Ryder and the convoy managed to make it the rest of the way to the city without further altercations. Oh sure, there had been plenty of obstacles. Abandoned vehicles, some even burned until they were nothing more than a metal skeleton. It had been sketchy trying to get around, and they even had to go off-road a few times, but they finally made it. Now they drove through the center of the city, and it was like entering another world. A whistle came from the seat behind him.
“Wow. I never expected this.” It was Kayla’s quiet voice that reached him.
“It’s like a war zone,” Jaden said, his weapon ready. “Not unlike many places we’ve been on mission.”
“True enough,” Ryder replied.
Overturned vehicles littered the streets. Smoke filled the sky and at times became so thick, they could hardly see through it and had to slow to a crawl, which Ryder didn’t like one bit. But he had his newly honed vampire senses on high alert for danger.
“I can’t believe there’s no one left.” Kayla leaned forward between Ryder and Jaden to stare out the windshield.
“Don’t be fooled. While the Red Death moved fast, killing who knows how many and thousands fleeing, there are people here. I can sense them,” Ryder replied.
“Demons too. They’re lurking in the shadows.” Jaden shifted in his seat. No sooner had he spoken than a creature that nightmares were made of stepped in front of them. Ryder slammed on the brakes.
Kayla clutched the back of both front seats. “God, it’s disgusting.”
At least seven feet tall, with black, glossy skin and claw-tipped fingers, it gazed at them with red eyes. A mouth full of razor-sharp teeth looked ready to tear through flesh and bone. Thick, yellow drool trailed from its gaping mouth and seemed to hang in mid-air.
“I’ve never seen one in the daylight.” Ryder lowered his window and aimed his pistol. Squeezing the trigger, he fired a bullet between the eyes. The creature let out a screech that made the hair on his arms stand before it hit the ground.
“I don’t think you killed it,” Kayla said.
“Don’t even ask me to get out and take care of it.” Jaden crossed his arms in defiance.
“What the hell would we use, anyway?” It would take a machete to break through the beast's thick neck, if they were lucky. Instead, Ryder gripped the wheel and maneuvered around the limp body, praying for it to stay down until they were out of the way.
“What’s your plan, anyway?”
He glanced at Kayla’s silver eyes via his rearview mirror. “We’re going to take over the Quin hotel for the time being.”
“Time being?” She squinted.
“Have you been in seclusion? We need to get as many supplies as we can before the full brunt of winter comes.”
“Then what?”
“Then we head to Site R,” he replied.
“The government facility? What? You plan to knock on the front door and expect to be ushered in and served tea and cake?”
“I do.” There was no reason to go into details right now. He hoped the hotel was still in a decent state. Many of the skyscrapers they drove past had broken windows and evidence of fire. Not a good sign.
“Huh. Well, by all means then, let’s get this plan into gear. The Quin it is.”
He shook his head at her sarcasm as they rolled up to the hotel then clicked the mic on his radio. “Move in and secure the premises.” He focused on Jaden. “Once secure, I want the women on the third floor. We’ll station our men above and below them for protection. You and I will take a room on the same floor at opposite ends.”
“Copy that.” Then Jaden slipped out of the vehicle and melted into the shadows of the building.
Ryder trusted Jaden to have his back. The two men had been through a lot together. Jaden had pulled Ryder out of a few scrapes while out on mission. Iraq was one hellhole that quickly came to mind. A place where Ryder had thought he might actually die, but he’d survived. Just as he would survive whatever this was. He only hoped he and the others like him could keep their darker side at bay. The demon inside them wanted to gorge on blood until their bellies were ready to explode. His hunger welled up, and he realized it had been some time since he’d fed. His fangs began to ache and threatened to push their way into place.
“I feel like a sitting duck here.” Kayla broke through his haze.
“I don’t sense any humans close by.” He closed his eyes and allowed his senses to drift outward, into the dark shadows. “I don’t detect any demons either.”
“Really? Can you like smell them or something?”
“It’s hard to explain. I’m not sure I even understand it, but in a way, I can smell them. Humans in general have a coppery scent until I filter out an individual’s smell.” He twisted in his seat to look at her. “For instance, you smell like vanilla.”
Her brow arched. “Really? I don’t use anything with a vanilla scent.”
“It’s how you smell to me.” He had a sudden urge to taste her and find out if her scent matched her flavor.
“What about demons?”
Safe topic change. “They smell like death. Rotting flesh. Evil definitely stinks.” He suddenly realized that his brethren had no smell. At least not to him. Instead they carried an aura. Those that were part of his line––even if not created directly by him––were easily recognized.
One of his men approached. “All clear, sir. The generator was running so there is heat and hot water. However, the fuel reserve is down to a quarter tank.”
Ryder gave a nod. “Good. Ladies, shall we take a look at our new lodgings?” He opened his door and hopped out. Before he could open the back door, Gordy was there helping the women exit the vehicle. Ryder hoped like hell this wasn’t going to turn into an issue. He took a quick glance at Gordy’s arm. The marking hadn’t changed. As he followed the females into the lobby of the hotel, he wondered if he should try to contact Tegan and inquire if the archangel had any ideas.
Kayla tossed her pack on the bed of what would be her home, at least for the time being. A fair-sized room with a king bed, loveseat, and desk. The shower was big enough for two, and she couldn’t wait to try it out. She popped open the mini fridge to discover two bottles of water, a personal-sized bottle of wine, and assorted mini liquor bottles. Then she promptly pulled the plug on the unit. Ryder had instructed everyone to unplug anything not needed to reserve what little fuel they had left in the generator. Heat was their priority right now.
“Well, at least I can get drunk if I need to.” Later she would explore the rest of the hotel and see what she might collect. A knock on her door interrupted her plans for a shower. Damn it, she wanted to get to it before the power was gone. Who knew how long hot water would last? When she peeked through the peephole, she spotted Ryder and her aggravation grew.
Jerking the door open. “What?”
“How are your accommodations?”
“Luxurious.”
“May I come in?”
Why did her body heat at the thought of him in her room? Alone and in the dim light of the setting sun that came in the window. She stepped aside and waved him in, refusing to let her body be in charge. He brushed past her, all sexual energy, his heat scorching her skin as he made the slightest contact. Did he intentionally bump her? When he stopped near her bed, he spun to face her. His presence filled the room and demanded her full attention.
“I assume your father taught you self-defense besides how to shoot?”
She closed the door, sealing them in together. “Yes.”
“Good. Can you assess what the other women know and help train them?”
“Sure.”
“Excellent. I’ll have you work with Jaden. He can help fill in the gaps with the training. You should begin as soon as possible. There are several large banquet rooms here as well as a gym. I’m sure you can make use of them.”
She gave a nod. “What about shooting?” Obviously, they couldn’t be firing guns inside the hotel.
“My men will secure a location outside for that activity. You’ll have several guards whenever you go out. I don’t know how long we’ll be here though.”
“Well, however long, I’ll make good use of the time.”
He continued to stare at her without speaking.
“Anything else?”
“About your blood donation.”
Damn it. She was hoping he would forget about that, but of course he wouldn’t. “I did promise. Have you chosen who I will be, umm, feeding?”
“Yes. You will belong to me exclusively.”
She took a step back. “Whoa. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Horrible idea as a matter of fact.
His dark brow lifted. “And why is that?”
Because the thought of his lips on her neck did something funny to her. Then there was the knowledge that his bite might be pleasurable. For some reason, she didn’t think she could handle that. With another man? Probably, but not Ryder.
“I have my reasons.”
“Not good enough. We made a deal. For my protection, you would feed us just like the other women agreed to. The only difference is I promised you to one man rather than becoming a smorgasbord.”
She wrinkled her nose. “That sounds disgusting.”
He lifted a well-muscled shoulder. “It’s survival for all of us. Take your pick. All my men can have their fangs buried in your lovely neck or you can have only mine.” He flashed a wicked grin.
Hell’s bells. “If I agree, I don’t have to be a broodmare. Right?”
“Now who’s being disgusting? The women here are not broodmares. They are going to help continue mankind and have willingly offered to do so when the time is right.” He crossed his arms, biceps flexing against the fabric of the long sleeve tee he wore, which caused instant heat in her sex. God, she hated this man.
“So, I don’t have to have sex with you. Good to know.”
“I won’t tell you no should you desire a good fucking.” Again, with that damn grin. She wanted to wipe it off his face with her fist.
“I wouldn’t count on that happening. Ever.” She flashed her own devil-may-care grin and prayed she’d be able to make good on her vow. Her entire body was an inferno, something she was going to blame on the plague as well. It was safer than thinking she was way too attracted to the man staring at her.
“Your loss. Anyway, I need to feed, so”—he moved to sit on her bed—“shall we get started?”
Panic raced up her spine and caused her heart rate to increase. Kayla was a woman who kept her word if nothing else. So, she lifted her chin and marched to him.
“How do we do this?”
He kicked off his boots and slid farther up the mattress until he was leaning against the pile of pillows. Then he parted his legs and patted the bed. “Sit here, with your back to me.”
Oh crap! She would be damned if he was going to rattle her, so she kicked off her own shoes and joined him. Once she was settled with her back to him, he slid an arm around her waist and jerked until her back touched his chest.
Shit!
He brushed his fingers over the pulse pounding in her neck. “Nervous?”
To lie or not. He no doubt sensed her mood. “Umm, yeah! How did you feel when you had a pair of fangs stuck into your vein the first time?”
“Pretty damn good, considering my cock was sliding in and out of Arsenia at the time.”
Why did she have to ask? No words came to mind that she dared repeat because she knew they would come out nothing more than a squeak.
“You only need to relax, and I will make sure it doesn’t hurt.” His mouth was so close to her ear, hot breath brushed across her skin. She almost wished for pain. At least it would keep her body in check.
She swallowed and closed her eyes. Relaxing was going to be impossible as was controlling her erratic heartbeat. His lips touched her neck, and she was unable to stop the gasp as heat seared her. The kisses were soft and gentle, the opposite of Ryder, who was all muscle, sinew, and predator. He suckled, stirring a desire so intense it scared her. Her skin tightened while her muscles became a pool of liquid fire. Never had Dylan made her feel like this. Yes, sex had been good between them, and she had always been satisfied. Something told her that with Ryder, it would be raw. Animalistic and she would always want more. Giving in to him would make her body happy, but he would take something of her away with him. Ryder wasn’t a settling-down type of man. Hell, was he even still a man?
She was pulled from her thoughts when the pressure of sharp points pressed against her skin. Sucking in a breath, she held it and waited for the pain to slice through her. Instead, there was no discomfort, unless she considered the desire that bubbled inside her as uncomfortable. The sensations that bombarded her were surreal. Her skin now hypersensitive, when Ryder’s fingers circled her wrist and his thumb stroked the back of her palm, she gasped. Her sex throbbed with every pull he took at her vein, and her nipples hardened against the fabric of her bra. The erection pressed to her back answered whether Ryder was still a man. He was indeed and the urge to straddle him, rubbing until she came, had her biting her lip.
Lord help her if she had to endure this every time he fed.
The rich taste of vanilla slid down the back of Ryder’s throat as he took pull after pull of Kayla’s blood. Rather than going straight to his belly, he was certain it made its way farther down to his cock because he was rock hard. The feel of her pressed against him was all soft, curvaceous female.
There was no mistaking her reaction to him. The small gasp. The way she pressed herself against him. Would she beg him to fuck her? Did he want to? Most definitely he wouldn’t hesitate to slide his thickness into her and even considered whispering in her ear… Telling her what he wanted to do to her.
Instead he pulled his fangs free. He needed to regain his control. Rein in his desire. This wasn’t his first feeding, yet this female affected him like no other.
After releasing his grip on her, he kissed the area where he had bitten her to stop the blood flow.
“Was that so bad?” he asked. It had nearly snapped his resolve.
She scurried off the bed, her fingers going to her neck. “Bad enough. How often am I going to have to be your pin cushion?
“So ungrateful. I witnessed the reaction you had to me.” He should make a hasty exit, yet he liked playing with this female.
Her cheeks matched the pink streaks in her hair. “I can’t help how my body reacts, but I can guarantee I won’t be sleeping with you.”
“Such a shame, Kayla Reed. I could make you feel so good.” Challenge issued. Ryder wanted to have her begging him for relief. The thought of any other man touching her… Well, that was not happening on his watch. He shook the thoughts free. Relationships had never been his thing, and she would hate him when he walked away. For some reason that bothered him.
“I will be feeding from you twice weekly,” he continued.
“Fine but not here. I will come to you. Simply let me know when my services are required.”
So, she was going to keep this as informal as possible. Coming to him on her terms gave her the upper hand or so she thought. He would indulge her in this. Pushing off the bed, he straightened and didn’t bother to hide the erection that still pained him. She’d already felt it against her backside. Why try to cover what she did to him? He pulled his boots on, then strode to her, and stopped.
“Are you feeling okay? Not lightheaded are you?”
“I feel fine.”
“Good. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and later you can go out on a mission if you wish. Tomorrow you can begin working with the others.” Then he made his exit. With other things to do, he had to leave the beautiful Kayla behind. He wondered if she would now take the time to pleasure herself. The thought of her lying naked on the bed. Thighs spread and fingers plunging inside her slick, pink flesh had his cock going even harder. With a growl, he stormed down the hall and took the stairs to the lobby where he ran into Jaden.
“What’s the status on Gordy?” His snarl was that of a predator ready to snap.
“Damn, what crawled up your ass and bit you?”
“Nothing. Just fucking answer me.”
Jaden straightened. “We’ve had to put him in a room with two guards outside his door.”
“Son of a bitch. I don’t really need this shit right now.” He raked his fingers through his short hair. “Gather a team, we leave at fifteen hundred to head to the hospital.” He stormed away without waiting for any acknowledgement from Jaden. As he made his way to where they were keeping Gordy, he wondered why he allowed Kayla to get under his skin like this. He should treat her like the others and make her feed the rest of the men. Except the thought of anyone else touching her left him wanting to rip out someone’s throat.
He approached the men guarding Gordy. “Status,” he barked.
“Sir, he’s like a caged animal.” The man shook his head. “This keeps up and we’re going to be forced to use more extreme measures to contain him.”
“Understood. Step aside.”
Both men hesitated. “Sir, one of us should go in with you.”
Ryder let his fangs drop. “Need I remind you I’m quite capable of taking care of myself?”
They both stepped away from the door with a nod and Ryder twisted the handle, walking into the room. He thought he was prepared for the sight that met him, but his surprise proved he hadn’t been.
Before him Gordy wore a path into the carpet. His body tense and ready to snap at any second. The man––no, he was more animal at the moment than anything else––threw a feral gaze in his direction. “Let me out of here.” His voice was a low growl.
“Not until I’m certain you pose no threat to anyone. Most of all, Tara.”
“What the fuck is happening to me? I feel like an animal.” Gordy stopped for a moment then picked up the pace again.
“Do you want to harm the female?”
Gordy stopped again, his dark eyes wide. “No. Only any man who gets near her. I need to know she’s not been harmed. The urge to protect her is so overwhelming it makes my skin crawl.”
Shit. “Has there been any change in the marking?”
Gordy lifted his arm. “Looks the same and still burns like hell.”
“Okay. I need you to do me a favor. Stay here and fight this, and I swear I’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on.”
The other vampire nodded. “I’m doing my best.”
“That’s all I can ask of you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Then he was out the door, stopping to speak to the men outside. “Bring in another to guard him. Taser him if you have to.” Providing a taser even worked on a vampire. So many uncertainties when it came to them.
“Yes, sir.”
Ryder strode away. As soon as they were back from their scavenge of the hospital, he would contact Tegan. He also hoped while out, he could locate Liam.