Kayla looked back into the blue eyes of another predator. Now she understood why he smelled like Ryder. They both had the same maker. Decker was one of the primordials, one of the first vampires created by Arsenia. Power rippled off him that matched Ryder's, maybe even a bit more raw.
“Kitten, Decker here was Arsenia’s first if I understand things correctly,” Ryder said.
“That would be right, but it looks like we have time for stories later. Our shelter isn’t far from here.”
Ryder gave a nod. “This here is Gordy, but I also have men waiting in the cave.” Ryder looked up at the sun. “I’ll have them wait there to keep it secure. We have no idea if any of the rogues will return to this area.”
Decker offered his hand to Gordy. “Nice to meet you.” His lip curled. “Those bastards, they got one of my females before I could tear his head off. They seem to be hunting us. Keep showing up and forcing us to fight in the daylight. Apparently, they’ve figured out we can’t take sun exposure.”
Ryder tensed next to Kayla. “We need to move you to our compound. It will provide better protection and add to our numbers. Those fuckers popped in mid-air, but we managed to take them down without incident.”
Kayla swore there was a twinkle in Decker’s eyes. “I like that idea. I need to get the women out of here before the winter sets in. We can’t get far with this sun thing.” He snarled. “I wish I knew what was up with that.”
“A new strain of the plague,” Ryder answered.
“Damn. Well, let’s head out and come up with a plan to get us the hell out of here.”
Ryder spoke into his mic, letting the others know what the plan was before Decker led them away. The hike was only a little more than twenty minutes, and they were ushered into a small camp. As Kayla scanned the area, she spotted a decent size log home on the edge of a lake and a smaller cabin several yards away.
“Looks like you found a nice place,” she said.
“We were lucky to run across this place, but our rations are getting low and we are out of fuel for the vehicles. I cannot tell you how timely your arrival is.” He looked to the bigger home. “I didn’t know how much longer I could keep the humans alive and my own men." He shook his head. “This shit with the sun has really fucked things up.”
“I know how you feel,” Ryder said. “We have plenty of room, and the place has rations for at least three thousand. We shouldn’t have any problem making the winter. That gives us time to figure out what to do once spring arrives.”
Decker led them to the larger house. Once inside, he made quick introductions then told one of his men to round everyone up as he had news. Kayla walked around the expansive living room. It was as beautiful inside as out with honey wood floors and heavy beams overhead. So sad that the owners were probably dead from the plague.
“So, if you two never met in person, how did you know about each other?” Kayla faced Ryder. He’d never really shared the full story on the primordials.
Decker hiked a shoulder. “Hard to explain really. We can sense each other, like twins or something. I knew there were others out there so I put out the word and the others contacted me.”
“So, you guys can’t use telepathy like you do with your own people?” That would have made things much handier for Ryder, she was certain.
Ryder piped up. “We tried, but it never worked. No idea why.”
“Have you tried now?” Everyone looked at Gordy. “Maybe this shit has a range?”
“I never thought of that,” Decker said, and then his brows furrowed. “I’m getting nothing.”
“Me neither.” Ryder looked as frustrated as Decker.
Kayla looked between the two imposing vampires. “Maybe you need to exchange blood.”
Both men wrinkled their noses.
“Oh seriously?” What a couple of babies.
“I do sense your presence, perhaps that would finish a bond between us.” Decker whipped off his coat, rolled up his sleeve and bit his wrist, then held it out to Ryder. Kayla had to admire Ryder as he didn’t hesitate. Stepping forward, he latched on and took a couple of pulls before stepping back and biting his own wrist, offering it to Decker. After their little ritual was completed, Kayla chewed her lip in anticipation as the two men stared at each other.
“Well?” When they both began to grin, she knew it must have worked.
“I’ll be damned. This could be a game changer for us. Now, if only we could connect with the others,” Decker said.
Ryder’s grin widened. “We’ll work on that later. For once I feel as if we might be figuring this shit out.”
Decker got his people together and after quick introductions to Ryder, Kayla and Gordy, he informed them to pack up anything they could as they were leaving. Everyone ran off, including Kayla and Gordy to help. They were not gone more than two minutes when Ryder’s neck hair straightened. He pulled out his blade right as Decker shouted.
“Rogue!”
Four of the bastards popped into the living room, but between Ryder and Decker they dispatched them quickly. Ryder sent a mental message to Ace and Brandon still back at the cave.
You guys okay out there?
Fucking ducky. Ace responded. You?
We got rogues.
I‘m really starting to hate those fuckers. Brandon interjected.
Kayla came running into the room with a group of women behind her, panic in her eyes. “I took two out upstairs. We need to get them out of here like now.”
Ryder couldn’t agree more, but he also feared the trek back to the cave would put them all in danger.
“I have an idea. I want to see if I can open a portal back to the compound from here. At least get the women out of here.”
God, he loved this woman. Brave, brilliant, and sexy as hell standing there wearing jeans and a tactical vest. Hell, this female would be sexy wearing a burlap sack. “Do it. We’ll cover you but hurry.” The sound of fighting upstairs meant rogues could show up in the room at any second.
Kayla’s gaze narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line, and seconds later, power filled the room along with a swirling black hole. She looked at him, her mouth turned into a grin. “Looks like I just learned something new.”
Ryder got closer, not sure if his idea would work, but anything was worth a shot. He opened his mind and channeled his thoughts into the black hole.
Jaden, can you hear me?
Crystal clear.
Ryder actually looked up and whispered a thank you. Was shit finally going his way? Kayla has a portal open and is sending women through. We are fighting rogues at the moment and need them safe.
Got it.
“I was able to––”
“I know, I heard.” Kayla turned to the women flooding the room. “Someone on the other side will help you. I promise it’s safe,” Kayla assured and the first female stepped into the darkness. The others looked hesitant but as the fighting progressed down the stairs, Decker shouted at them.
“Go, it’s your only chance at safety.”
The women moved quickly, giving Ryder relief and the freedom to step away and fight. As soon as the portal snapped shut, Kayla shifted into her cat and moved in next to him as several rogues descended.
Decker whistled. “Now, that’s damn impressive.”
“Wait till you see her rip off one of their heads. My mate can take care of herself.” Even though he said the words and had watched her in action, his instinct was to shove her out of danger's way. Tell her to flee with the others but he knew she would never abandon him. Just as he would never leave her to fight alone. They were now more than a team. The universe had intertwined their souls.
They were met head-on with a wall of gnashing fangs as several rogues descended. Ryder kept his link to the others back in the cave open in case they ran into trouble. Meantime, he lashed out with his blade, cutting a rogue closest to him while Kayla became a blur of black fur as she went straight for the throat. With one down, Ryder latched onto another that came at him and ripped a gaping wound in its neck. With swift movements, he finished taking its head off and tossed it across the room. It wasn’t long before the room filled with rogue vampires, and they were quickly overtaken.
“Shit, we need to get out of here. They’re like fucking rabbits!” Gordy yelled.
Ryder couldn’t agree more and slipped into Kayla’s mind. Kitten, can you get back to the compound and grab some firepower? The idea should have come to him sooner, but he was a little occupied. A swirl of power he hoped was hers, and not more rogues dropping in on them, snapped in the air, and then Jaden stepped out of the blackness all fire and fury. Ryder would have to remember to kiss that vampire later because Jaden was busy blasting the rogue with a flamethrower. In seconds, the room was filled with smoke while furniture exploded into a fiery blaze.
“Get your men out.” Ryder coughed as Decker was already commanding them to the portal. Jaden moved aside and scorched any rogue that dared enter the room while the men raced through the portal. Once everyone was evacuated, Decker, Ryder, Kayla, and Jaden jumped through right as the entire room exploded into flames. They all landed with a hard thud onto the concrete floor inside the compound where there was a whirl of activity.
Ryder jumped to his feet. “We still have men in the cave,” Ryder shouted and Kayla shifted, her nakedness in full view of every man there. Ryder removed off his jacket and covered her.
“You really need to stop showing yourself before I have to kill every man here,” he whispered.
“Sorry, but I’m feeling weak.”
Concern filled every pore as he looked her over for injuries. “Kitten, what’s wrong? Are you injured?”
“No, I’m just not sure I can open another portal.”
Kayla’s muscles ached, and all she wanted was a nap, but Ace and Brandon were trapped in the cave. She would not abandon them.
“Maybe you need to feed.” Ryder pushed her away from the others as he barked out orders. Once they were around the corner, he pulled her close and turned his head. “Feed.”
She licked her lips as her fangs dropped into place. Kissing his neck, the desire to linger overwhelmed her, but there wasn’t time for carnal pleasures so she bit. Rich blood with hints of vanilla and caramel and a tinge of spice filled her mouth. She took several mouthfuls then pulled back, licking his wound.
“Later you can meet me in the shower, now go get our men.”
She closed her eyes and concentrated. Power filled her and the air stirred, opening a portal. Ryder was quick to step in, and seconds later, he was back with Ace and Brandon. She let the opening slam shut, sparks flying across the air as the power dissipated. Last thing she recalled was wobbling on her feet and Ryder there to scoop her up as her lids fell over her eyes.
When Kayla came to, she was in bed with the covers pulled to her chin. A fire burned in the gas fireplace on the other side of the room. The mattress felt so comfy, she didn’t ever want to get out. However, Ryder wasn’t in bed with her. She sat up, knowing he was close and discovered him in a chair staring at her.
“What happened?”
“You pretty much crashed. I guess all the portals and shifting took a toll on your body. You’ve been asleep for twenty-four hours.” He rose and strode to the bed.
“Wow. I do feel much better. I hope that’s not going to happen all the time.”
“I’m guessing you simply need time to acclimate. I know when I went through my changes, it took awhile for me to come to full strength. A lot has happened to you in a short time.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Did everyone make it through?”
“Yes. All settled in and Decker has even taken to carrying Faith around.” He chuckled. “It’s quite the sight.”
She smiled, imagining the big vampire with the small baby.
“What happens now?”
“Now we settle in for the winter. New cameras were installed while we were gone.” He reached for something on the nightstand, a small handheld device that looked like a cell phone. He pushed a button, and the screen came to life showing heavy snow falling outside. “We found these devices that monitor the cameras and all the alarms. Ace and Decker are working on a system to detect incoming rogues.”
“Sounds like things are coming together.”
He grinned and setting the unit back on the table, he pushed her to her back. His enormous body caging her to the bed. “Everyone is asleep for the most part except those on patrol.”
She pressed both hands against his chest. His heartbeat under her right palm matched her own. “Whatever shall we do?”
“I intend to keep you in bed. After all, you need the rest.”
She mocked a pout. “And here I thought you wanted my body.”
His pupils dilated. “I never said I wouldn’t be pleasuring you while here.” He dipped in and claimed her mouth. His tongue swept across hers as he pressed his erection into her belly. Nipping her lip, he broke the kiss and gazed into her eyes.
“What’s bothering you?” She knew a storm of emotions brewed inside him, even though he tried to hide them from her.
“I don’t know what our future holds, but I know I love you and I will fight for our survival. Never give up on me, Kayla.”
Emotions welled up inside her. “I love you too. We will overcome no matter what is thrown at us.” Then she kissed him. Ran her hands down his chest until she reached the button on his jeans. They had a lengthy road ahead of them. Winter would be long, and with the threat of rogues looming over them every second, there would be no rest. No one knew what more Morbus would bring, but she was going to live each moment as if it were her last. She was going to give every ounce of herself to the vampire who had become her entire life. It was time to push memories of what used to be aside and fight for what was to come.