which Kayrs did you sleep with? The king?”

  Amber’s head jerked back. “Of course not. He has a mate.”

  “Oh?” Hilde pursed her lips. “I’ve been out of the loop for a long time and hadn’t heard. So which brother?”

  “Kane.”

  “The smart one.”

  “Yes.”

  Hilde frowned. “Well, he’s a handsome vampire, but never forget, even if he is the smart one, he’s every bit the soldier as the rest of them. The Kayrs brothers were taught to fight first and rule second—as well as to sacrifice everything for the Realm. They will and they have.”

  The words sent chills down Amber’s back. Kane did seem focused and absolutely determined. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Good.” Hilde sat back down on the bed. “So, er, about your night together. Vampires are amazing in bed, now, aren’t they?”

  CHAPTER 15

  Away from the Kurjan encampment, Kalin stood in the rain, feet braced, water splashing his pale skin. The cloud-cover in Utah offered him a very rare moment of standing outside during the day, and enjoyment relaxed his muscles. As the leader of the Kurjan military, he never smiled in front of his troops unless the moment involved death. For now, at an odd moment, he stood alone and smiled into the storm.

  He had complete faith that his researchers would create a cure for daylight. One day, he’d chase bikini-clad women by the ocean under the full rays of the sun. But for now, his people w
ere cursed with parchment-white skin, blood-red hair, and purple eyes. They lived for the night. Well, most of his people. He had black hair tipped with red and odd green eyes like a human. Once in a while he wore makeup and actually walked among his prey.

  And prey they were.

  A signal beeped on his watch. So much for peace. He jerked around and stalked back to the rough cabin he’d taken as a temporary headquarters.

  His smile disappeared.

  Shoving open the door and clomping inside, he stood before a small computer. “Where is he?”

  “Coming up,” said a computer tech who probably had a name.

  Kalin forced down a growl and enjoyed as the man cringed away. The guy was what? Only six and a half feet tall? Very short for a Kurjan. “I told you not to bother me until the call went through.”

  The screen wavered and a strong face filled the screen. “What the hell do you want, Kurjan?”

  Kalin stepped forward, gaze on the man he hadn’t seen in years. “It’s good to see you, too, Suri.”

  The demon leader stood straighter. “I asked you a question.”

  What an asshole. The demon ruler had shockingly white hair, fathomless black eyes, and the mangled vocal cords of a purebred. Dressed in all black, a silver insignia above his left breast designated him as the leader.

  Odd, but Kalin had never thought about the similarities in their soldier uniforms. Sure, the demons used silver for metals, and the Kurjans used red, but still, black uniforms were black uniforms.

  Vampires didn’t have uniforms. Arrogant bastards didn’t think they needed them, probably.

  Kalin forced a bored look on his face. “I have an offer. A demon destroyer for the youngest Kayrs brother.” The offer was too good for the demons to refuse.

  Suri raised both white eyebrows. “You have the destroyer?”

  “I will in about an hour.” Sure, he was going after the older one, but a demon destroyer she was. “You interested or not?”

  “I am.” Suri nodded to someone off camera. “Call me back when you have her.” The screen fizzled to black.

  “What a prick.” Kalin headed for the stairs. “Keep monitoring the situation, and we’ll head out when darkness falls.” Without waiting for acknowledgment of his orders, he jogged down the stairs to what had been a fruit cellar. Shoving open the door, he headed for the one cot in the small room. Lying on his back, he counted the divots in the ceiling. For the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to drop into sleep without shielding his mind.

  The dream came easily, and he found himself walking in the sun, fighting true joy at the warmth. He wandered along a rough path by a raging river. Finally, he allowed a smile to cross his face.

  “You look nicer when you smile.”

  The feminine voice came from his left, and he turned to see a young woman sitting on a large rock. He paused. “Janie Kayrs. You’re even prettier than you were two years ago.”

  She arched a delicate eyebrow. “I’ve been having some fairly strong visions concerning you, Kalin.”

  He clasped his hands behind his back, settling his stance. She truly was beautiful. Long hair the color of burnished teak, deep blue eyes, and very delicate bone structure. “Have you, now? I’m assuming this is why you’ve met me in yet another dream world?”

  “Yes.” She took him in, no expression on her flawless face.

  “Does your father know we’re meeting?” No way in hell did either Talen or Dage know the Kayrs princess was meeting the Kurjan butcher in a dream world nobody controlled.

  “Don’t be silly.” She swung a foot back and forth.

  For some reason, the small tennis shoe she wore reminded him of their childhood meetings . . . when they were both young and innocent. He’d left innocent behind years ago. “Nobody has ever called me silly.”

  Her eyes darkened. “Now that’s just sad.”

  He frowned. “Why are you asleep in the middle of the day?”

  “I’m getting a cold and needed rest. Plus, I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks.”

  That thought should not send warmth through his chest. He didn’t care if she wanted to see him or not. Janie Kayrs was an end to a means, and someday he’d use everything she was to get what he wanted. But today he could allow himself some curiosity. “What do you want?”

  She took a deep breath that emphasized pert breasts under a white T-shirt. For the first time since meeting her, he realized she was an adult. He flashed his fangs. “What are you now—about twenty?” More than old enough to take.

  “Yes—I’m all grown up, Kalin.” Her small chin lowered. “And I have a grown-up offer to make you.”

  Now this was getting interesting. “Is that a fact?” His gaze raked her from head to toe, lingering at the good parts. It was truly a nice surprise that there were so many good parts. “What kind of an offer?”

  She waited until his gaze returned to her eyes, pure boredom on her face. “I know you’re in league with the demons, if not yet, then you will be.”

  He kept his expression neutral. The oracles had been correct in that her psychic powers were impressive, far more impressive than anyone realized. To be able to take that gift and use it as the Kurjan leader would be worth all the time he’d waited to make his move. “And?”

  “You get Jase home, and I’ll trade myself for him.”

  Kalin’s upper lip twitched with the need to smile. He’d already set that plan in motion. Odd that they were on the same wavelength. “What makes you think I want you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

  The tiny, defenseless human actually rolled her eyes at him. An unwilling laugh barked from his chest. “I’d kill anybody else who dared to make such a face at me.”

  She leaned forward, her eyes intense, her voice soft. Her feminine gaze raked him from head to toe, pausing at the medals adorning his chest before heading up toward his eyes. “You don’t scare me—you never have.”

  Odd, but that gave him feelings of both gratitude and irritation. “Then you’re not as smart as everyone predicted you’d be.”

  “Maybe I’m just more powerful than any of you predicted.”

  Perhaps so. A new burning filtered through his body. Oh, he wanted the little human, without question.

  “So, my offer?” she asked.

  Kalin sighed. “You’d willingly walk into the den of the enemy for Jase Kayrs, now, would you?” After all the years of them meeting, the little human still didn’t understand him. Not at all.

  “Yes.”

  “What about Zane?” There was no question the fate of the world would come down to Kalin, Janie, and Zane, a partial-vampire who’d also visited the dream world several times, first as a child and more recently as an adult soldier.

  Janie blinked twice. “What about him?”

  Oh, the girl still had a crush, did she? “I’m fairly certain I need to cut off his head in order for destiny to be fulfilled.”

  Horror filled her eyes that she quickly banked. But not fast enough. She shrugged. “Zane can take care of himself just fine.”

  “Deserted you, did he?”

  She jumped from the rock and landed a foot away. Tilting her head back, she met Kalin’s gaze. “The offer will expire. Think about it.” With a sweep of her hand, the world disappeared.

  Kalin sat up on the cot. Impressive little human. Yet what she didn’t understand was that the last thing he wanted was her cooperation. When he took her, and he would, the little female had better fight. Otherwise, what the hell was the point?

  CHAPTER 16

  Realm headquarters was beginning to smother him. Maybe it was time to go hunt a werewolf or two. Kane stifled a sigh as he slid open his door and stalked into his underground quarters.

  Her smell hit him immediately. Wild heather, just blooming.

  The tinkling sound of a waterfall echoed from his wall fountain, and the lights had been turned down low. He focused on the woman sitting so quietly on his wide sofa. “Wha
t are you doing here?”

  Amber shrugged, her gaze going to the two moonlight scenes decorating his walls. “This place is all zen—much different from what I would’ve expected.”

  The dark furniture and thick rug blended with the rock surrounding them and gave him a sense of peace when he needed space to breathe. “I work in labs surrounded by chrome, steel, and glass. Sometimes I want something soothing for a little while.” He dropped to the couch next to her. “Do you like my place?”

  “Very much,” she said softly.

  He rested his head back and shut his aching eyes. “Why are you here, Amber?”

  “I want to train some more.”

  Just like that, his entire body tensed. “Why?”

  She exhaled loudly. “The demons know about me, and they know about my grandmother. She’s not strong enough to stop them, and I need to be. So it’s time to train again.”

  His head hurt and the damn marking on his palm had started to pound the second he realized its existence. Of course, the brand had appeared because he was logically thinking of mating someone and for no other reason. Fate didn’t exist. He was in control of his body and the marking. “Let’s take the night off.”

  “I can find somebody else to train me.”

  The pounding in his hand rippled up his arm and down his spine with claws of irritation. “No, you can’t. I’m the only genius empath in town, sweetheart. Deal with it.” None of his other people could possibly mimic the effects of a demon attack. Thank God.

  “I bet the king can attack brains.” Her voice rose in challenge.

  Kane’s eyes flashed open. The idea of Dage invading Amber’s mind pierced heat through him until he growled low. “Dage is psychic and can read minds, but he can’t attack them. Period.”

  “Then get to work.” She shifted on the couch, sending her scent to tempt him. Female. His.

  Forcing all emotion into the universe, he sighed. “No. We’ll start again tomorrow.”

  The slow glide of heat through his head calmed him instantly. The warmth pulsed, destroying his headache before sliding through the tense muscles in his neck and shoulders. His body relaxed into the couch. The warmth continued, through muscles and tissue, warming him from within.