Anthony felt much better after a full day’s sleep. He had the ability to stay awake all day if he chose, but it didn’t come without consequences. And having Zach, Sebastian, Jade, Torin, Suzanne and others helping watch over the family during the day, he felt everyone was as safe as they could make them.
Kaia was as safe as he could make her. She lie still asleep next to him, his beautiful vampire bride. He rolled closer and wrapped his arms around her, overcome with emotion that she was finally his… forever.
Movement in his bedroom doorway distracted him from his moment of savoring what all his sacrifices in life had finally brought him, which was the woman of his dreams.
He released her, feeling embarrassed getting caught exhibiting so much emotion. Kaia was openly affectionate with him in public, and it never bothered him maybe because it was clear she was usually the instigator, but being caught displaying such emotion on his own felt different.
Luckily Zach seemed distracted with his own matters tonight.
“Vince has been mostly unconscious all day.”
Anthony stilled in alarm. If Kaia had hurt Vince by forcing him to drink vampire blood, well, that wouldn’t be good. And by the look on Zach’s face, and the feel of his emotions being held tightly closed off from him, he wasn’t sure how bad things were.
“But when he was awake, he seemed like he was starting to turn cat.”
A feeling of restrained hope filled the air, and Anthony relaxed.
“That’s good to hear. I−”
“He needs more vampire blood. The doctor thinks it’s helping.”
Anthony’s head wasn’t entirely clear yet, having just woke for the night, so it took him a moment to respond, which only made Zach more tense.
“Of course. Where is he now?”
“His place.”
He nodded as he looked Kaia over again. She still slept soundly beside him, and probably wouldn’t be awake for another half hour or more.
“Is this an urgent need, or can I meet you there with some volunteers once Kaia’s awake and ready for the night?”
It felt strange to be overseeing Kaia’s needs, especially since she’d always been so independent and self-sufficient as a human. As a vampire he had to carefully watch over her both day and night, and would continue to do so for as long as it took until she’d mastered control over her new form. He found it a more enjoyable task than he already thought it would be.
Torin edged past Zach into the room and Anthony’s vampire hunger overrode everything else.
Zach said, “It can wait, but we’d all appreciate it if it didn’t take overly long to get volunteers up there. We’re hoping all he needs is vampire blood, but if that doesn’t work, well, then we need to figure out what’s wrong with him because something changed.”
Anthony nodded, though his attention was on the thump of Torin’s beating heart as he sat next to him on the edge of the bed.
Zach said a little more firmly from across the room, “Just hurry, please.”
**
Penny had memorized everything in Vince’s messy room by the time Anthony and Kaia showed up along with Anthony’s father, and Benicio trailing behind.
Zach sounded a little bitchy when he said, “Where are all the volunteers? And what’s Benicio doing here? He’s way too high a level for Vince.” He noticeably didn’t say anything about Isaiah.
Anthony seemed unbothered by Zach’s mood as he locked eyes with him and settled with Kaia in front of the large picture window facing Vince’s bed.
Zach more dramatically said, “No. We need someone less powerful. I don’t want an extra issue of him gaining new powers on top of all his other problems.”
Anthony carefully said, “Kaia had a premonition that Vince needs his blood specifically.”
Judging by the confused look on her face, that was news to Kaia. And Zach was totally unimpressed.
“No offense you guys, but Kaia was human two nights ago. I’m not ready to rely on any premonitions she might or might not be having. Her premonition about Penny’s rescue doesn’t convince me she’s always right.”
Penny could feel the woman’s relief from way over here. Huh. What was going on?
Anthony calmly said, “I have faith in her visions, whether she’s had them as a human or vampire.”
All eyes were on Kaia now, and she shrank back against Anthony under all the attention.
Zach growled irritably. “You’ve had a vision about Vince?”
Kaia quietly said, “I don’t know what you guys are talking about.”
Anthony replied, “She doesn’t remember her visions. Just like Echo doesn’t when she has them.”
Zach blew out a breath. “Anthony, you know Benicio’s too powerful for Vince. We don’t know what could happen with that level of blood in him.”
Penny was beginning to see where this was going, and her nerves ate her alive because she’d already caused enough trouble in the last week, but she’d never been good at keeping her big mouth shut. “I don’t think Vince is as weak as you think he is. He’s more dominant than Benicio, and for sure more dominant than that werewolf Quinn.”
Everyone’s doubting eyes were on her, first, then slowly turned to Benicio.
Anthony said, “This is true?”
“Yes Master.”
Zach seemed surprised, but not entirely convinced. “Min-chul? Charlotte?”
Min-chul frowned, looked Vince over head to toe, then let his suspicious eyes linger on Penny for a time. “Perhaps we should start slow, with a less powerful vampire, and if he doesn’t improve, then… maybe.”
Charlotte made her way to Vince’s side and knelt by the bed, taking his hand in hers. “I’ve never seen any signs of his animal before, and now he’s got cat eyes because of this woman. Because of his friend.”
Min-chul stepped closer and his voice was rough, yet sympathetic when he said, “You think we should do this?”
“I just want him better. I don’t want to see him suffer anymore. How much can he take before he just can’t take any more?”
The emotion in Charlotte’s voice tore Penny up inside. She hadn’t known Vince all that long in the grand scheme of things, yet she’d seen plenty of times that he’d been so weak he could barely function. Dealing with that his whole life had to be taking its toll on his sanity, let alone wearing down his already weak healing ability.
The sudden transformation in Min-chul was just as heartbreaking to watch. His fatherly concern and uncertainty of only a few moments ago were replaced with the steely look of a well-trained soldier performing a mission that had no room for failure, and no room for emotion.
His tone was brisk and sharp when he said, “Give him vampire blood. Now.”
He gestured for Benicio to step forward, and he did without any hesitation.
Min-chul turned his unflinching eyes on Zach. “Do you have protocol for this, or will a slice across his wrist do the trick?”
“Ed, get a knife.”
Min-chul nodded once, then moved towards the bed. He gestured for Penny to make room, but by the look on Zach’s face, it seemed like something else was going on.
Zach spoke to Min-chul’s back. “I’ll do it. I’m his alpha.”
Min-chul whirled on him, and with a deadly energy in the air he said, “I’m his father. I’ll do it and I’ll take responsibility for the consequences.”
Everyone tensed, but Zach backed down, looking like he finally trusted this man that they’d always thought was their enemy. Maybe he still was, but he was also Vince’s dad, so Zach gestured for Ed to give him the knife.
Penny cleared the way, along with everyone else so Min-chul could take up the far side of Vince on the bed and Benicio stayed on the side closest to the door.
Zach said, “You sure you’re cool with this Benicio? It’s only been a few days since−”
Hard lines appeared around his eyes. “As you can see, I’ve healed from the attack, Mr. Johansen. Vince and his father were kind enough to tend to me in my time of need and I’ll gladly return the favor.”
Penny cringed inside because Benicio’s UV-light attack was her fault. Her fault that he was even there, anyway. And even though his body was healed, it was obvious the whole experience still disturbed him.
So now the quietness in the room had an angry vibe to it, but once Min-chul sliced Benicio’s wrist and held it to Vince’s mouth, the bitterness was replaced by hope and anticipation.
The whole thing was messy at first because Vince was too weak to do much on his own. After the second time Benicio was sliced open, Vince finally latched on with all the strength it looked like he had in him. His hands shook, hell, his whole body shook, but he worked Benicio’s wrist as best he could.
When he finally pushed his arm away and a minute, then two minutes passed, there was a collective sigh because Vince wasn’t throwing up the blood. But his bright green cat eyes looked more and more desperate and anxious as he started grimacing, and Penny panicked. What if he was stuck in this in between place forever?
His whole body began twitching and jerking about, and the doctor raced to his side to look in his eyes, listen to heart, and try to get him to say something. Anything.
But there was nothing except obvious pain that seemed to be getting worse without anything to show for why. He wasn’t turning any more cat that he already was.
Min-chul snapped, “More. He needs more.” He locked eyes with Anthony, who held tightly to his new vampire bride. Kaia looked tense as he held her close, and Penny finally realized it was to hold her back every time she slightly jerked forward. He was keeping her from getting loose. Crap.
Charlotte sniffled, then turned away and wept in Ed’s arms. “My baby. He’s always in so much pain. I can’t bear it.”
Anthony frowned at them from the foot of the bed, then turned and used one hand to hold onto Kaia as he awkwardly pulled the curtains open of the window he stood in front of.
Min-chul snapped more loudly, “Vampire! Did you hear me? He needs more. You can’t leave him like this, not now that we know what will heal him! Get more vampires up here or give him your blood.”
Anthony calmly said, “No,” before turning back to the window and nudging Kaia away. “Father?”
Isaiah reached out and grabbed tight to Kaia’s arm, and from the looks of it she wasn’t very happy about it, but Penny’s and everyone else’s attention was on Anthony as he slid one of the vertical windows open. To everyone’s confusion, he turned into mist and flew out into the night.
Isaiah stepped in front of the window with Kaia and looked outside.
Min-chul scowled. “What the hell’s going on?”
Isaiah said, “He’s… kneeling in the grass.”
Zach strode forward, took a look, then jerked away. “Shit. Get out of here. Everyone. Now.”
Isaiah frowned heavily at him. “Why?”
As fast as he could, he said, “Anthony drained himself recently trying to heal some wolves that were shot. To heal himself after that, he sat out in the grass, somehow absorbing power from the ground, or the earth, or wherever. When he came to, he wasn’t himself and anything he got close to got fried. That includes people. It wasn’t until he went to sleep again that he had his power under control.”
Isaiah frowned and got out of the way so Zach could push everyone out of the room, though Sebastian was already growling at those that weren’t moving fast enough.
Penny screeched, “What about Vince?”
Zach gave her a worried look, flicked a glance to Vince writhing in pain on the bed, then paced to the window again. He gave a good look outside, then said, “He stays. Anthony’s not drained tonight so maybe he can control the power he’s siphoning.” He jerked his attention to the crowd. “Isaiah. When Anthony comes back up here, assuming he does, there might be some explosions. Can you use your power to help keep glass and other things off of Vince?”
“Of course.” He passed Kaia off to Sebastian and kept his focus on the window, ready to do his part.
Zach said, “And, uh, be ready to yank Vince out of there if Anthony doesn’t have control over himself. You can do that, right? I mean, I’m assuming you have some of the same powers as…”
Zach shut his mouth as Isaiah’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. I have that power. Just like my son, and just like my Maker.”
Penny didn’t want to leave Vince’s side, but Sebastian didn’t give her a choice when he grabbed her with his free hand and yanked her off the bed. She tried to glare at him and was going to try to tear out of his grasp, but one look into those Alpha Wolf eyes froze her to her core. When he wanted to be, Sebastian was a damn scary monster.
So she huddled in the crowd just outside Vince’s door with everyone else, except for Isaiah, and tried her best to keep an eye on her man.
Vince lie on the bed grunting and dry heaving, and it wasn’t long before an eerie quiet fell over the room. Even Vince’s grunts and whimpers seemed hushed, at least until Anthony’s misty form seeped in through the window.
Nothing exploded like Zach thought it would, but as soon as Anthony’s translucent hands reached Vince, screams tore through the air. Anthony’s eyes were bright, the only thing even halfway solid on him right now, but his face was expressionless as he pressed down on Vince’s thighs, his body a wispy trail of mist still stretching out the window and into the night.
The energy looked like it had a heartbeat as it pulsed up through that eerie trail and into Vince’s trembling body. He bucked against it, the air thick and hard to breathe as they all watched him battle with the broken magic inside himself.
But Vince never once tried to push Anthony away, and by the time Anthony abruptly snapped back to his whole self, Vince’s cries sounded more animal than human.
Anthony slumped forward, then weakly maneuvered himself to fall beside Vince on the bed.
Zach cautiously called out, “Anthony? You ok bud?”
He rolled onto his back and tiredly said, “I still have control over myself, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That’s good, buddy. Is it safe to come in the room?”
The sickening sounds of tendons popping and muscles and bones rearranging themselves competed with Vince’s screams of agony, and Anthony was suddenly gone from the room while Vince began shifting in front of everyone’s eyes.
Bodies pressed against Penny and she looked around to see Anthony pulling Kaia back into his arms and away from the action.
Min-chul shoved his way through the crowd and started undressing. “Zach. Take us somewhere he can run. I’ll shift and try to control him.”
“Control him? How the hell are you going to do that as your cat?”
Charlotte snapped, “Min-chul is aware when he’s his animal.”
Penny stiffened, along with this whole room full of people. That was a personal, and important thing to reveal because not everyone had the skill to keep their human mind while they were their animal, and not everyone liked for others to know if they didn’t have the skill. All in all, less people had the ability than didn’t have it, so that meant Min-chul had an advantage over Zach, even if Zach was otherwise more powerful than him.
The two men locked eyes for a moment, looking like wheels were spinning in both their heads, and everyone held their breaths while they waited for Zach to do something.
Luckily Vince’s screams tore them from whatever power games they were playing, and all Penny could do was helplessly watch her man as he writhed in pain.
Min-chul finished stripping in front of them all, and Suzanne elbowed her once he was bare naked. Penny had to admit, for an old guy he was damn fine. And if that was Vince’s dad… Ugh. This probably wasn’t the greatest time to have her mind in the gutter.
Min-chul shifted swiftly and neatly into his cat, and his animal was just as sleek and well-toned as his human self. And black. Not all jaguars were. Most were shades of gold with black spots.
Vince’s shift was nowhere near as neat as his father’s. His arms lengthened as he screamed in horror, and his cat eyes were wild, feverish, and terrified. His face slowly morphed, his head widening while his human ears receded and cat ears formed higher up. Once his snout pushed forward from his nose and mouth, his voice changed. It had a wilder, deeper pitch to it, and it was even more animal sounding than before.
His hands widened next as his skin stretched and took on a painful, angry red tone, his chest heaving in anxious breaths while he knelt on all fours and arched his back in shaky tremors. Zach and Ed quickly tore his remaining clothes off him, just the shorts she’d carefully put back on him this morning. Being completely naked would free him from any unnecessary restraints while he shifted. Unnecessary pain.
Her heart hurt for him as he dry heaved on the bed in between wild cat screams and the grotesque sounds of his body forcibly changing shape. And they all cringed when his skin actually stretched to its limit and tore open in spots, only to heal over again.
His shift seemed to take a really long time, but it was probably pretty average compared to most shifters. Still, her gut felt sick watching him in so much pain and anguish, and just plain terror. Her head knew that all shifters went through these same changes every month, but when everyone was all together, it didn’t seem as bad. They had company in their pain, and they knew that it would be over soon and then they’d have all night to run with the adrenaline of their animal finally free and loose on the most powerful night of the month. Seeing it completely sober as her human self made it hit home that it was a horrific thing to go through.
But it was still magical, and soon black hair flowed and coated Vince’s body, and his transformation was complete.
He was a beautiful animal, just like his father, and everyone jerked in surprise when Vince let out a wild cat howl. He looked shocked and confused at the sound of his own voice, then got tangled up in the blankets and sheets as he tripped over his feet and fell off the bed. Murmurs of laughter mixed with sounds of sympathy rippled through their group.
Vince was awkward and clumsy as he tried to stand and walk, but ended up going forwards, then backwards, then bumping into and ricocheting between the bed and the wall. He seemed all around confused about what was going on.
Zach hollered, “Ed, get a van. Let’s take him to the ranch. Jade, bring extra clothes.”
Penny’s heart raced. “I’m going with.”
Zach locked eyes with her. “No. This is his first shift and we don’t know how powerful he is. I don’t want anyone getting hurt. Level fours and fives only tonight.”
Her heart dropped. She was a three. Not strong enough magically or physically to be part of their group.
Zach grabbed her by the shoulder as Vince stumbled around his bedroom. “There’ll be plenty more times for you two to run together.”
She knew he was right, but it still hurt that she couldn’t be there with him, especially after their odd, yet sweet day together. “Fine. Just go.”
She got out of everyone’s way and couldn’t help her happy tears while watching them wrangle him out of the apartment. He looked like he was struggling not to trip over his own feet, and Anthony’s father even lent a hand, using his power to try to control his movements. Zach seemed surprised by the unasked for help, and soon they had a system down to get Vince out the door.
When the commotion finally died off, she resisted the urge to run after them. Vince was in good hands, she knew he was, and there wasn’t anything she could do to help him right now. Besides, Charlotte was still here, sobbing in happiness, Benicio was looking lazy and tired on the couch, and Suzanne stood with her arms crossed, watching them from the kitchen.
She looked at her alpha in confusion. “You didn’t go with?”
Suzanne shrugged. “They can handle it, and it seemed like a guy thing anyway.”
“Jade went.”
“Yeah, but she’s jaguar.” She flicked a look behind Penny. “Besides, we’re not done here.”
Penny turned around and froze. Kaia was eyeing her like candy, and Anthony looked weary enough to fall asleep on his feet. He kept a tight hold on his bride as she slowly rocked against his grip, but Penny wondered how long he could keep her in check.
And Charlotte… shit. Penny had heard through the family grapevine that Charlotte was pregnant. If she got hurt…
She felt like she’d sort of bonded with Anthony recently when he asked for her help with the security cameras, so she calmly and slowly said, “Hey’a Mr. Foster. So, uh, people are looking a little hungry. Should we call someone? Because I heard Charlotte’s preggers over here, so, uh, that wouldn’t be good for her to−”
“No one’s going to be attacked, Miss Thomason. But yes, it would be good to call on volunteers.” His tired eyes locked on her for a moment before looking away.
She traded a WTF look with Suzanne, then decided to take another one for the team, though this time it wouldn’t be as fun.
“So, who’s hungriest? And don’t mess up my hair any more than it already is.”
Kaia lurched forward, making Anthony sway as he kept a tenuous hold on her.
Suzanne grabbed Penny by the arm, pressing her back behind her. “Why don’t you leave the newbie to me. You can offer yourself to someone more experienced at controlling themselves.”
She looked up at Anthony, his eyes boring into her and making her feel like the prey she probably was to him. Luckily Suzanne’s movements made him look away, and he slowly let Kaia go once she was safely wrapped around her and feeding from her neck.
His tired gaze flicked sharply to Penny then, and she froze again. She tried to calm her heart as she told herself she’d be all right. After all, Anthony healed Vince. He surely wouldn’t hurt her, would he? He was still in control of himself, right?
He seemed frustrated when he said, “I’ll be fine Miss Thomason. I can control myself until I find a volunteer.”
He might be able to control himself, but his ashen tone said it was going to be madness while he waited. Damn men. They could never just ask for help.
She stepped closer and arched her neck. “Is this how you do it?”
He let out a slow, shaky breath, his fangs now visible as he eyed her throat. She’d never volunteered to feed a vampire before, and his uncharacteristically intense reaction to her made her a little unsure if this was such a wise idea.
He didn’t make any moves towards her, though. Instead, he said, “If it makes you more comfortable, your wrist would be fine.”
He still didn’t move, and she wondered if it was because he knew she was scared of him. He might’ve been nice to her when she was kidnapped, and even afterwards when he asked for her help overseeing Kaia’s turning, but he was still vampire and he looked damn weak right now. It didn’t help that the sounds of Kaia eagerly feeding from Suzanne made for eerie background noise as she decided what to do.
Anthony looked away from her and settled back against the wall. “As I said, I’ll be all right. Thank you for thinking of me.”
She stepped forward and held her wrist out. “Feed. You helped Vince, and me, so I’m helping you.”
Only his eyes moved, and his gaze felt incredibly powerful even though he looked exhausted. Her arm seemed to weigh a hundred pounds as she held it out and waited for him to do something, but his hesitation was short lived. Before she knew it, he warily stepped forward and reached for her hand.
She tensed at his cold touch. His hands were firm and strong as he was obviously trying to be gentle with her, watching her carefully as he positioned her wrist at a good angle, then looked down and bit into her flesh.
She wasn’t sure what she expected but his bite was a quick, sharp prick, and then an incredible warmth that didn’t feel at all bad. In fact, it felt pretty nice. Huh. It had to be his vampire mojo doing that to her.
Just as her thoughts started getting a little fuzzy, she heard Benicio’s voice.
“Mistress. Mistress Foster. Kaia! You must stop now.”
Anthony stilled and Penny looked up to see him staring intently at Kaia and Benicio.
Benicio had his hands around Suzanne’s shoulders. “Once they start to tremble it’s best to let them go. The more you take, the longer it takes for them to heal.”
Anthony pulled back from Penny’s wrist in the meantime, then licked her. If she wasn’t feeling so sleepy all of a sudden, she’d be weirded out by that.
His eyes were still on Kaia when he said to her, “It helps the wound heal faster. Thank you for your blood.”
**
Penny woke on Charlotte’s couch about an hour later.
“What happened? Where is everyone?”
Charlotte put the TV on mute. “They’re still out at the ranch. Zach texted and said everyone’s all right and not to worry.”
Her relieved smile and teary eyes made Penny feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and she couldn’t help giving Charlotte a hug.
“He’s healed. Finally.”
“Yes he is. And you helped with that. Thank you.”
Penny went back home feeling like her and Vince were finally on the mends, and life couldn’t be better.