They made love twice, then once again. When her mind had cleared and her body no longer thrummed with need, she tried to figure out what the hell had happened. She felt too sated to move. She breathed deeply of his scent and listened to his heart beat from her position sprawled atop him. She’d never felt such a connection to anyone. It was so much more than their physical joining; she’d felt him from the inside. For the first time since she could remember, she felt at peace, whole.
She didn’t exactly understand the sensation except that she didn’t ever want that feeling to end. She felt alone when he was gone, and while he frustrated the hell out of her, she still felt better when he was near.
"Rhyn…" she whispered. "Was this supposed to happen?"
"Don’t start."
"Don’t start what?" She lifted her head to look at him. He propped his head with one folded arm, silver eyes glowing at her.
"You’re my mate."
"So…that’s permanent."
"Yep."
"Guess that means I’ll have to stop sleeping around," she retorted.
"Go ahead. Don’t ask where I hide the bodies."
She chuckled. His confidence was too strong to shake, and she suspected he knew just how damned good in bed he was and how unlikely any woman who’d had him would choose another man over him.
"Don’t expect me to sleep with you at your bidding," she warned. "You’re still a jerk."
"Only have to say yes once."
She sighed, content to rest atop him. His confidence was the only rock to stand on in this forsaken world of immortals. She didn’t know if she could trust him, or Kris, or anyone yet, but she could at least know the man beneath her was probably the only man she was safe from. It wasn’t much, but it was more than she’d had in what felt like a lifetime. He’d protected her and made it clear anything that got near her would die a nasty death.
Albeit everything he did was on his terms. Always on his terms. She couldn’t swallow his ability to be a fierce beast shredding human-like creatures with no regard or morals. She didn’t understand why he’d chosen her of all people. She feared knowing what he truly was, that she’d married a demon. There really couldn’t be any kind of good demon, could there?
Troubled, she dozed, waking when she heard the knock at her door. Her demon lover was gone and her body covered with a sheet. She and her bed still smelled of him, and she breathed deeply.
"Hey, Ully wants to see you. Something about science experiments," Megan said, poking her head in.
"I’m coming," Katie replied, stifling a groan as she shrugged out of the sheet to stand. Her legs were wobbly, the muscles of her inner thighs stiff.
Megan disappeared, and Katie changed into one of the outfits she’d chosen. She almost felt normal in the jeans and light sweater. She slid her feet into clogs and left the room, meeting Ully just outside the girls’ locker room. He beamed a smile and offered his arm, which she accepted.
"All hell’s broken loose," he said cheerfully.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Sasha's created some sort of funky monster that even an immortal can't kill."
Her thoughts went to Jade, and she frowned, troubled.
"Awful."
"Yeah," he agreed. "The tests I did with your blood came back promising, but I can’t nail down the right genetic code."
He led her down a floor to a large gym where a group of men stood in a loose cluster on a mat. Her eyes found Rhyn first, then Kris. Jade was there, another man with Kris’s eyes but whom she didn’t recognize, and a fifth man. All but the man with Kris’s eyes and oriental beauty were sweating and bloodied in at least one spot.
Ully stopped a short distance from them, as if expecting them to launch into a battle despite their relaxed poses. The oriental man held a PDA and was frowning as he read through notes while the others waited for him to speak. Ully cleared his throat. The five turned, and Rhyn winked at her. She crossed her arms, forcing herself not to cover her neck as four sets of eyes landed there. Her gaze settled on Jade, whose dark eyes still held the fire of danger.
"Kiki, this is Katie, Rhyn’s mate," Kris said coolly. "Katie, Kiki, one of our brothers."
The oriental man looked her over, almond-shaped turquoise eyes assessing.
"Pleasure, Katie," Kiki managed before returning his gaze to his PDA. "That’s five, brother." His voice held an accusatory note that Kris ignored.
"Your theory looks legit, Ully," Jade voiced at the tense silence. "Rhyn is immune to everything. Kris was for all of five minutes."
"Five minutes?" Ully repeated with a frown. "That would mean…"
"Either we get an emergency five minutes or you figure out how to make it work longer," Kris said.
"It’d take all her blood at this point," Ully said absently.
Five sets of predatory eyes fell to her, as if realizing there was a lame lamb in their midst. She moved closer to Ully, even while knowing the skinny nerd was the least likely to defend her.
"Is it because she’s his mate or because her blood sustains him?" Kiki asked, agitation on his face.
"Both, I’d say," Ully said. "If my serum worked, then we know her blood will give immunity. Rhyn’s bond as her mate amplifies her natural ability. He needs less to do more."
"Sasha’s figured it out," Kris said. "His monsters are tearing through our warriors like they're made of cotton candy."
"I know, I know."
"He drank her blood," Rhyn said.
"Sasha?"
"Yeah."
Once again, the predatory look from all. She wanted to shrink away and hide. Instead, she drew herself up to her just above average height, and confirmed, "He nearly killed me. He brought in a healer who pieced me back together when he was done."
"Before or after your mating to Rhyn?" Kris asked.
"Before," Rhyn volunteered.
"Would have to knock you off for that to work now," Kris said with thinly veiled hostility.
Kiki rolled his eyes, and Jade inched away from Rhyn, who bared his teeth in a humorless grin.
"Like children on a playground," Katie murmured.
"Worse," Kiki agreed. "In any case, it looks like Ully needs to go back to the drawing board, and we use Rhyn for now to take out Sasha’s henchmen."
"Have you learned some control of that demon power, little brother?" Kris asked.
"Didn’t have to," Rhyn said.
"Katie stabilizes him," Ully offered. "I did some tests and then asked Ginny for some research help. The mates of old balanced out the powers of your badass predecessors."
"Let me rephrase. Have you learned any sort of discipline?" Kris asked.
"It doesn’t matter, Kris. We don’t have much of a choice," Kiki said pragmatically. "I’ll go with him."
"I don’t need a babysitter," Rhyn snapped.
"Yes, you do," Kiki said firmly.
Both Rhyn and Kris sulked. Katie smiled, deciding she liked Kiki’s no-nonsense attitude.
"We’ll report back nightly," Kiki added. "In person. Jade's coming with us."
"Very well," Kris relented.
Katie frowned at the thought of Rhyn being gone all the time but was glad Jade would be with them and not around to try to drag her back to Sasha.
"I’ll introduce you to the mates of the immortals in residence later. Your place is there," Kris said to her. "Ully, take her to the royal wing."
She bristled, feeling as if she’d been sentenced to nothing more than a sewing circle for good little wives. Before she could object, Kiki took charge again.
"Rhyn, go get ready. Kris, can you spare a few warriors?" he said.
"Yeah," Kris replied.
"We’ll test this out and see how it goes."
Ully stepped aside as the massive men passed. She scowled. Rhyn slapped her on the butt as he passed. She cursed him quietly. When they’d gone, she turned to Ully and demanded, "What do the mates of immortals do?"
"A lot of things," he said. "They take on the roles the Ancients and immortals can’t, like working with human counterparts, touring the Council's facilities all over the world. They’re into the arts, and charities to raise money for our war. Most…well, all but you come from the elitist circles of their times. The Ancients and immortals could choose anyone they wanted as mates, and they chose from among the royalty, the wealthiest, and most influential."
"I really won’t fit in," she muttered.
"It really doesn’t matter what they were when they were mortal," he assured her with an uncomfortable chuckle. "The rank structure in the immortal world is based on your mate."
She’d never in her life wanted to be a princess. She’d always wanted to be in marketing, and the thought of becoming a socialite with no real responsibilities made her gut sink. Eternity?
"Sounds awful," she said.
"You’ll be the envy of us lesser immortals," he assured her.
She wanted to go home. In the face of a fate she doubted she wanted any part of, she felt homesick again.
You. Are. Mine.
There really was no chance of it. She felt she’d been a good sport since entering the immortal world, but she knew she’d never fit into a world where her sister surely would.
"When you see your room, you’ll totally feel better," Ully said, and held out his arm.
She went grudgingly. He led her to the uppermost floor of the castle, to a hallway with magnificent views of a green valley with towering trees. She felt immediately out of place, even in the hall. The ceilings were gilded, the chandeliers dripping with crystals. Ensconced lights glowed in the midday, and antique furniture, rare paintings, elegant marble sculptures befitting a museum, silk Persian rugs underfoot, and many other priceless displays of prestige lined the wide hall.
He pointed as he walked, indicating the dining room, the library, the reception room, and others, each sounding stuffier than the last and all marked by polished oak double doors. They left the common area for the bedchambers wing. His voice grew hushed, as if the all-important guests behind each door might hear him. He paused at one room toward the middle of the hall and pushed it open.
No one in this place believed in locks. She crossed her arms and followed him in. Her bedchamber was half the size of a small house, with a domed ceiling replete with vibrant paintings of the sun progressing across the sky. The bed was the largest she’d ever seen, with a finely spun silk bedspread of pale yellow. The bedchamber was done up in pastels, soft rose drapes, light blue and green rugs, yellow pillows and highlights, which seemed to take the chill out of the stone walls.
She wondered if she’d freak everyone out with a few Hello Kitty posters to take away the severity of the rooms. They strode through the bedchamber to a small living room to the side with a flat-screen TV and comfortable-looking couch. The windows all faced east, over another valley, and a terrace was decorated with dainty iron-scrolled chairs. Off the living room was a private dining area.
Opposite the living room was a massive bathroom with marble floors, a Jacuzzi, small sauna, and a large shower with multiple shower heads.
"Doesn’t this make you feel so much better?" Ully asked, envy in his voice.
"It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen." She saw the glow of his eagerness and tried to be more upbeat than she felt, for his sake.
"I know!"
"And this is mine?"
"Yep! And Rhyn’s, unless he wants to stay with the other Ancients in their hall."
She didn’t think he would but remained silent. At least, she hoped he wouldn’t.
"I’ll leave you here. Make yourself at home."
She didn’t fully register his words until the door closed behind him. The bedchamber was silent. She looked around, feeling very much alone in the cavernous room. She couldn’t help but think the barracks and all their activity and life were far more appealing than the solemn, stately apartment that was hers.
Her sister would be in heaven.
Katie felt like crying again. She roamed the apartment again and opened all the closets and drawers, not surprised to find them filled, as if she’d lived there all her life and hadn’t just arrived.
It was creepy. She left the apartment and walked down the silent halls, turning down the hall with the common areas in time to see the back of a silk ball gown disappear into opened doors. She slowed until she smelled the scents of dinner. Suddenly ravenous, she quickened her step despite her dread of meeting one of the elitist mates.
Her gaze landed on the dining room, which looked much like that of a fancy restaurant. Small tables seating four were well spaced for privacy, with candles lighting each table and an assortment of flatware she’d never seen before. The room was warm and cozy, its walls done up in dark lacquered wood, the warm glow of chandeliers non-imposing. The soft sounds of talk drifted to her, but it was the dress of the women within that drew her eye.
Few women wore similar fashions from similar eras. There were wide eighteenth-century ball gowns, women in little black dresses, one in a fifties poodle skirt, and several in dark dresses with ornate brocade on the bodice, like that of wealthy Middle Age royalty. One woman wore rustic battle wear from an era she couldn’t name, another flowing Grecian robes, yet another robes of a different era. While their dress was different, their faces were similar: stunning beauties from across history.
"Ms. Katie?" The maître d’ asked and looked at her skeptically, as if the woman passing in a revealing Middle Eastern belly dancing costume ahead of her was normal and jeans were not.
"Yes," she replied, her gaze going from him to the grand buffet in the center of the dining room.
"Shall I seat you?"
She nodded, hungry enough to set foot in the room with the most beautiful women in history. He led her to a private table in the corner near the buffet, as if sensing her unease. She had barely sat when a servant bearing a tray of coffee and diet root beer--her favorite--set down the drinks in front of her.
How was it possible they knew everything about her?
Rather than go to the buffet herself, the servant joined several others selecting morsels and food for her to try. He returned and set it before her. She looked at him, then at the silverware, and picked a fork she recognized.
The food was heavenly, the duck crisped to perfection in a light, tangy sauce, the vegetables still fresh. Even the honey butter was a perfect balance between sweet and rich, and the rolls still warm when she bit into them. Dessert was a slice of five different kinds of pies, and she dug into everything, eating fast.
"…only fitting he’d choose a classless barbarian. He’s a demon."
Katie froze at the cultured voice with its rich accent, knowing the woman at the nearest table spoke about her. She shouldn’t care, but part of her did. She was alone in a world she didn’t fit into, and she wanted more than anything to escape.
She glanced around, abruptly aware of the number of looks she received. Some were politely curious, others pitying, still others resembling that of the maître d’. More than one went beyond polite disdain and glared to the point of hostility.
Declining seconds, she finished her meal and rose, suddenly wishing she hadn’t been seated in the far corner. Those at the tables she passed quieted and watched. Ignoring the looks on their faces, she marched to the door. Once she was out of sight, she ran. She didn’t know where exactly she went aside from down from the top floor. She followed what she thought was the path Ully had brought her on and found her way to the women’s barracks.
There was life here, and friendly looks as she passed. She made her way through the common areas to the dorms and cautiously opened the door to the room that had been hers. It was blessedly empty.
She flung herself onto the bed, tears in her eyes. It still smelled of him, and she couldn’t help wishing he was there, even if all he did was piss her off.
"Katie."
She wiped her eyes and twisted, surprised to see Kris in her doorway. He gazed at her for a long moment, an odd gleam in his eye. She sat uneasily. He entered and closed the door.
"What do you want, Kris?" she asked.
"Why aren’t you in your bedchamber?"
"I like it here better."
"Did Rhyn make you cry?" His gaze slid to the floor, and he shook his head ever so slightly, as if trying to shake free an unpleasant thought.
"No," she said, crossing her arms at the odd question. "Rhyn’s been the only man to take care of me in this godforsaken world."
His eyes flared amber. Before she could blink, he snatched her and shoved her against the wall, pinning her to it with his body.
"By all rights, you should’ve been mine!" he snarled in a low growl.
"Kris--"
"Shut up! He stole her from me just like he did you."
She said nothing, afraid to move, afraid to speak. She rested her cheek against the cool stone wall.
"The only human who can help us defeat evil, and you chose him."
"Kris, you’re not yourself," she whispered.
"You think I give a damn about one stupid, feeble, weak human, especially one mated to Rhyn? You think I’d let you stand between me and my fate?" Kris demanded. He wrenched her head back and gripped her neck, nuzzling it.
"Kris, don’t do this," she managed.
"Whatever is in your blood can tame evil."
She tried to pull away, but he pressed her harder against the wall until she could barely breathe. His fangs sank into her neck, and she jerked, feeling her skin and muscle tear. She cried out and arched, blinded by pain as he held her against the wall. He didn’t take blood gently as Rhyn did; no, Kris wanted her to hurt!
He drank deep and long until she began to grow woozy. His erection pressed hard against her backside, and tears slid down her face. She shook from pain and fear of what he’d do next, if he was more like Sasha than Rhyn.
She closed her eyes and wished herself home. The shadow world appeared hazily around her. She willed herself there, concentrating hard to keep from losing the connection.
Kris released her and stepped away. "Oh, god, Katie…" His voice was hoarse, a mix of pleasure and horror.
She sagged against the wall and gripped her bleeding neck. The shadow world swallowed her in its fog. There were several portals, and she hesitated, focusing on the mental image of her apartment. One of the portals grew brighter. She staggered toward it, stumbled, then fell through it and landed flat on her back on a familiar, faded red rug. It was dark, the spinning world lit by the kitchen and hallway light.
"Mama!" Toby cried.
She closed her eyes, terrified of bleeding to death right there in her own home.
"Wait in the kitchen." It was Gabriel’s voice. He was blurry as he knelt beside her. His black gaze was still visible in the dark living room.
She felt him assess her by running his hands lightly over her limbs before he pried her hand free and rested his there, sealing the wound.
"Juice, Toby!" He propped her up, and she sagged against him, unable to keep from crying at the thought of one sworn to protect humanity nearly killing her!
Gabriel lifted her and carried her down the hall. She shied away from her reflection, from the paleness of her skin and the stark red of her blood soaking the cream sweater. The death dealer set her on the bed. Toby clambered up beside her, spilling the juice.
"Rhyn’s mate?" he exclaimed. "Wow, Katie, wow!"
"Go make cocoa," Gabriel said, expertly rescuing the juice before more spilled.
Toby obeyed. Gabriel waited until he was gone before pulling a chair to the side of the bed.
"Rhyn didn’t do this," he observed, handing her the juice.
She wiped her face again and shook her head, pain thrumming through her body. Rhyn could make it leave. She didn’t know how, but she knew he could. Gabriel touched her forehead, and cold lightning buzzed through her, absorbing the pain. She released a tight breath. His hand remained, and she felt the cool lightning in her mind, ruffling through her memories.
"Gabriel," she objected.
"Kris?" he asked, surprised
Katie said nothing.
"Rhyn needs to know."
"It’s the last thing he needs to know!” she replied. “He and Kris are barely working together as it is. I think Kris is right--the fate of humanity is more important than me."
"Doesn’t give him a right to break the Immortal Code. You don’t touch another’s mate."
"The Immortal Code has done me no favors yet, Gabriel," she said, beyond exhausted. "Can we talk about it in the morning? Please?"
Gabriel fell silent, and she closed her eyes, exhausted.
***
"His time is up, my pet," Death said.
Gabriel replaced the hourglass after several unsuccessful attempts to shake it. The sand at the bottom didn't move.
"He's almost there," he replied, facing the bright figure that was Death.
She offered one of her warm smiles and approached him, looking up at him with a mischievous twinkle in her gaze. The heavy Caribbean air rustled the pages of the Oracle's book. A storm brewed on the horizon, visible through the window behind Death.
"What?" Gabriel asked warily. "The last time you looked at me like that, I lost a bet."
"I guess it's cheating when you can see the future," she mused.
"Damn right it's cheating."
"Then you better answer this question right."
He crossed his arms, aware she was the only creature not intimidated by his displays of strength. She whirled away and crossed to the Oracle's book, closing it after his failed attempt to see Rhyn's fate.
He watched her grab the hourglass and toss it in the air. It disappeared before it could hit the ceiling. He felt dread knot in his stomach at the sign she wasn't going to give Rhyn yet another chance.
"Would you do anything for your friend?"
His jaw clenched at the question. She'd been trying for years to have his voluntary service revoked. Long ago, she’d given him the choice to serve her, the only one of her assassins offered a choice.
"I've always done everything you asked," he replied. "I've served you longer than any of the others. You'd put me in the position of choosing my freedom or my friend's life?"
"I sensed a thaw in you. The moment one of my assassins hesitates--or starts to care--I make them dead-dead. I don't own you like I do them, and I like you, Gabriel," she said.
"You're threatening to kill me now?" he asked, bemused.
"We both want something. Just say yes, you'll do anything for your friend, and I'll spare him a little longer."
"How much longer?"
She looked at him knowingly before saying, "You don't trust me?"
"You know I do."
"Then say yes, Gabriel. You've served me long enough to know what I am. Unless you were considering leaving me?"
He said nothing, aware the thought had crossed his mind more than once lately. His gaze went to the incoming storm. His life wouldn't change drastically if he agreed. He just couldn’t walk away.
Ever.
He'd taken the boy he’d watched over his whole life to Hell. He’d betrayed Rhyn. This sacrifice was the least Gabriel could do for his friend.
"Yes. Give him more time," he said softly.
Death smiled slowly, satisfied with the prize she'd won.
***
Katie was thinking of how much whiskey it’d take to dull the edge of her headache when the phone rang. Irritated, she would’ve ignored it if not for Toby, who snatched it in excitement.
"What’re you doing?" Toby yelled into the phone.
She looked at him. In four hundred thousand years, he hadn’t learned to answer a phone right? He carried on a conversation for a few minutes, and she rested her head back, staring at the ceiling.
Though she hated to admit it, she’d hoped Rhyn was calling. Her heart leapt then dropped to her feet when she realized a man like that didn’t call. He’d just appear whenever he felt like it. If he ever felt like it. If he cared AT ALL that his blood monkey and mate had been totally abused. Again.
"It’s for you!" Toby called, holding out the phone. Katie took it. "It’s Auntie Hannah!"
"Heya, Katherine."
The sound of her sister’s voice made Katie’s throat tighten. She’d never been truly happy to talk to her.
"Heya, Hannah."
"Toby said you’ve been under the weather. You’re interested in coming to see me for a few days?"
Katie glared at Toby at the skeptical note in Hannah’s voice.
"Gabriel said--" Toby started in a loud whisper.
"I would," Katie replied. "Been having a rough time on my…medications or whatever."
"Oh, I understand. Will Toby come?"
"No, he’ll be with a friend," Katie replied.
"I’ll send a car to get you!"
"Thanks. You spending the weekend with your…friends?"
"Don’t start, Katherine. I know you don’t like them," Hannah warned.
"Hate them, actually."
"You’ll get used to them. Maybe one day they’ll rub off on you, help you get a decent man."
Katie touched her throat. Decent wasn’t the word she’d ever use for Rhyn. Her sister would have a heart attack once she saw the tattoo and found out she’d basically married the type of man Hannah’d always warned her about.
"Will you be ready in an hour?" Hannah asked.
"Sure."
"See you soon!"
Katie clicked the phone off and looked at the five-year-old doing wind sprints across her apartment. She waited for him to finish before crossing to her room to change. The effort of a shower left her even more exhausted. She dressed comfortably and packed her overnight bag, then searched the room, certain she was forgetting something.
"He’s not in the closet," Toby said, then laughed.
She rolled her eyes at him and snatched her stuff before leaving her apartment for the sidewalk in front of her building. She waited in the cold winter day until the familiar Lincoln Town Car arrived. She dozed in the car during the forty-five-minute drive to coastal Maryland, where her sister’s fiancé owned a mansion secreted behind towering shrubbery and a gate that swung open to welcome her.
Her sister waited in the reception parlor, sipping tea and flipping through a magazine. She looked as healthy as Katie didn’t feel. Hannah looked up as the butler let her in, her smile turning to a frown.
"You look ghastly," she said. "How long have you been…"
Too late, Katie realized she’d not thought to wear a scarf. Hannah’s eyes widened, and she rose, angling her past the butler and a maid dusting a painting to the second floor. She closed the door behind them in the massive bedchamber that was hers and whirled.
"You know how trashy tattoos make women look? Why on earth…Gio will be so angry!"
"I don’t care what your man thinks," Katie replied, agitated already. "I had it done in Ireland. It’s some sort of Celtic…thing."
"What’s a rhyn?"
"I’m not having a good turn, sis. Can we please just…do something?"
"The girls and I are going to brunch."
Katie didn’t bother hiding her grimace. Hannah rolled her eyes and looked her over. Her gaze lingered on Katie’s face, which Katie knew was pale. It was this that saved her from some snide comment about her less-than-fashionable clothes. Hannah gathered her things and led her down to a warm, waiting car. Katie pretended to listen as Hannah discussed the Paris fashion show she’d attended and the month in Monte Carlo she’d spend in January to escape the coldest weather.
Katie watched the world go by as they drove, half-listening to Hannah’s chatter. The grey skies of winter and grey cement of the city depressed her. This place had nothing to the castle in the Alps, though she never wanted to go back.
In fact, the normal world--while comforting--seemed a bit boring after her trauma. She relaxed and sank into the soft leather seats of the Town Car, telling herself she was being granted a chance to be normal. She didn’t doubt that the only creature Rhyn would listen to was Gabriel, and that Gabriel had told him to leave her be. She was grateful.
Sorta. Part of her ached with loneliness even her sister’s presence did nothing to help.
They reached the trendy teahouse in the wealthy section of DC, Hannah still talking about Paris fashions. Katie trailed her into the stately Georgian mansion and glanced down as the polished wood beneath her feet creaked. A butler took her coat. She forced herself not to cover her tattoo with her hands as she followed her sister to the second floor, where the private rooms were.
Hannah warmly greeted her friends, four coiffed women in expensive clothing with diamonds the size of her thumbnail on their ring fingers. Most wore trendy boots and coats, sat in designer jeans and sweaters worth a month of her salary, and wore make-up that coordinated perfectly with their expensive clothing and hair.
Katie felt frumpy the moment she stepped into the room. The women--even if not beautiful--were dressed beautifully.
"I think you all remember my sister, Katherine?" Hannah said, fully knowing they did. "She just returned from a trip to Ireland, where she got her tribal tattoo. She’s a bit jet-lagged though."
Katie bit her tongue. Hannah was apologizing for her pale features and dark-rimmed eyes. The four women looked at her, one gasping as her gaze fell to the tattoo and another paling, while the other two looked down their noses at her.
As usual. She’d shocked them all. Hannah sat and began talking about Paris again to an audience eager to hear her.
Except for the one who’d gasped, Molly, the half-Asian, half-Italian with beautiful coffee eyes and olive skin. She was tall and willowy, a former model that’d made it big. Her gaze stayed on Katie’s neck until one of the others addressed her.
Katie wondered if she’d shocked her that badly or if there was some other reason Molly was so surprised. She knew very little of Hannah’s friends, except they were all richer than sin.
"What took you to Ireland this time of year?" Molly asked.
It took her a moment to realize one of them had addressed her. It wasn’t normal for them to acknowledge her existence, let alone address her.
"Sightseeing," she managed, unable to think of any other excuse.
Molly appeared skeptical while the others exchanged knowing looks with each other. Another wild adventure by the black sheep of a sister that was dear Hannah’s. She’d heard them say it.
"It’s an interesting tattoo," another said with forced interest. "What does Rhyn mean in Gaelic?"
"Nothing, I don’t think," she responded.
"Is it Old French or English?" another asked.
"No," Katie said. She glanced at her sister, who seemed interested as well.
"What is it?" Hannah pushed.
"It’s a name," Molly said.
Katie met her gaze. Amusement was deep in Molly’s gaze, though she made no effort to come to her rescue.
"Oooooh, you had some sort of fling over there, didn’t you?" one asked, interested for the first time.
"Not exactly." Katie sipped her tea, hot from head to toe. Sensing some sort of lurid story, all five of them waited for her to speak. "I actually got married while there."
"No!" Hannah exclaimed.
All four women gasped in unison.
At the end of her patience, Katie rose. "Going to the little girl’s room." And she marched off, chest tight.
It was not the relaxing day she’d hoped for. She sat on a couch inside the gold lacquered bathroom, rubbing her face. She ignored the door opening until someone spoke to her.
"You’re that new, aren’t you?"
She looked up at Molly’s voice. The svelte model wore towering boots and a one-piece cat suit that left nothing to the imagination. Molly rolled one legging up to display a tattoo similar to the tattoo around Katie’s neck. It read Fendril, apparently the name of Molly’s mate. She replaced the legging and perched delicately on the loveseat beside Katie. Molly dug through her purse to retrieved a familiar brownish cube, like the ones Katie’d eaten to stay alive in Hell.
Shocked, Katie hesitated and then took it, the sugary taste soothing her headache as she swallowed.
"Your Ancient drew too much too fast," Molly said. "He needs to learn some control. It’s worse than a hangover."
"He’s always gentle," Katie replied. "For whatever reason, people like to attack me."
"The first Ancient to take a mate," Molly said with both awe and disappointment in her tone. She offered Katie a food and water cube, both of which lessened the pain throbbing through her. "Rhyn? Isn’t he in Hell for trying to wipe out mankind?"
Katie sighed.
"I didn’t have much of a choice, either," Molly admitted. "I’m among the youngest of the immortals’ mates, only a hundred years old. They allow us to lead as normal of a life as possible. You’ll find your mate will move around a lot, but you can still make friends wherever you go, and immortals’ mates are an amazing group. It’s an incredible life! You must be thrilled."
"No."
"Well, it does take some getting used to. It’s an honor to be among the first to welcome you officially to the family."
Katie glanced up, surprised to see Molly was genuinely smiling. The beautiful woman pulled a card from her small purse and handed it to her.
"You’re always welcome to call me, and I hope you think of me when you’re prepping for the Spring Gala."
Molly rose and left. Katie watched her go, feeling better with the otherworldly sustenance in her system. She composed herself and psyched herself up for a day of shopping, awkward questions about Rhyn, and Hannah’s flaky friends.
Hours later, Katie dropped onto the plush guest bed, clad in a T-shirt and underwear after a hot shower. She was barely on her feet and debated whether or not she’d get up to turn off the light or fall asleep right there.
A touch of coldness made the hair on the back of her neck rise, and she sat up, fearful Kris or Sasha had come for her. Rhyn emerged from the shadows near the window, dressed in black with his hair tied back. His eyes flashed silver, his rugged features covered in a few days’ growth.
Fear flashed through her at the memory of what someone his size could do to her. Kris had been of a smaller, leaner frame, and she’d been helpless against him. And then she relaxed. Rhyn was the only man who’d never hurt her.
"You look worse than usual," he observed.
She flushed and pulled her T-shirt over her bare legs, resting her chin on her knees.
"How’s the war?" she asked as he neared.
He growled deep in his chest in response. He sat beside her and reached for her, his gaze on the newest scars given to her by Kris. Despite her determination not to, she flinched as he gripped her neck.
"Who hurt you?" he growled.
"No, Rhyn."
"You will tell me."
"No."
His eyes flashed. She waited for him to explode. Instead, his hand dropped to her shoulder, and he pulled her against him. Her body sang in happiness at the closeness, and she felt herself relax. She breathed his scent and released her knees, wrapping her arms around him.
Embarrassed, she felt tears in her eyes. He pulled her into his lap, his possessive touch and warmth soothing her.
"You will tell me," he said.
"Nope."
"You’re not supposed to leave without permission."
"I wasn’t going to bleed to death on the floor, and you weren’t around!" she snapped.
"You know how to call me."
"It’s no big deal."
"I don’t know what the fuck you’re smoking," he said.
She gripped him harder. He reciprocated.
"You’re not one to talk about not breaking sacred rules," she pointed out.
"No one hurts what’s mine."
"Everything hurts what’s yours!" she retorted with feeling. "I’m not going to survive your world for long, Rhyn!"
He said nothing. He smoothed her hair and rested his chin on her head. She loosened her grip on him, sensing he wasn’t going to leave, whatever his mood was. Her eyes were heavy, her anger draining her last bit of energy. She breathed in his scent and closed her eyes.
When she opened them sometime later, he held her tightly against him. They lay in bed beneath the covers in the dark room. She couldn’t help but feel grateful he was there. She didn’t feel up to the challenge of finding out what other creatures lived in the darkness of the immortals’ world.
"Why wouldn’t you just tell Kris the woman he loved was evil?" she asked the question that had been plaguine her.
He growled.
"Don’t you dare!" she said. "You owe me some explanations. Every time I turn around, I’m getting my ass kicked by some beast, many of which are probably after you!"
"I like you better when you’re quiet."
She gritted her teeth, unwilling to leave the sanctuary of his arms and cursing herself for her weakness.
"I broke the Immortal Code." His words surprised her.
"You don’t follow rules, though," she said, confused. She twisted, trying to see him in the dark. His eyes glowed pewter.
"I respect the Code. Doesn’t mean I always have to follow it."
"That makes no sense. You break the Code when you feel like it?"
"When I must."
She pushed herself up despite his grip, staring at him hard. Despite his monstrous habits of shredding anything in his path, he had a sense of honor more deeply ingrained than she’d ever suspected. He’d broken the Code for a brother who’d never cared one ounce for him and accepted his place in Hell.
"Isn’t there anything in the Code about doing a better job of protecting your mate?"
"I’ve never had anything to take care of," he snarled. "You’re weak and foolish and Gods, if I could find a magic pill that’d knock some sense into you--"
"I have a great deal of sense! What you fail to realize is that--whatever I am--I draw good and evil to me. Nothing corrupts someone like the temptation of invincibility."
"It was one of Kris’s warriors who hurt you," he said, his voice lowering into another feral growl. "I knew when Gabriel summoned me to you and went to Kris. You tell Gabe but not me?"
"I didn’t tell him. He went through my memories," she said with a note of anger. She felt his tension slide away as he became thoughtful. "No, Rhyn. Have some respect for my mental privacy!"
He snorted and pulled her down into his arms again. Resistance was fruitless. She allowed him to wrap his arms and one heavy thigh around her body.
"What’s Kris supposed to do to someone who broke the part of the Code about someone else’s mate?" she asked quietly.
"Don’t care."
"What?"
"Don’t care what Kris does. I’ll kill whoever it is," he said with conviction that left her no doubt he was serious.
Her heart slowed. She didn’t like Kris, but he did what he did for some greater cause than himself. He wasn’t a bad man, just a misguided one.
"Is this Code written down anywhere?" she asked.
"Nope."
"Can you tell me what it says?"
"Nope," he said again.
"Rhyn, I--"
"Shut up and sleep. Nothing else bad will happen to you."
She fell silent. Her body was still exhausted from Kris’s attack and a day spent with Hannah and her friends. Though she fought sleep, it started to claim her anyway.
"Rhyn?" she said drowsily.
"What."
"I think I’m falling in love with you."
"What?"
"I’m smarter than you, too."