Marked (20 page)

Zane’s hands shook with the need to hit Talen again. “You set this up to
test me
? The full contingent of soldiers, all of the helicopters?”

Talen lifted a massive shoulder. “We had to know we could trust you.”

Oh, Zane just might throw the asshole out of the helicopter. The bastard would probably bounce on the ground and then laugh. “So I passed?”

“Well, you didn’t fail.” Talen crossed his arms.

Asshole. “How did you know the placements of the land mines?” Zane asked.

“Infrared and some damn good satellite technology.” Dage turned back toward the billowing storm outside the window.

Zane shook his head. “Still. Suiting up so many soldiers for one test is crazy.”

Talen’s grin flashed hard and dangerous. “Who said we suited up for just a test? Now, we fight.”

The cliffs of Baffin Island rose from the depths of a cold and merciless sea as the sky began to lighten outside. The Kurjan headquarters for so many years. Zane had spent the journey to Canada deciding to refrain from killing Talen and Dage for the dangerous test in California. Trust had to be earned, and he couldn’t blame them too much. Plus, if he killed Janie’s family, she’d be seriously pissed.

So the vampires lived for now.

He glanced down. “Our only chance is a full out assault.”

“Then get ready for full out,” Talen said. “I’m done playing with the Kurjans, and it’s time we took Kalin.”

Dage nodded and tapped an ear communicator. “Orders remain at level ten. Kill on sight any Kurjan except for Kalin, who’s to be taken alive. His second in command, his cousin Dayne, is also to be taken if possible. Leave Kurjan mates alone unless you need to defend yourselves. Even then, kill as a last resort.”

“What’s the Intel on personnel here?” Zane asked, sliding open the door. Wind rushed him, and he steadied his legs.

“Armed and protected, but Kurjan soldiers are spread around the world fighting right now, just like us,” Talen said, strapping another knife to his hip. He tapped his ear. “Fire.”

Two helicopters shot missiles into the cliffs, and rocks exploded out in a glorious display of flames and shooting stones.

“Now,” Talen ordered.

Zane jumped from the helicopter and hit hard rock. Heat blasted into him from the fires. All feeling, all sensation, he shoved into nowhere to deal with later. Now was for war. He pointed to an opening blown into the rock. “We go there.”

Talen nodded and signaled for troops. “The soldiers dropped into the sea should be at destination.” He paused and put a hand on Zane’s shoulder as soldiers dropped to the ground all around them. “You’ve been in combat before?”

Humor tickled Zane’s lips, but he remained stoic. “For a decade.”

“A whole decade?” Talen asked, sarcasm evident in the low tone.

“Not all of us are ancient,” Zane returned, adrenaline flooding his veins. His body hadn’t recuperated fully, but his mind was ready to go. “I can fight. Don’t worry.”

Talen cocked his weapon. “Just don’t die.” He whistled and gave an attack signal before turning to run full bore for the opening.

“Don’t plan on it,” Zane said, ducking low to follow. Before they reached the opening, Kurjan soldiers poured out, already firing. Zane dropped and rolled, returning fire and nailing one soldier in the neck. He jumped up and ran forward, tackling a soldier off Talen. The soldier punched Zane in the face, and he hit back, reaching for his knife.

The Kurjan shoved up with a blade, neatly slicing Zane’s vest.

Zane plunged his weapon down, severing the Kurjan’s carotid artery before decapitating the soldier. A Degoller Star whizzed by his head and stuck into Talen’s back.

With a roar, Zane lunged up and threw his knife end-over-end into the eye of the Kurjan who’d thrown the star. Fucking Degoller Stars. Zane rushed toward Talen to reach gingerly for the razor-sharp weapon. “So much for the treaty banning these.” Zane withdrew the deadly star, which made a squishing noise as Talen’s flesh released it.

Talen tapped his ear as hell reigned around them. “Watch your necks. Degoller Stars being deployed.”

A series of muttered curses emerged through the ear devices.

Talen rolled his shoulders.

“Your vest protected you mainly.” Zane tucked the star into his back pocket. “Although there’s blood on it.”

“It cut my shoulder blade, not bad enough to worry about.” Talen lifted his chin. “Let’s go in.”

All around them, vampires and Kurjans fought hand to hand with an occasional shot fired. The sky opened up to rain down on the smoky, fiery landscape, making visibility difficult. Zane caught Nick and Sam fighting over on the perimeter. Good. They’d cover each other. He nodded at Talen. “Let’s go.”

Together, they fought their way to the entrance into the rocks, protecting each other’s backs like they’d fought together for centuries. Zane took a Kurjan down to the ground, and another white-faced monster jumped through the smoke to stab Zane in the leg. Talen had the soldier face down in the mud and headless within seconds.

Zane finished off his opponent.

Talen reached down and yanked out the knife from Zane’s thigh. “That might hurt.”

Agony rippled through Zane’s leg, and he shoved to his feet. “Didn’t feel a thing.”

Talen nodded and turned again for the entrance, pausing at the top step. “Watch your head.”

“I know.” Zane held a gun in one hand and a blade in the other. Truth be told, he preferred the blade for fighting. “I’ve got your back. Go.”

Talen immediately jogged down the stairs toward blackness darker than any night. Silver flashed, and Zane rushed him, knocking him into concrete blocks that made up the walls. The Degoller Star ripped into the concrete wall. They crashed to the rough stone steps. A slicing pain ripped through Zane’s neck from a spinning Degoller Star, and he kept hold of Talen’s shoulders while they plunged end over end down the hard stone. Zane grunted with each abusing impact.

Finally, they reached the bottom, and Talen swept a flashlight wide. Nothing. “Thanks,” he muttered, grabbing Zane’s arms to drag him up.

“No problem.” Zane cleared his throat.

Talen stiffened. “I smell blood.” He focused the light on Zane. “Shit.”

Zane reached up to cover his neck. “The wound isn’t deep.” Well, except his head felt like it might fall off his body, and his vision wavered.

The light disappeared, and the sound of tearing fabric filled the small cavern. Talen wrapped the sleeve of his T-shirt around Zane’s neck and pulled tight. Zane fought not to wince.

“Go above and get medical help,” Talen ordered.

“No. This ends now.” Zane pushed the vampire aside and ducked low, heading into smoke. A strong hand grabbed the back of his vest, and he was yanked behind Talen.

“Stay behind me, jugular injury,” Talen muttered just as three Kurjans poured out of a far doorway. “Fight back-to-back.”

Zane gripped his blade and jumped into the fray.

More vampire soldiers filled the steps behind them. Shouts of pain echoed in the distance, and an explosion rocked through the underground labyrinth. The soldiers from the ocean must’ve breached the cliffs.

Zane fought hard, keeping his head low and watching for any spinning silver discs. He and Talen slowly made their way through the Kurjan headquarters, finally reaching an elaborate hallway lined with priceless oil paintings and burnished antiques.

“Go left,” Talen ordered, turning to the right. “If you sight Kalin, detail his location.”

Zane nodded and forged down the plush red carpet, sweeping his gun wide, the hair rising down his neck along with fresh blood. The first doorway, of heavy metal, all but vibrated with the energy flowing through it. Kalin. Drawing in a deep breath of smoke and blood-scented air, Zane gathered his strength and kicked open the door.

He immediately dropped, rolled, and came up firing.

A hard body tackled him, and they crashed into a desk, sending splinters of wood flying. Zane’s gun spun out of his hands. He punched out, hitting flesh, and back-flipped to his feet.

Kalin slowly stood, blood dripping down his white chin. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Here I am.” Zane circled around the richly appointed office. One entire wall looked into the dark and fathomless ocean, and he fleetingly wondered how far down they were. All pain, all concern, dissipated. “I’m surprised you didn’t meet the fight up above.”

Kalin hissed, his eyes churning greenish purple. “I figured the fight would come to me.”

“You figured right.” The fight raged closer outside, and a battle shriek echoed through the walls.

Kalin nodded toward Zane’s makeshift bandage. “Looks like you weren’t quick enough to duck.”

“Fucking coward, using stars.” Zane crouched and attacked, drawing his knife from his boot and slashing across Kalin’s neck. Blood arced gracefully through the air, burning Zane’s chin.

A double-edged pain slashed into his abdomen, just under his vest.

He gasped and punched Kalin’s forearm, which pulled the knife out of Zane’s gut. He growled and sent healing cells to the area. The Kurjan had height and reach on Zane, but Zane had speed and muscle. Time to use his demon side, which he’d never thought he’d do. But to protect his woman, he’d do anything. Zane focused a mental attack at his enemy while drawing out his other knife. Silver flashed in both his hands.

Kalin’s head jerked back, and he growled.

Then heavy shields shoved back against Zane’s brain. “Not bad,” he said.

“I’ve been practicing.” Kalin yanked a gun from the back of his waistband.

Zane ducked low and moved in, hitting the Kurjan at his center and driving him across the room to smash into the wall. A painting of Degas nudes crashed to the ground. He increased his mental attack. Though the Kurjan could counter, he wasn’t a match for a demon.

Kalin slammed both hands into Zane’s ears.

Excruciating pain hacked through Zane’s head, and his ear communicator dropped to the floor. His neck still bled, the wound to his gut remained open, and now his brain began to swell. Dots danced across his eyes.

He turned toward the window as the faintest sunlight tried to pierce the deep.

It was past time to teleport the bastard away from safety. Digging deeper than Zane had believed possible, he manacled Kalin in a bear hug, turned, and sucked the universe up through his feet.

Nothing.

They didn’t move.

Damn it.

Kalin bellowed and hit him in the gut. Pain exploded inside Zane’s stomach. Zane held on with everything he had. He couldn’t transport. He shook his head and drew on every ounce of strength he had left. Turning them, he powered into the heavy window.

Kalin bellowed and shoved against him, his head impacting the window first. Glass shattered, crashing in, and freezing water poured into the room. Zane kept his hold and forced his enemy through the opening, fighting both the Kurjan and the rushing water.

The chill stole his breath but cleared his mind.

He kicked hard, shooting them up to the churning surface. As they broke free, Kalin let out an ear-piercing shriek when the sun hit him. The weak rays poked through thick clouds, yet Kalin’s skin sizzled across his face.

Zane coughed out sea water and waved toward a hovering helicopter. Then he grabbed Kalin’s vest and punched the Kurjan in the jaw. Twice. Kalin slumped unconscious.

A head popped up next to Zane, and Talen spit out bloody water while reaching for the unmoving Kurjan. “You still bleeding?”

“Yes.” Zane helped Talen to support Kalin as the helicopter dropped ropes down. They quickly tied knots around Kalin, and soldiers above lifted the leader into the copter. Minutes later, Talen and Zane climbed up.

Wind battered the vehicle, shoving Zane into his seat.

The pilot flew over a battlefield littered with bodies, their blood seeping into the rocks. He landed quickly, and Dage Kayrs leaped inside, his silver gaze taking in the Kurjan trussed up on the floor.

“Sam and Nick?” Zane asked.

“Injured but healing and en route home,” Dage returned. “Everyone has lifted off except one helicopter. We’ve taken care of the Kurjans and didn’t run into any mates. Dayne and his mate aren’t here, so we’ll have to deal with him another day.” Dage tapped his ear communicator. “Salt the earth and burn it down. Then return home.”

The helicopter swung toward the south.

Zane closed his eyes, concentrating on healing his wounds.

“You can fight,” Talen said.

Zane let his head drop forward to release the tension in his neck. His new father-in-law sounded somewhat impressed, but only a bone-tiredness swamped Zane. “Yeah. I can fight,” he said wearily.

Talen sighed and clapped him on the back in a fatherly gesture. “I know, kid. Believe me, I know.”

“My dad was a good guy. You would’ve liked him,” Zane said. Now where in the hell had that come from?

Talen exhaled, the sound somehow reassuring. “I’ve researched the vampire side of your family ever since you and Janie started meeting in dream worlds. Your father was a great man, a phenomenal soldier, and I think we would’ve been friends had we met,” he said, his hand still on Zane’s shoulder.

“Yes.” In that moment, in a helicopter racing through the sky to transport the biggest threat known to Zane’s mate, to the only woman he’d ever love, he felt the weight on his shoulders spread to those around him.

He didn’t have to do this alone.

Janie pushed her front door open with a sore hip and slid inside to stop short. The scent of male permeated her senses, and a slow flush shivered across her skin. “What’s wrong with your neck?”

Zane sprawled in a chair near the fireplace, a bag of ice held to his jugular. “Just a paper cut.” Wet hair curled over his collar, while fresh bruises marred his face. Despite his relaxed pose, he still appeared as if he might decide to lunge at any second. After his shower, he’d dressed in worn jeans and a T-shirt depicting a cat falling off a roof.

“Nice shirt.” Janie shut the door and toed off her tennis shoes, keeping her face bland. How in the world did the sight of him send her entire body into overdrive so easily? Several deep breaths calmed her.

Zane glanced down. “Logan gave it to me for my last birthday. Said I was being a pussy about taking out Suri.”

Men. They never made any damn sense. “So? How was the raid?” She’d already gotten reports about Zane taking Kalin alive, and she’d seen several battered vampires head into the infirmary as she’d trained outside, but she wanted to hear Zane’s take.

He flexed his hand, working bruised knuckles. “We took out the Kurjan headquarters and captured their leader. Damn good raid.” His eyes darkened, and his gaze swept her training outfit. “Been out hitting things?”

“Vampires, mainly.” And a couple of shifters. “Hand-to-hand and some blade training.” She rolled aching shoulders and finally padded across the room to drop onto the sofa. He drew her and always had.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, the question and tone loaded with intimacy.

When would she get used to seeing him in person and not in dreams? He was just so much
more
than she’d expected. More intense, more handsome, more dangerous. “I’ve felt better.” She ran a hand down her still flat stomach. “I think the nausea is more from Virus-27 than being pregnant. All mates are sick, but witches seem to be bouncing back already.”

Zane sat up, his focus narrowing on her. “Is that significant?”

“Yes.” Janie pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Anything that gives us a clue about the virus is important. We don’t know what it means, but we can work with the knowledge.” She cleared her throat, her mind humming. “How did you feel working with vampires?” Her breath felt tight in her chest.

“They can fight.”

Janie bit back a grin. The three tiny words meant much more than most people would suspect. Zane and her family had reached an understanding. Her shoulders relaxed. “How are you feeling?” She returned his question.

His dark eyebrows rose. “I’m healing.”

“You know what I mean.”

He removed the ice pack to reveal a long scratch along his neck. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” His gaze raked her and warmed. “Come here.”

Two simple words, said in a low tone that trapped her breath in her chest. Tingles flared alive in her abdomen. “I think we should talk.”

“Me too. Come over here and talk.” A dimple flashed in his right cheek, below his scar.

“Are you flirting with me?” Her lips tingled with the need to smile.

“Maybe.” He tossed the icepack on the table. “Now get over here and do your duty.”

She stood and paused. “My duty?”

“Yes. I’m wounded. Kiss it and make it better.” His smile could only be described as sinful.

She coughed out a laugh and reached his side, only to be tugged down onto his hard lap. “You poor baby,” she murmured, running her fingers through his hair and leaning close to kiss his neck. “Better?” Her voice came out throaty, and her cheeks warmed. Oh, she’d flirted before, but those guys seemed like harmless boys compared to Zane.

“Much better.” He shifted her in his arms, settling her closer. “What are we talking about?” He played with her hair.

She spread her palm over his heart, marveling at the hard muscles. “I heard you shoved Kalin into the ocean. That showdown has been a long time coming.”

Zane kissed the top of her head. “I know, and I do feel unsettled. We finally have him, and we’re going to have to torture him to get information on Virus-27.” Zane ran a hand down her arm, and she winced. “What?”

“Nothing. Just a bruise.” Janie stretched her arm out.

Zane slid his palm up and over her bicep. “Here?”

“Yes.” She’d ducked when she should’ve dodged a punch. “I’ll be fine.”

Heat prickled her skin and dug deep, spreading warmth. Zane rubbed the area with circular motions. All pain dissipated. “There you go, Belle,” he rumbled.

She shook her arm. “Hey. You took away the bruise.” Sliding her hand along his arm, she pushed on his bicep. “Is it here now?”

“No. I took the injury in, held it, and healed the bruise already.” He grinned. “See how handy I am as a mate?”

“I did choose well,” she said solemnly, trying not to smile.

“We both did.” He flattened his hand over her abdomen. “Can you sense him yet?”

She shook her head, placing her hand over Zane’s. “No. You?”

Zane stilled and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Yes. He’s strong already. Definitely your kid.” Concern flickered in Zane’s eyes.

“We’ll be all right,” Janie whispered, and leaned in to kiss the now faded scratch on his neck. “We’ll get the information on Virus-27 from Kalin, and we’ll find a cure.”

“I don’t want you going near Kalin.” Zane sighed.

Janie lifted her head and leaned back. “But?”

Zane’s eyes darkened. “What do you think we should do?”

“I think I should talk to him. Alone.” Janie exhaled slowly. “He’s contained, and if he’ll talk to anybody, it’s me.”

Zane closed his eyes and exhaled, his entire chest moving. “I agree.”

Janie blinked. “That’s surprising.” She’d figured she’d have to fight Zane and the entire Kayrs family to get to Kalin.

“I know.” Zane opened his eyes. “The thought of you and our child so close to the Kurjan Butcher makes me want to kill. But that virus inside you is as dangerous as Kalin is, and you’re the only person who has a chance at getting information. Torture probably won’t work with him.”

“So you trust me to handle Kalin?” Her chest swelled. Zane saw her as a woman and not some prophesied fragile human who needed to be hidden away.

“You’re smart and you’re trained. Of course I trust you.” Zane sighed.

She leaned over and feathered her lips over his. “So you’ve seen the error of your ways.”

He tangled his hand in her hair and tugged until her head lifted and her gaze met his. “What error?”

“The whole
do as I say or you get spanked
error.”

He grinned. “No. You’re going to talk to Kalin because it’s a plan we’re mutually agreeing on, and I’m going to keep you as safe as possible. It’s our only chance with him. But if I give an order in the future regarding your safety, you damn well better obey it.” Even through the smile, possessive determination glowed.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“So long as you heed my warning, call me anything you want.” His hold tightened just enough to show his intent. “For now, we need to figure out a safe way to gain Intel from Kalin without me standing in front of you, which is what I’d much rather do.”

Holy crap. She was actually going to face Kalin. Dots danced across her vision. With a grimace, she pushed to stand. “I’d rather do this now than later. Let’s go talk strategy with my dad. Maybe I’ll take a nice picnic lunch down to Kalin in his cell.”

Zane stood and wove his fingers through hers. “I’m sure the king and your father will love that idea as much as I do.”

 

Janie waited while the guards finished sweeping the Realm’s secured cells in the mountain. Her family had been surprisingly accepting of her idea to speak with Kalin. In fact, when she and Zane had arrived at the conference room, they’d already started making a plan. Their trust in her abilities warmed her.

She couldn’t let them down.

Now she stood deep in the mountainous headquarters. She loved being inside the earth and let the sense of surrounding rock center her. Peace filtered through the earth that held them all so tight. Unfortunately, the peace failed to diminish the headache pounding at the base of her skull. She’d barely kept the agony at bay since contracting the virus, and the pain was becoming more insistent.

Zane, Talen, and Dage manned control panels in the adjacent room, recording everything.

The guards exited, and Chalton gave her a terse nod. Dage had decided to send in guards Kalin didn’t know and not family—not anybody Kalin knew. “We’ll be right outside,” Chalton said.

Sweat slicked her palms. She nodded and tugged down her bulletproof vest before striding inside and shutting the door.

Lighter brown rock made up the walls of a square room bisected in the middle by pure iron bars. A cot and toilet made up the cell. Kalin stood, dressed in a plain black jumpsuit, and drew near the bars. “Janet.” Satisfaction rolled his consonants.

“Kalin.” Her heart beat hard enough to rattle her ribs. She chose one of the two chairs on her side of the bars and sat, taking a moment to study him. “Please, sit.” Damn, he was tall. Almost seven feet. His black hair had grown out longer than the last time she’d seen him, the red tips seeming brighter. Green and purple commingled in his eyes. Gone was the boy who’d visited her dreams.

He sat gracefully at the end of the cot, his burned skin already healing. “Might you bring your chair closer?”

“No, I might not.” She had strict orders to keep out of arm’s length, and she was smart enough to heed them. Uncle Conn was the ultimate soldier, and he knew what he was doing.

Kalin laughed and glanced at her combat outfit. “Are you expecting to be shot?”

“No.”

“How many knives do you have hidden?” Curiosity darkened the purple in his eyes.

“Five.”

He nodded. “Good number.”

“Thanks.” Her hands trembled, so she rested them lightly on her legs as she waited. Some of her training had included interrogation and interviewing techniques, and every instinct she had told her to let Kalin lead the discussion.

Kalin lifted his patrician nose and sniffed. “Ah. Peaches and . . .” He launched himself at the bars, wrapping long fingers around them. “You’ve contracted the virus.”

She barely kept herself from shoving back in her chair. “Yes.” Showing trust, she leaned toward him. “I’m hoping you can save me.”

He glanced up at one of several security cameras. “Let me out of here, and I promise I will.”

“No. Save me anyway.”

“Have your
mate
save you,” Kalin spat, fangs slashing low. He swallowed and drew them up, visibly inhaling. “I apologize for my outburst, but you shouldn’t have mated Kyllwood. A
demon
, for God’s sake.”

Finally, Janie’s body calmed. Her mind took over. “He can’t save me. You can. So do it.” But could Kalin help? “You altered the virus enough to make it go airborne, and in doing so, you had to be smart enough to create a cure.”

Kalin’s blood-red lips curled. “Oh, I know the cure. But for now, I like you unraveling and getting rid of that nasty demon-vampire marking.” He released the bars. “The mark is fading, is it not?”

Yes, the mark seemed lighter by the hour. “No. Sorry.”

“You’re a terrible liar.” Kalin tsked his tongue. “We’ll have to work on that when we’re finally together.”

“So you really think we’re going to be together?” she asked softly, tilting her head.

His smile warmed. “I’m immortal, Janet. We’re not confined to a little lifetime, and I have no doubt we’ll end up as one. The sooner the better, of course.” He stilled and blinked. Then he took a deep breath, his eyes widening and his gaze dropping to her stomach. “Baby powder and fresh rain.” His fangs dropped again, glinting in the fluorescent light.

Janie swallowed as her pulse picked up again. Her chin rose. “Yes.”

Kalin staggered back and dropped to sit. His eyes narrowed, clearly calculating. “You can’t be pregnant this quickly.”

“Yet I am.” She covered her stomach protectively.

He shook his head, dark hair flying. For several long, tension-filled moments, he just studied her. Then he swallowed. “This new version of the virus will destroy a baby. You won’t make it nine months—not even close.” His voice roughened.

Was that panic? Janie stood and stepped closer to the bars. “Then help me. For our friendship as kids, if for nothing else.”

“I can’t,” he whispered. His shoulders slumped. “The mutation of the virus happened quickly and infected several Kurjan mates.”

Janie’s knees wobbled, but she stayed upright. “What happened to them?”

“They died. Within a week to a month of contracting the stronger virus. All of them.” Kalin stood and stepped up to the bars again, sorrow lining his face. “Our scientists are working around the clock, but as of right now, there’s no cure. I’ve lied and tried to cover that fact, thinking we’d eventually find a cure, but . . .”

Fury soared through her and she grabbed the bars. “Then why the hell did you set the virus free? Why infect the witches during the peace talks?”

“We’re at war, and the peace talks represented the only opportunity to infect witches, and thus vampire mates.” He wiped his smooth chin. “We had no choice.”

“Oh, you had a choice.” Raw anger lowered her voice. “We could’ve found peace.”

He snorted. “Peace after war? Never. War is meant to be won.”

“Or lost,” Janie hissed.

Kalin moved quicker than possible and wrapped his hands over hers, holding tight. “We’ll just see who loses.”

The door banged open, and Zane entered, firing three shots into Kalin’s shoulder. The Kurjan fell back on the cot.

Zane grabbed Janie’s arm and shoved her behind him, the gun still pointed at the Kurjan.

Kalin grabbed his bleeding shoulder and chuckled. “You may have knocked her up, but you’re going to lose her. Soon.”