Marked (21 page)

“Bullshit.” Zane aimed and shot Kalin in the knee.

The Kurjan hissed in pain. “No cure, demon.” Even with the fresh wound, he stood, looking down. “All of your power, all of your strength, and you can’t save one little human mate. If you were a true ruler, you could save your woman. How helpless you must feel, Kyllwood.”

Zane’s body tensed, and Janie set her hand against his waist. Zane settled, his shoulders going back. “We’ll see about that, Kurjan. Have fun bleeding.” He turned and hustled Janie from the room, slamming the door behind them.

Zane tipped back his head and swallowed the entire tumbler of Scotch.

“That’s fifty years old,” Talen grumbled, refilling Zane’s glass. “Slow down or start drinking the cheap stuff.”

Zane would bet his left shoe the vampires didn’t have cheap stuff.

“It’s over by Garrett and Logan,” Talen said, jerking his head toward the kids playing pool. Then he turned and strode across the room where his pale mate sat on a sofa, talking to Zane’s mother.

Zane straightened and leaned back against the bar, his drink in hand. When he’d been summoned to a strategic meeting, he sure as hell hadn’t expected alcohol, pinball tables, and a comfortable fireplace fronted by heavy furniture. When Suri planned, the demon kept to conference rooms—and no women. Nobody playing pool or arguing good-naturedly about the football playoffs.

The Kayrs family ruled as a family, now didn’t they? Oh, there was no doubt the king was in charge, but he relied heavily on his brothers as well as their mates.

Zane glanced at Sam, over playing darts with Jase Kayrs. Maybe Zane should include his brothers more and stop trying to shield them. They were fine men and even better warriors.

Janie slid onto a bar stool, her shoulder nudging his arm. “My dad is sharing his good Scotch?” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You must’ve made quite an impression in battle.”

Zane took another sip. It was good.

“Check out the sunset,” Janie said softly.

Floor to ceiling windows showcased the rather calm Pacific Ocean and a spectacular pink and orange sunset. “Beautiful,” he said. Then he brushed a hand over her silky hair, allowing himself to touch freely. To reassure himself that for now, she was all right. “I thought you were very brave facing Kalin alone earlier.”

She sighed and leaned into him. “I thought he’d want to help me. Foolish, I know.”

Zane slipped an arm around her shoulders. So fragile and yet so strong. “I thought he’d help you, too.”

“Do you believe him? That there’s no cure?” Janie asked.

“I’m not sure.” Zane caressed her neck. For so long, Janie had been his only lifeline. It felt damn right to hold her close. “We’ve been poring over the recordings, and if there’s a clue in what he said, we can’t find it.” Frustration heated up Zane’s throat, and he tried to mellow it out. Kalin had been correct that Zane was helpless to cure Janie, and that truth spiked through him like a hot poker.

Janie’s chin dropped to her chest. “That feels good. Constant headache.”

Zane frowned and rubbed harder, yanking her pain into his neck. Agony flared along his vertebrae and down his spine. He coughed. “God.” Sucking in air, he forced healing cells around the pain and shoved it into nothingness. “That was more than a headache.”

She lifted her head, her eyes clearing. “I know. Everyone keeps getting them from the virus. Earlier I wanted to rip my own head off.”

Yet instead, she’d calmly entered the cell of a killer. Zane shook his head, his chest puffing out. Yeah. His mate was awesome, brave, and so damn smart. He’d underestimated her before, mistaking a fragile body for a delicate spirit. His woman was a warrior. “You’re perfect, Belle.”

She snorted. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Not enough.” He glanced down at her cup. “What’s that?”

“Green tea.” She sighed and eyed his tumbler. “I already miss red wine.”

He faltered. “Ah, maybe I should give up alcohol, too. Just to be fair.”

She turned her head and a saucy smile lifted her pink lips. “Drink all you want. You can make it up to me later.”

He smiled through the worry. “Now that’s a deal.” God, he had to save her. The idea of Janie being taken from him poked the beast inside him to action. To fight any danger.

The king stood near the fireplace and cleared his throat. “Let’s have a quick meeting. Does anybody think the Kurjans have a cure for the virus?”

“No,” Janie said softly. “I think Kalin was telling the truth.” She frowned. “At least some of the truth. He seemed cagey.”

Dage nodded. “Agreed. I don’t think he has the actual cure, but I believe he knows something. Perhaps his scientists are on the right path.” The king turned toward his mate. “What’s the status in our labs?”

The queen pushed black hair from her pale face with trembling hands. “The virus is definitely attacking faster, but the witches are holding their own. Unlike mates. We don’t know why yet, but I think it might be the key to curing the bastard.” She sighed and stood, looking thinner suddenly. “The virus comes with a blinding headache, and my vision has come and gone several times all day. The thing spread unbelievably quickly. At least fifty percent of mates are infected across the globe, and we believe about seventy-five percent of witches are as well.”

“Any difference between male and female witches?” Zane asked.

“No. Males are infected at the same rate as females, and so far, they appear to get a bad cold and then recuperate somewhat,” Emma answered.

Janie nodded. “But even so, they’re still infected?”

“Yes, and the virus keeps unraveling their chromosomes, so although they feel better, they’re still under attack,” Emma said, swaying. Dage grasped her arm and settled her back on the couch with a worried growl.

Zane clawed a hand through his thick hair. Frustration welled up inside him, and he tried to calm himself. Kalin’s words kept rolling around in his head, taunting him with the raw truth. “Any news on Suri?”

“He seems to be consolidating power in Idaho,” Dage said slowly. “Our first focus here is the virus, and then we need to discuss Suri and a possible attack.”

Zane shook his head. “No vampire attack on demons. This is between Suri and me. That outcome will determine the future relationship between our peoples.” He kept Dage’s gaze until the king nodded.

“Your choice. We’ll back you,” Dage said.

Zane didn’t smile, but relief filled him.

Janie pushed off the stool, her gaze on her mother. “Mom? You don’t look so good.” She moved to cross the room and stopped in the middle. “Oh.” She wavered and put a hand to her head. “Zane?”

Shit. Her vision. Zane reached her in one stride and slid an arm around her. “It’s okay, Belle.”

Janie shook her head, a sob rising from her throat. Her knees buckled.

Zane swore and caught her, so much fury bombarding through him, his ears rang.
If you were a true ruler, you could save your woman.
Kalin’s taunt ripped through Zane’s head. “Enough of this shit.” Losing her was not a fucking option. He laid her down and pressed both hands to her chest. Drawing on the universe, drawing on every ounce of stubborn strength he owned, he pulled on the pain inside her. On the fucking parasite trying to hurt her.

Nothing would hurt her. Ever.

His stomach lurched, and his liver pulsed. His spleen might have exploded. Yet he pulled harder, his eyes closing so he could concentrate. Something gave inside her.

His eyes flipped open. Pressing against her chest, his fingers went rigid. He could do this. Picturing her strands of DNA, of her very essence, he searched for what didn’t belong.

Finding the anomaly, he wrapped himself mentally around the intruder. His fangs dropped low and nicked his lip. The muscles in his arms and chest undulated, tensing with strain as if he tried to pull a truck by himself. An oily sense of wrongness fought him. With a hoarse shout, he tore the intruder from her body and into his own. The effort threw him onto his back, and his head smashed into the floor.

His breath panted out, and his vision went gray.

Sam reached him first. “Zane?”

Zane shook his head and slowly sat up with his brother’s help.

Janie sat up, wiping her eyes. Her very clear eyes. “It’s gone,” she whispered.

The entire room went still. Nobody even breathed.

Zane shut his eyes and wrapped healing cells around the virus before shoving it away. He coughed and opened his eyes. “I got the bastard.”

The queen gasped. “Oh my God. The mutated virus is faster but weaker. Mates can pull it free, unlike the earlier version. We didn’t even think to try.”

Every vampire in the room focused on his mate.

The queen held up both hands. “Whoa. We need to study—ack.” Her voice cut off as Dage all but tackled her into the couch. “No, Dage, wait—” Thunder rolled outside as the king concentrated solely on curing his mate.

Zane allowed Sam to help him up before reaching to assist Janie.

Sam glanced around at the odd motions of vampires yanking the evil from their mates. “This is just weird,” he muttered.

Zane nodded.

Janie turned and burrowed into his arms, tears in her eyes. “You did it. My God, you figured out how to save us all.”

 

Janie sang softly as she made the bed, her mind finally clear. No virus. Zane had taken the little bugger right out of her body. Emma had confirmed her blood results hours ago. All the mates were clear, and the news had gone out to the world.

By morning, the virus would be banished from all mates.

Mated witches would also be cured, and soon a cure for all witches would be found. For the first time in years, Janie could take a deep breath. Watching her mother suffer for so long had taken a toll on her. Now Cara could heal.

Zane paced into the bedroom, and Janie’s breath caught. “I didn’t hear you return,” she said, holding a pillow to her chest.

He glanced at the bed and then up at her. “The queen finished taking my blood. Damn, that woman likes needles.”

Janie chuckled and tucked the pillow into place. “Emma is dedicated. What did she find?”

“No virus in anybody’s blood, although the main test takes another ten hours to develop fully.” Zane nudged the door shut. “I thought we should celebrate.” His voice roughened.

Amusement and desire bubbled up. “Dinner and a movie?”

He blinked. “After.”

Her grip tightened on the pillow. “You’ve never taken me on a real date.”

“Yet here you are, locked in a bedroom, totally at my mercy.”

She lifted the pillow again, laughter filling her. “I’m not helpless.”

“No.” He angled toward her. “You’re damn strong. Impressive, really.”

She lifted a mocking eyebrow, while pleasure burst inside her. “Not weak. So, do you have any weaknesses, Zane Kyllwood?”

“Only you.” He stepped closer, his gaze thoughtful. Even flirting, an intensity danced on his skin.

“I make you weak.” She slid one foot back an inch.

“You knock my feet out from under me.”

Now that was the sweetest compliment she’d ever received. Her heart thumped, full of him. “Let’s see about that.” Throwing the pillow at his head, she rolled across the bed to land on the other side.

He beat her there and tossed her back on the bed, sprawling over her.

She laughed and pushed at his chest. “Get off.”

“Plan to.” He went limp, crushing her into the bed. “See. Swept off my feet.”

She gasped for breath, chuckling with each pant and trying to shove at his chest. It was like being pinned down by a car. He’d immobilized her entire body. “You weigh a ton.”

He lifted himself up onto his elbows, pressing his groin more firmly against hers. “You calling me fat?”

“Hmmm.” She pursed her lips, pinched his flank. Or tried to. Nothing but smooth muscle over pure hard steel. “I have a couple of exercise tapes you could borrow.”

He grinned. “Have any leg warmers I could wear?” The tension riding his shoulders lessened.

She skimmed up his back to play with his thick hair. “I see you in pink.”

He chuckled, and his mental guard relaxed.

Images slammed into Janie’s brain. Strategy and danger. She stilled.

His smile faded. “We shouldn’t be able to read each other’s minds so quickly.”

Yet they could. She shook her head against the pillow. “We’re finally in a good spot. You have to find peace.”

Granite hard muscle pressed against her chest as he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “There’s no peace if Suri lives.”

Fiery heat ignited her nerves. “Then send an army and let’s finish this.” Her voice rose, and her mind reeled with the need to find a solution without so much danger to him. They’d just found each other, and they finally had a chance to live. To be together. “Please.”

“An army of vampires taking on an army of demons? That’s not peace.” Zane spoke softly, but the firmness of his jaw left no room for negotiation. For reason. “The only way to find peace is to take Suri down and agree to a treaty as the new leader. Otherwise, we’ll always be at war. The two sides of me, the vampire and the demon, will be fighting each other. I have family on both sides.”

The truth made sense but there had to be another way. A way that wouldn’t get him killed. She coughed out frustration. “Even if you beat Suri one-on-one, his death will send out shock waves, right?”

“Definitely.” An apology shone in Zane’s emerald eyes.

“Can you survive it?” Janie whispered, her gaze dropping to his full lips.

They formed the words she really didn’t want to see. “I don’t know,” he said. “I have a better chance than anyone else, though.”

That wasn’t exactly reassuring. She sighed, curiosity battling with fear. “What about you? There’s power in you, too. If you, ah, died, would you send out shock waves?”

He shrugged. “Not at this point. You need to be at least five hundred years old to accumulate that much mental power, and frankly, after the last two wars, not many demons have lived that long. Suri and Nick are among the few.”

So Suri had nothing to fear if Zane died. Janie swallowed. “You’re still regaining your strength from battle and from teleporting so many times. Surely you’re going to give yourself time to heal before taking on Suri.”

Zane lowered his head until his nose nearly touched hers. “I leave tomorrow, Belle.”