Kayla hung back, her mind still in a whirl over everything that had transpired. When she spotted that rogue dropping from the portal, all her mind could think of was protect. She thought of baby Faith and one of those creatures getting hold of her. Images of Ryder having his throat ripped open by one of them had undone her. Not when she was capable––now more than competent—to do her fair share. She watched him as he and Ace started up the equipment to begin a radio transmission. Ryder recorded his message, telling anyone out there where they were and to come for shelter. The recording would play on a loop so they didn’t have to worry about someone missing the message. Everyone in the compound would take rotations to monitor any incoming messages. This was their home now, and everyone had to step up in order to survive.
She moved her gaze to the monitors that showed the outside world, but they were black. The rogues had taken them out. Even though Ethan said there were spares, at the moment, Ryder was loath to send anyone outside. Their connection to what was going on out there gone until he decided otherwise. Feelings of claustrophobia from being cut off from the outside crawled across her skin. So did an itch to run and hunt and she assumed this was another aspect of her change. The cat that was now part of her wanted to prowl.
“You feeling okay, kitten?” Ryder pulled her from her thoughts.
“Yeah. Just lots of things to absorb.”
“We’re done here. How about we go get cleaned up, then we can meet with the others and figure out our next plan of action?”
“I like that.”
The two of them left Ace on the first watch, listening for any reply to Ryder’s broadcast. When they reached their room, both stripped on their way to the shower. They would burn their bloody clothes later. Under the hot spray of water, Kayla was finally able to relax. Tension rolled off her shoulders and down the drain. She focused on Ryder, who stood under a spray of water across from her. Her gaze followed the droplets over the peaks and valleys of muscle on his chest. Down his stomach and to a thick full erection.
“See what you do to me?” He grinned.
“Need help with that?” She couldn’t stop her own smile.
“I see the hunger in your eyes.” He stepped closer.
Her body heated.
Pushing her back into the cool tile, he bent and ran his tongue across a nipple. She hissed, her breasts aching and her sex on fire. Would she ever get enough of this man? The answer was likely no.
Ryder knelt and positioned her left leg over his shoulder. His breath across her sensitive flesh had her digging her fingers into his hair and giving a tug. He took the hint and made one swipe with his tongue from her core to her clit.
“More,” she moaned.
“Demanding kitten.” He chuckled.
“Because you’re a tease.”
“I love teasing you.” He looked up at her, and in that moment, realization struck. She dropped to the floor, cupped his face, and kissed him. Claimed his mouth with more passion than she even knew she had. When she reluctantly ended the kiss, he looked at her.
“What was that for?” Apparently, he noticed the emotion behind it.
She swallowed. “I realized something.” They both stared at each other while the water sluiced down their bodies.
“What did you realize?” he whispered.
“That I love you.” She held her breath, afraid of rejection, but she had to let him know how she felt. If something happened to her, he needed to know her feelings.
He dropped his forehead to hers, his lips touching her own. “Damn, I love you too.” He peppered her with kisses. “And I’m not sorry one bit that we are together. I think fate got us right.”
Finally, she was able to release her breath. “I was worried you didn’t feel the same.”
“I’d marry you right this second if we had a church and a priest.”
She let out a laugh. “That’s so sweet, but I don’t need either. I’m just happy you belong to me. Maybe when things settle for everyone, we can see if there is someone here to marry us.”
“Consider it a date.” He growled then pulled her into his lap. Poised over his erection, she slid down his thickness and took all of him inside. They rocked in unison, taking each other to heights never before reached, and it was the first time since they had come together that they took their lovemaking slow.
Ryder stood with Ace, Brandon, and Gordy while they waited for Kayla to join them. Everyone was weighed down with firepower, ammo, and the sharpest blades they owned. They planned to scout out the cave Kayla found and see where it led. No one was certain if she would be able to transport all of them, but she could always come back for the others.
“Do you suppose we’ll end up in Hell?” Ace asked.
“No idea. Didn’t seem like Hell but then again, what do I know?” Ryder replied. Seemed like a normal cave to him, but what was normal anymore?
“Sorry I’m late.” Kayla rushed up. “Jaden stopped me with a message for you.” She handed Ryder a piece of paper. He took it and unfolded it.
“What now?” Gordy inquired.
“It’s from Wolfe.” Ryder had sent word to the other primordials about the conversation with Ashley. About the new strain of plague. “He says his men started showing signs of sun sensitivity. Everyone is safe, and one of them now has a mating mark like ours.” He shoved the paper in his pocket. “Well, at least we know mating protects us from the sun. For the moment anyway.”
“This concerns me. I mean, do you think the men will try to force mating?” Kayla brushed a lock of hair from her eyes.
“Never on my watch. Everyone knows it means death, and I will make sure anyone new coming in knows this as well. My men agree with me.”
“I’ll take their head off and not ask questions later.” Ace growled. That vampire was as much against violence toward women as Ryder. They had seen way too much of it while on mission. If any man in his company dared violate a female, there wouldn’t be one man from his Seal team that would show mercy. It was another reason Ryder chose them. He knew this life was going to be a rough one. Women were always on the shit side when the world went to hell, but not while he drew breath.
“You guys are awesome.” Kayla smiled. “Shall we give this a whirl?”
“How do you want to do it?” Ryder asked, slipping his arm around her waist.
“Maybe if everyone is touching, it might work?”
Brandon rolled his hazel eyes. “I can think of much nicer things to touch.” Brandon aimed that comment at Ace, who simply placed his big hand over his heart.
“I’m crushed.”
Kayla sighed. “Can you big lugs behave so we can get going?” Her grin indicated she was playing with the guys. He was glad they all seemed to get along. It was going to be a long winter stuck inside this compound.
Everyone settled down and surprisingly, Kayla was able to transport the entire crew at one time. They arrived in the same location as before, and Ryder didn’t detect any living souls other than those with him.
“We need to check that passage over there?” He pointed to the other side of the room and everyone fell into line. Ryder took the front with Kayla behind him then Gordy, Brandon, and Ace at the rear. The passage was narrow, and in a few places, he wasn’t sure he would fit.
“Damn, it’s a tight squeeze,” Ace mumbled.
“Lose some weight,” Brandon ribbed him.
“Up yours, I’m in prime condition to beat your ass.”
“Whatever,” Brandon shot back.
Moments later, the passage opened up and daylight loomed ahead. “Okay, you guys are going to have to stay in here except for Gordy. We’ll scout the outside.”
“Fine, I have no desire to sear my flesh again. That fucking smarted.” Ace took up a position just inside the opening and pulled a stick of gum from his tactical vest.
“You know that shit’s bad for your fangs,” Gordy said, grin a mile wide.
“Just go do your shit,” Ace shot back.
Ryder stepped out first, hugging the rock face of the cave. He inhaled. “I scent the rogues, but it’s old. Kitten?”
“Yep. I’d say none have been here recently.”
“We move out then,” Ryder commanded. The three of them fanned out and soon found themselves on a rocky terrain with a dusting of snow. A brisk wind blew down the back of Ryder’s neck, and he quickly looked to Kayla who wore a light jacket. “You cold?”
“Nope. I think my body temperature increased when I survived the Red Death and has gone up several more degrees since I changed.”
He only gave a nod, the scent of vampire catching his attention. He motioned for Kayla to move closer to him as he slipped behind a tree. The smell was familiar to him, yet he had no idea who it belonged to. It wasn’t rogue though.
Kayla lifted her nose. “Ryder, I smell someone and they smell a lot like you,” she whispered. Suddenly, a figure stepped under a nearby tree, wearing dark jeans and a hooded jacket. Ryder aimed his pistol.
“Who are you?” He felt like he should know this person. The intruder wasn’t human but also not rogue.
“Ryder, how the hell did you get here?”
That voice. “Decker?”
“It’s me. I sensed an enormous flux of power and came to check it out. Then I realized I scented someone familiar and thought it was Arsenia.”
“Shit, that means we landed in North Dakota. At least that was where you were last when we spoke.” He finally lowered his weapon.
“Right. So, again how the fuck did you get here from Site R?” Decker started to move closer, keeping to the shadows of the trees. Thankfully, the sun was behind a cloud, which offered more cover. When the vampire finally reached them, he stuck out a gloved hand. Ryder accepted, and they shook.
“This is my mate, Kayla.” He pulled her to his side. “She’s the one responsible for getting us here. Seems since she became a shifter, she can also open portals. It’s a rather long story.”
Decker tipped his head. “Kayla, pleasure to meet you.”