| |
Going downstairs without North was the last thing she wanted to do. It was cold, dark, and there were vampires lurking in the lodge, but after twenty minutes, her restless nature got the better of her. She tossed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
The icy air needled her skin, sending a shiver up her spine. With lightning speed, she dressed in the clothes North had tossed at her, but now that they’d been without heat for hours, they weren’t enough. She rummaged in his closet, choosing a pair of long johns and a long-sleeved T-shirt to layer under her sweatshirt. She slid her feet into his oversized slippers and shuffled across the bedroom and out into the hallway.
Male voices wafted up the stairs as she descended. Though she couldn’t make out what they were saying, they sounded heated. When the step creaked beneath her weight, they stopped. She continued down, pretending she hadn’t heard them.
Oliver and Vladimir stood in the center of the dining room, their intense stares on her as she entered. “Morning.”
“Good morning,” they said in unison.
“Did you sleep well?” Oliver asked.
“Well enough.” She grabbed the red checked blanket off the sofa and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Did you...” She paused, cocking her head. “Do you sleep at night?”
“We rest.” His smile appeared genuine and non-threatening, which she took as a very good thing. “Because the sun rises so late in Alaska, we don’t need much rest during the daylight hours.”
“So, you’ll be needing a nap later today?”
His smile widened. “Yes, we will need a nap. Are you interested in joining me?”
She huffed out a shocked laugh. “Thanks, but I’m taken.”
Oliver nodded. “I thought as much. He’s a fortunate man.”
“Thanks.” Her gaze drifted to Vladimir, and a shiver of warning raced up her spine. Inside, her wolf roused, going on alert. The guy was creepy with a capital WTF.
Lines pulled at the outer corners of his eyes as his stare focused on her. “You are his bonded mate?”
“Yeah. So?”
“This is a new development, I think.” He tilted his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes?”
Though she couldn’t figure out why it would matter, her answer seemed to be important to him. “North and I have been together since we were kids.”
“But not mated.” It was a statement more than an answer.
“It was only a matter of time,” she said, feeling like a cornered rat and a bit of a liar. She’d been clueless about their connection but revealing that to Vlad would definitely be a bad move. “Fate.”
“Fate.” He held his arms wide. “That is a big claim. It would mean your relationship with him was out of your control.”
Her brow furrowed. “What’s your point?”
“You don’t strike me as the type of woman who leaves things up to fate. I pinned you as someone more independent. Someone who follows her own destiny.”
“Really?” Though she knew he was baiting her, she rose to his challenge. As the daughter of an Alpha, she couldn’t stand being called a follower. Leading ran in her veins. “After all the time we’ve spent together. What has it been, twelve hours, most of which were spent sleeping, that’s how I strike you? Shocker.”
“Sarcasm, the simple mind’s defense against reality.”
She took a step toward him, squaring up. Inside, her wolf growled and paced. The animal didn’t like this vampire any more than Skye did. If Vlad wasn’t careful, he’d find himself on the pointy end of her paws. “Did you just call me stupid?”
“No, he didn’t.” Oliver stepped between them and glared at his companion. “Back off.”
Vladimir’s gaze remained locked with Skye’s. Despite the adrenaline and healthy amount of fear coursing through her, she held her ground. Leaning forward, he inhaled, his lids gliding closed. “I can smell your unease.” His eyes opened. The black pupils nearly consumed his irises, reminding her of a demon. He smiled. “Did you know humans take on a heady smell when their afraid? Shifters even more so. That’s when they taste the best.”
She swallowed hard, willing her heartbeat to slow. He was more than goading her. He was threatening her, trying to make her afraid. If she was being honest, his tactics were working. “Fascinating and completely gross,” she said, trying to sound as unaffected as possible.
“That depends on your point of view.”
The grin she gave him held no humor. “Well, your point of view will be from between my wolf’s jaws if you try anything.”
“He will not try anything.” Oliver’s words pulsed with warning. “Isn’t that right, Vladimir?”
Skye forced herself to not break eye contact with Vladimir. Inside, her wolf stood silent and focused on the vampire, ready to spring forward at the slightest hint of danger. This was a standoff. He was trying to intimidate and cower her. He’d be disappointed.
After several tense seconds, he finally gave. A smile kicked up the corner of his mouth, and he shook his head. The tension eased from him, his shoulders relaxing, and he straightened. “I wouldn’t think of insulting our hosts by taking their blood without permission.”
Though he’d broke first, his statement wasn’t exactly one of compliance. Now more than ever, she didn’t trust him. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he’d attacked North. How Vladimir had slipped out of the lodge, she didn’t know, but every instinct in her body told her that the vampire was capable of far more than illicit feeding.
“Morning.”
Skye pulled her gaze away from Vladimir to greet Priscilla. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”
“As well as could be expected.” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “Any idea when the generators will be fixed.”
“He’s out there now, so hopefully, not too long.” As if hearing her answer, the lights flickered a couple of times and flared to life. “Ask and ye shall receive.”
“Thank heavens.” Priscilla blew into her hands and rubbed.
Skye walked to the thermostat and cranked it to the highest setting. The heater running along two walls of the room crackled and popped. “I love that sound.”
“Me too,” Priscilla said. Her stomach gave a growl of protest. “Is anybody else hungry?”
Skye’s gaze cut to Vladimir and narrowed. He cocked an eyebrow in response. “Starving.” She pulled her eyes from the vampire and gave Priscilla wide grin. “How does pancakes sound.”
“Like the best thing in the world.” The shifter followed her into the kitchen. “My mom has a sourdough starter that’s over a hundred years old. She got it from her great aunt. It makes the best pancakes.”
“My grandma has the same thing.” Skye spun toward Priscilla and pursed her lips. “I never believed it was that old, but...” She shrugged. “Maybe it is.”
“I hear ya. My family spins a lot of tales that sound farfetched. I never know what to believe.”
“Most of it was probably told to scare us when we were kids.” Leaning to the side, Skye checked the location of the vampires. Seeing that the room was empty, she looked at Priscilla and lowered her voice. “Hey, just a word of warning, don’t be alone with that Vlad guy if you can help it. I don’t trust him.”
Priscilla grimaced. “Right? The guy gives off seriously bad vibes.”
“I don’t know what the vampires’ business was in town and out here in Copper Center, but my gut tells me it has to do with him.”
“I agree.” She was silent for a couple of seconds and then gave Skye a sheepish grin. “What do you think of Oliver?”
“Well, let’s just say I think my panties exploded into flames when he first walked in.”
“So, I’m not the only one?”
“Definitely not.”
In a dramatic display, Priscilla picked up a stained menu and fanned herself. “My brothers would kill me if they knew I lusted for a vampire but...” Her actions grew more violent. “He smells so good. It makes me want to get as close as possible and inhale. I almost can’t stop myself.”
A warning bell clanged inside Skye. “You mean, like you’re being compulsed?”
Her blue eyes rounded, the meaning of Skye’s question registering. “You don’t think he’s doing that on purpose, do you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Oliver had certainly ramped up the allure when he’d first arrived. Now that she’d been mated with North, had he turned his attention to Priscilla? “Just be careful. Stay close to your brothers or North and I. On the surface the vampires seem okay.” She grimaced. “Except for Vlad. He’s a complete tool. Even though the others act friendly, it might just be an act.”
“Good point.” Her mouth pulled into a frown. “Every time I have contact with a living breathing man that I’m not related to something always happens.” She sighed. “At this rate, I’ll never find my mate.”
A snort of laughter barked from Skye. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Priscilla’s brows pinched together. “But aren’t you and North bonded mates?”
“Yeah.” She lifted her arm and tapped her watch. “For about twenty-four hours now. Before that, we couldn’t stand each other.”
“Wow, be careful what you wish for indeed.”
“Right?” Skye shook her head. “So, you never know when or who you’ll end up with.”
“Well? How is it between you now?”
“Fantastic. Great. Unbelievable considering how I despised him.” She laughed. “When you find your mate, you’ll know it.” The back door in the storage room opened, letting in a gust of icy wind and snow. “Speak of the devil.”
A few seconds later, North strolled into the kitchen. “All fixed. If nobody else messes with the generators, we should be warm again in an hour or so.”
“Great. Priscilla and I are going to make breakfast for all of us food eaters.” She unhooked a skillet from the pot rack hanging over the counter and set it on the giant stove top. “How do pancakes and bacon sound?”
“Like the best thing in the world.” North slid his arm around her waist, tugged her against him, and kissed her cheek. “Your domestic skills are turning me on.”
“Wait until you see what I do with a pound of hamburger.”
He laughed and released her, turning to Priscilla. “Are your brothers up?”
Heavy footsteps clomping down the stairs thudded from the other room. She cocked her head and held up a finger, pointing to the ceiling. “I’d say that’s a definite yes.”
“It’s still blowing like a bitch out there, but the snow has eased up. I’d like to get the parking lot and the road up to the Richardson plowed. You know...in case anybody wants to leave. I was hoping they could help.”
“If it involves plowing, digging, shooting or drinking, they’ll help.”
“I’ll go talk to them,” North said, striding from the room.
“And I’ll put on the coffee,” Priscilla replied. “I think we’re all going to need it.”
Forty-five minutes later a feast fit for a king was laid out on the kitchen counter. At first, Skye thought they’d been overzealous with the amount of food they’d made, but when Tobias and Samuel loaded their plates, her worries turned to not having made enough. With plates stacked high with pancakes and strips of bacon, the men tucked into one of the tables in the dining room. Sabina and Aisling entered as they were sitting down to eat.
“Smells delicious,” Aisling said. She inhaled again. “Sometimes I really miss gorging myself on food.”
“I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t binge on cookie dough ice cream and pizza,” Priscilla said, taking a seat next to Tobias.
“It’s not so bad once you accept being a vampire,” Oliver said.
Skye jabbed at her pancake, locking eyes with Priscilla. “We’ll have to take your word for it.”
Priscilla gave Oliver a warm smile before addressing Aisling. “We made a ton if you want to try some.”
“Maybe I will have just a nibble. Do you want some?”” she asked Sabina.
“No, thank you.” Sabina ran a hand down Aisling’s arm. “I’m good.”
Clearly, the two women were in love. Watching them now, it was hard to imagine them as bloodthirsty monsters. Vlad was another story altogether. He stood by the window, arms crossed, frowning into the darkness. What was he thinking? As if sensing her focus on him, he turned and looked at her.
She glanced away, not wanting to fall into another staring match with him. Despite not eating, Sabina and Oliver joined them at the table. Their conversation started on how much Aisling was enjoying her single pancake, but eventually shifted to the weather. Coffee cups were refilled, and the room fell into a comfortable flow. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves, except for Vladimir. He remained separate from the rest of them, his mood seemingly growing sour. Skye ignored him. As long as he stayed away from her and the other shifters, he could be as salty as he wanted.
When breakfast finally ended, North, Tobias and Samuel headed outside. Sabina and Aisling disappeared upstairs to rest, but Vladimir remained downstairs, keeping his spot near the window. Oliver took a seat on the couch. As she stacked the plates, her gaze darted between the two vampires. For several long and heated seconds, they stared at each other. Though she couldn’t be sure, she suspected Oliver had appointed himself as watchdog over Vlad. Fine with her, as long as somebody kept him in check.
“It’s finally warm in here,” Priscilla said as she ran a sink full of hot sudsy water. “I can finish the kitchen if you want to go take a shower.”
“No thanks.” After last night’s love making session, a hot shower would be heaven. “I’ll take one when we’re done.”
“Seriously.” Priscilla took the stack of plates from Skye. “I don’t mind at all. It will make me feel useful.”
“That doesn’t seem very fair.”
“It will keep me occupied.” She dropped a handful of forks into the water. “Don’t tell my brothers, but I kind of like handwashing dishes.”
Skye shook her head. “Freak.”
“I know, right?” With bubble coated hands, she shooed Skye toward the door. “Now go and enjoy.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at the shifter. “We should hang out sometime. You know, after all this.”
“Yeah, that would be fun.”
With a spring in her step, she headed upstairs. As she passed through the dining room, she noticed both Vlad and Oliver were gone. With the approach of sunrise, they’d probably headed upstairs for their nap. A wave of relief settled over her. At least they’d have a few hours when they didn’t have to worry about Vladimir.
The warm water poured over her, chasing away the last of her chill. No doubt, everybody else would want a shower too. That was the only reason she didn’t stay under the spray and use all the hot water. After dressing, she wandered back downstairs and over to the front window. A sliver of pink glowed in a faint line just above the hills. It would get a little lighter but not much.
Most of the parking lot had been cleared, and she could see North’s hunched figure digging out Sabina’s car. She smiled. The guy wasn’t afraid of hard work. She’d give him that. Her heart swelled as she watched him. The fact that he was her mate still boggled her mind. Shaking her head, she turned away before he caught her gawking at him. It was one thing to accept being his mate, it was another to act like a lovesick pup.
Intent on letting Priscilla know the shower was free, she strode into the kitchen. The room was immaculate—well, as immaculate as it could be considering the renovations and the three men who used it. The kitchen was also empty. Maybe Priscilla had gone upstairs.
As Skye turned to leave, a faint noise that sounded like a moan issued from the storage room. She turned back and edged toward the door. Suddenly alert, her wolf stood. The animal’s senses flowed through Skye, and her hearing piqued. Again, the sound drifted from beyond her sight, this time sounding more like a feminine whimper. Priscilla?
She stepped into the opening and froze. Oliver stood hunched over Priscilla. From where Skye was standing, it looked as if he had his mouth buried against her neck. Panic shot through her. Had she been wrong? Had it been Oliver and not Vladimir who had attacked North.
Her fear morphed to anger, and with barely a thought, she released her wolf. Blond fur sprung from her skin as her limbs narrowed and bent. A snarl tore from her elongating jaw, and even before she’d fully transformed, she launched herself at the vampire.
Her body soared through the air, her sharp canines ready to tear out the vampire’s throat if he hurt her friend. But when she was mere inches away, he spun and caught her around the neck. She jerked to a hard stop. He held her at arm’s length, and with no ground to get her footing, her body hung helpless.
She snapped, her jaws clacking, but couldn’t reach his arm.
“Oh my God! Skye, no!” Priscilla moved from in front of Oliver and laid her hand on his arm. “Put her down.”
His hazel gaze leveled on her for a few seconds, softening, before looking back at Skye. “I will if she shifts back.”
Before she could react, North burst into the room, a feral cry tearing from his throat. Things were about to get ugly.