Ryder was left with more questions than answers. So, Kayla was his mate? It made no sense that he was marked, had an insane urge to keep her safe, and had to use every ounce of strength he could muster to keep from taking her right here on the sidewalk. What did she face?
Not a mark and he had no idea how she felt. Did she face the same battle as him? Time for an open discussion.
“Kayla, walk with me so we can discuss what we’ve learned.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I can’t sleep, anyway.”
They kept moving away from the hotel, Ryder’s senses on high alert for any danger. He contemplated what to say when Kayla started first.
“So, this is all pretty weird. Huh?”
“Yes.”
“Are you angry? You seem upset about this.”
He stopped and focused on the way the night’s breeze moved her hair across her cheek. “Because someone else has decided our fate? Yes, I’m pissed. I didn’t ask to become a vampire. I didn’t ask for this plague to kill most of humankind, nor did I want some superior being deciding who I should be with. I have desires that I have no control over.”
“All valid reasons. I’m pissed too. I lost my family and now there is some connection to you that scares the hell out of me. I don’t like any of this.”
“Do you feel a connection between us?”
She pushed hair from her face. “Hell, we can invade each other’s minds. That’s just messed up.” She looked away and stared into the darkness. “I don’t like not having control of my desires either.”
She had desires? Of course, he had sensed them but to hear her affirmation brought him comfort. “Look at me.” He waited until she brought her focus back to him. “I never took time for a serious relationship. I figured being a Seal and putting my life in danger wasn’t fair to anyone I hooked up with.”
“That’s understandable.”
“You are someone I would have noticed though. I like your strength, Kayla. I admire how well you’ve acclimated, and you’re not afraid to stand up for yourself.” Maybe fate knew what it was doing, after all?
“I don’t feel that strong.” She looked at him, her eyes full of sadness. “On my way to find you, I came across a woman who was close to death from the illness. She begged me to kill her.”
His chest tightened. “What did you do?”
“I finally shot her. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Actually, harder than losing my family. That woman haunts me and is the reason I can’t sleep.”
“What you did took a lot of strength. Hell, I know men who wouldn’t have been able to do what you did. I don’t know, but maybe there is a valid reason why we were chosen. What shall we do about this?”
“I…” She shoved her fingers into her hair, pushing it into a sexy mess. “I can’t stand the thought of anyone else’s fangs in my neck so I’ll continue to feed you. But I can’t sleep with you, Ryder.” She shook her head. “I want to but I just can’t.”
A pang of disappointment slammed into him.
“Maybe at some point?”
“I understand, but I need to ask one favor of you.” Would she be willing to make this sacrifice?
“What’s that?”
“I can’t handle you with another man. If your needs become too great, you must allow only me to sate them.”
She folded her bottom lip under her teeth then released it. “Agreed, but only if you make the same promise.”
So, they were both making a pledge of fidelity to each other, yet they wouldn’t be together. He didn’t bother to stop the grin that spread across his mouth. “Agreed.” The sky was beginning to lighten. “We should head back.”
As they started to walk, he reached down and entwined his fingers with hers. At first, she glanced at him but then surprised him by giving a squeeze. They continued the rest of the way in silence. Ryder content––for the moment––that he and Kayla had come to an agreement. He would fight his desire for her until she came to him. The only problem was once he had her, he knew he would crave more.
They’d not gone an entire block when he sensed a human following them. He slipped his arm around Kayla’s shoulder and brought his mouth to her ear.
“We are being followed. Human, but I can’t say if he has weapons. Stay behind me.” He spun, shoving her behind him. “Unless you wish to die, come out and reveal yourself.”
A figure moved. “Ryder? You rotten bastard.”
“Liam.” Ryder’s gait increased as he shortened the distance between him and his friend. “I was beginning to think the worst.” He pulled the man into an embrace, slapping him on the back.
“I thought you had given up on me.”
Ryder released him. “No man left behind.”
“I noticed the activity and hoped it was you.”
“Where the hell have you been?”
“Hiding in an underground system I found. One step ahead of the demons and their nasty bloodsucking beasts.” He held up his hand. “No offense.”
“None taken. Come, meet Kayla and let’s get back to shelter. Maybe you can fill us in on those bloodsucking beasts.”
Kayla was tucked into the back of the same SUV they had used to travel to New York City. Next to her was Tara, but instead of Jaden in the passenger seat, Gordy had replaced him. The girl next to her absolutely radiated, and Kayla had to keep biting her lip to stop from asking how things had gone. Apparently good since both Gordy and Tara were full of smiles.
Ryder had decided to head out at dawn since they’d been fortunate enough to run into Liam last night. The soldier had once been stationed at Site R and knew quite a bit about the facility. No one knew for certain if they would get inside, but with winter fast approaching, it was worth the risk. Apparently, the place had the capacity to house three thousand people. They didn’t have near that many, but maybe more survivors would be picked up later.
She prayed there were more.
Ryder had confided that once they were secure in their new home, he would be finding out who else had taken ill and survived. There was so much they didn’t understand about the Red Death. As they rolled down the empty city streets, they came across burned vehicles flipped upside down. Storefronts that had obviously been stripped of their goods then torched. She found it odd that there were no bodies like she’d witnessed in her hometown. Had the people gotten out?
The stench of rotting flesh reached her nose, and she almost vomited in her lap. “Ryder?”
“I smell it too.” He shot a glance over at Gordy. “Do you?”
“Nothing,” the vampire responded.
“Tara? What about you?” Ryder asked.
She looked at Kayla. “I don’t smell anything but burnt rubber.”
Well, at least now they had their answer. Looked like only Ryder and she could smell the rogue vampires, but why? Another damn thing that linked the two of them together. Would this nightmare never end?
Ryder clicked his mic. “Be prepared for an attack. I sense rogues.”
Kayla pulled her pistol from the thigh harness and laid it in her lap. There hadn’t been time to train the other women, but she had been able to question them and found a few who already knew how to handle a weapon. Tara had been one and now carried her own handgun.
“Do you even know where the rogue vampires come from?” Kayla asked.
“Not a clue. I only know they’re not like us. Not even like the minions created by the underlings of our species. Liam didn’t seem to know either. Said the bastards just come out of nowhere.”
Kayla shifted in her seat, the smell making her nauseous. “Why even turn them if they come out wrong?” She referred to the minions he spoke of. It seemed cruel to her.
“The other primordials and I have made it a law that it’s no longer allowed. Still, there were those who were turned before we realized what was happening.” He glanced in the mirror. “There are also those who think they are above our laws.”
“It’s human nature. I don’t expect even after being turned, your personality or beliefs would change much.”
“This is true, but it can be a battle to behave now. This is why we make those interested go through a screening process, and even then once turned, they are monitored. The transition for some is easy while others have a more difficult time.”
She caught a flash from the corner of her eye and when she looked out her window, she saw several figures lurking in the shadow of a parking garage. “I think they are getting ready to attack,” she whispered.
Ryder sent out a mental command. They are watching us. Be prepared for anything.
His voice had quieted for only a second when all hell broke loose. Gunfire came at them from the shadows.
“Get down on the floor!” Ryder shouted. Tara obeyed, but Kayla wasn’t about to lay defenseless and get pounded by bullets when she could do some shooting of her own.
Lowering her window, she pointed and fired.
Kayla, damn it, I told you to get down. Ryder slammed into her mind like a bull on crack.
Ow, don’t yell at me.
Then fucking listen!
She fired. You are not the boss of me. Besides, I’m of more use shooting than curling up into a ball. Forget the fact Ryder was immortal. Kayla couldn’t handle the thought of a bullet sinking into his flesh. She would never tell him though. Hell, she was having a hard enough time admitting it to herself.
We will discuss your lack of obedience later. He actually growled at her. She had to remember later when she could get Tara aside to ask if she and Gordy had the same kind of link. There had to be a way to break it because Ryder was going to be a pain in her ass.
An explosion rocked the vehicle and Ryder skirted around a chunk of pavement that had buckled in front of them.
“Son of a bitch. Did these guys take lessons from the bandits?”
Tearing metal followed by a sharp pain radiated through Kayla and she shrieked.
“Kayla? Oh my God, you’re bleeding.” Tara reached for her, but Kayla lost focus on the girl. The last words she heard were Ryder telling her to hang on.
Burning pain shot through Ryder’s gut, and at first, he thought he’d been hit as well. It only took a second to realize the pain belonged to Kayla. Their link––or at least his connection––went deeper than expected.
“Tara, how bad is she?” Looking in the rearview mirror, he saw Kayla’s pale body slumped over in the seat. Fear engulfed him and squeezed the breath from his lungs.
“Her stomach is bleeding. There’s a lot of blood back here.” The panic in Tara’s voice indicated things weren’t good.
Gordy glanced into the back seat then at Ryder. “She looks bad.”
“Fuck!” Ryder gunned the SUV. Maneuvered around obstacles that appeared to have been deliberately left to deter them. Shots fired and grenades launched from the vehicles behind him. He didn’t bother to look back. His only concern was for the stubborn female in the back seat whose life he felt slipping away. Could the woman ever listen to him? She was much like her father he supposed. Determined. Right now, he prayed that determination kept her alive.
Gordy fired out his window, and they took a few more hits. Where the hell were all the bullets coming from? They were sitting ducks out here on the street and, without a direct route to freedom, in serious trouble. Somehow, he had to get them to shelter. He could certainly use a little divine intervention about now, but he doubted Tegan would interfere even if he called for help.
Fuck it.
He’d try anything right now. Tegan! I could use some help down here if you don’t mind.
No response, but did he really expect one? As he sped down the street, he watched in horror as one of the trucks behind him flipped onto its side from an explosion.
“Shit, Ryder they have a bigger advantage,” Gordy shouted. “Tara? You still okay back there?”
“Yes, but Kayla needs medical attention and soon.”
Ryder slammed on his brakes before he plowed into the blonde female standing in front of him. Black wings with flecks of gold dust spread wide and Ryder grinned in relief.
“Who the hell is that?” Gordy asked.
“That, my good man, is the Cavalry.”
“Huh?”
“Ashley, the Angel of Death, has no doubt come to gather her demons. When Lucifer opened the Gate of the Gods, he released every foul demon from a prison called Lulerain.”
“Who’s the guy with her?”
“No idea.” Ryder watched with relief as bullets moved in slow motion then dropped several feet away, never reaching his vehicle or the others. There was some kind of barrier around them, and he was going to take full advantage. Shoving open his door, he rushed to the back seat. The marking on his arm burned as if it were on fire, and he didn’t need to be a genius to realize it meant his mate was near death. He pulled Kayla from Tara’s arms and to his chest. Her skin was pale and her breathing shallow. Why would fate give her to him only to tear her away?
“Kayla?” he whispered, but she didn’t respond. He lifted her shirt to examine the wound. Definitely a bullet hole. He gently flipped her over, looking for an exit and found it. At least it wasn’t still lodged inside her, but that information didn’t help her situation.
Panic shredded him and helplessness gutted him. She needed a doctor. Hell, a fully functioning hospital unless Ashley would save her. He looked up in search of the angel who had the ability to bring death but also give life. Instead he met the dark-haired stranger.
“You might want to give her your blood before it’s too late.”
“Who are you?”
“Logan. I’ve come here to collect these hellions.” Then the man vanished.
Ryder wasn’t about to question the suggestion because right now he would try anything to save the female in his arms. He summoned his fangs, bit his wrist then opened Kayla’s mouth and forced his blood down her throat. As he bled for her, the burning on his arm dulled to a dim throb. Everything around him faded into the background until it was only Kayla and him. It wasn’t until a soft voice pulled him from the moment that he even remembered where they were.
“She will be fine.”
He looked up from the pavement where he clutched Kayla to him and into the green eyes of Ashley. Tegan’s daughter and one of the angels who had helped inoculate him and the other vampires against the Red Death.
“Did your father Tegan send you?”
“Rhea is giving birth right now, so Father is a little busy. I heard your call.”
“Thanks for the thing with the bullets back there.”
She shrugged. “I never did much like rules, and since I’m like my father and carry DNA from both sides, I pretty much do what I want. Besides, I understand what it’s like to find yourself no longer human.”
He’d heard stories of how Ashley had become the Angel of Death. How she had defied Lucifer and refused to take the souls he demanded. The female could also be ruthless when necessary. She was someone you wanted on your side of the fight. He looked back down at Kayla, her skin back to its rosy color, so he released his wrist and allowed his wound to heal.
“Who is this Logan?” He needed to thank the man who had given him the directive on how to save Kayla.
“Lucifer’s son.”
His gaze shot back up. “What?”
“Long story, but he’s nothing like his father. I’m helping him round up the demons who were released from Lulerain. Your rogue vampires are one of Lucifer’s gifts to us.” She rolled her eyes. “The bastard has left them everywhere, and they multiply like rabbits. One bite to a human and they turn into rogue vampires.”
“Wendy,” he whispered. “She was attacked by one yesterday, but she didn’t turn.”
Ashley squatted down, so she was eye level with him. “We have no idea how long it takes. Where is she?”
Before he could answer, Jaden strode forward. “Ryder. We have missing crew.”
Ryder stood and settled Kayla across the seat, taking a moment to look at her wound, which was closing up before his eyes. “Explain.”
“The van carrying eight of the women and two of our men, they are all gone. Vehicle is empty.”
He and Ashley exchanged worried looks. “Was Wendy in that vehicle?” Ryder asked.
“Yeah.”
“We have to assume she turned and took them with her,” Ashley said.
“Wait.” Ryder scrubbed his face. “But if she just changed, then how did she take down seven women and two of my men?”
“We discovered that these rogues have the ability to open portals. They probably popped in to retrieve Wendy, discovered the rest of your crew, and took them all. Their main goal seems to be to grow their numbers.” Ashley snapped her wings to her back, and they disappeared. “Don’t underestimate them, Ryder.”
“It was the truck that was overturned,” Jaden added. If no one was left in the truck, then they were all possibly alive.
Ashley must have read his mind. “Even the dead are taken. They will still drain their blood if the death was recent. And horror of all horrors, bring them back to life as one of them.”
“How is anyone supposed to stop Lucifer’s nonsense?”
“Logan has no love for his father. I believe he will find Lucifer, but the question is who will win that fight?” Ashley sighed. “On another note, you haven’t by chance been in contact with Arsenia, have you? Logan is looking for her as well.”
“No and I don’t expect to. Last I saw her, she was running scared.” He glanced back at Kayla still out cold in the back seat.
“You should get back to your mate. If you do see Arsenia or sense where she is, please let me know,” Ashley said then grinned at him.
“Why the evil grin?”
“Something tells me she is going to bring you to your knees.”
She had no idea how accurate her statement was. “I think fate should mind its own fucking business and let nature takes its own course.”
“Perhaps but the world is changing, and sometimes fate knows better than we who our soul mate is.” With that she faded away and Ryder was left to figure out what to do next.