Marked (24 page)

Max eyed Zane. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine. You?” Zane glowered back.

“Like shit, actually. My head hurts, my heart is beating too slowly, and my fucking knees feel weird.” Max leaned back against a jam-packed bookshelf. “Sound familiar?”

Zane’s shoulders relaxed. “Very.”

Max clapped him on the back. “So teleporting to Suri, teleporting him out, and then fighting him sucks as an idea right now. Right?”

Zane shut his eyes. “Yes.”

“It’s okay, Zane. We’re family, and we’ll figure this out,” Max said.

Janie clutched the back of the sofa. Max had just called Zane family. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed Max to acknowledge Zane. “We’ll come up with a plan.”

Max nodded and reached for a small package next to all the books. “I agree. Now, you two get back to work so I can make a nice dinner for my Sarah.” He handed the package to Janie as Zane drew her outside. “This is for you.” Without another word, he shut the door.

Janie stood on the porch, her gaze on the package. Slowly, she slid out a picture of her and Max at her fifth birthday party. They both wore party hats, and delight filled her young face while amusement danced on Max’s deadly features.

She turned toward Zane. “Why would he give me this now?”

Zane faltered and then kept silent.

Yeah. The shot was a remembrance of better times. “This is not good-bye,” Janie yelled.

 

 

Janie rubbed her protruding belly in circular motions, humming to her son. She lounged on the sofa in the main gathering room of the lodge, watching the tumultuous ocean outside. The baby kicked her hand, and despite her sorrow, she smiled. She’d kill to have an ultrasound of the little guy, but vampire babies created too strong an amnio sac, and waves couldn’t permeate it.

But her psychic abilities granted her some comfort. She could sense the spirit inside her—strong and good. Probably stubborn as heck. Just like Zane.

“I’m glad to see you resting.” Dage crossed into the room, leaning heavily on a handmade walking stick.

Seeing the king moving as if decrepit stabbed harsh nails into Janie’s heart. After months of searching, months of trials, they hadn’t found a cure for the virus. The Kayrs men were practically human by now. “The baby is kicking. Want to feel?”

Delight flickered in Dage’s eyes, and he carefully spread a gnarled hand on Janie’s belly.

The liver spots were new.

The baby kicked. Hard.

Dage chuckled and removed his hand. “He’s strong. Definitely a Kayrs.”

“Kyllwood,” said a low voice from the doorway as Zane hitched into the room. While he didn’t require a cane, he moved like an old man. “I have Sam and Logan reaching out to any demon allies we might still have out there.”

“Is Sam going to take on Suri?” Dage asked.

“No.” Zane sat next to Janie and slipped his thin fingers through hers. “Talen and I have come up with a plan. We’re waiting another month, tops, and then we’re sending in a full assault with healthy vampires and shifters to Suri’s Idaho compound.”

“Then what?” the king asked wearily.

“The orders are to take Suri alive, and then, we’ll have to figure it out. Kill him somewhere safe.” Zane’s hand trembled.

Janie straightened up. “A month?”

Dage and Zane shared a look.

God. “Kane finished mapping the virus’s path.” Janie slid a comforting hand over her belly, her heart cracking. “Two months is what you have left.”

“Maybe less.” The king leaned heavily on his cane; silver had overcome the black in his hair. “We’ve received the first reports of vampires succumbing to comas this week. We’re not far behind.”

“No.” Janie struggled to her feet. “Let me talk to Kalin again. Please.”

Dage sighed. “We’ve talked to Kalin until we’re blue in the face. We’ve tortured him. We’ve even tried to bribe him. The bastard is telling the truth. There’s no cure.”

Janie stood tall, mentally telling fear to fuck off. “Then we contact his people again.”

“Already have,” Zane said wearily. “Dayne has taken over as leader, and if you ask me, he doesn’t want Kalin back. If he wanted to save his cousin, he would’ve mounted an attack by now.”

“So what the hell do we do with Kalin?” Janie asked.

Dage’s weathered face tightened. “He dies before we do.”

Zane nodded. “I won’t leave him here to be a threat to you or my child.”

“I’m not giving up,” Janie said, her heart thundering. The men in her life couldn’t leave her alone—she needed her family. Her son deserved to know these incredible people.

“Neither are we, sweetheart. But we have to be proactive.” Dage tugged a folded piece of paper from his back pocket to hand it to Janie. “I had a vision.”

Janie slowly unfolded the paper to see a drawing of a handsome, sixteen-year-old male vampire. Make that a vampire-demon. “This is our son?”

“Yes.” Dage tapped the kid’s chin. “Stubborn chin.”

Zane leaned around to see. “He has my good looks.”

“Definitely.” Janie’s lips trembled when she smiled. “So this is the guy inside me?”

“Chances are,” Dage said. “He’s definitely from the two of you.”

“But maybe it’s not
this
baby.” Janie’s teeth clenched as she scrambled to find hope. “This could be our third son. Heck, our eighth son. We’re going to cure this virus, and Zane is going to give me a barrel of sons.”

Zane lifted an eyebrow. “Eight kids?”

“Yes.” She reached up and kissed his chin. “I’m going back to work.”

Dage reached for her and enveloped her in a hug. “I’m not saying good-bye. Just that I love you and I’m proud of you.” He nodded at Zane. “And I’m so pleased you’ve found your mate.”

Janie swallowed past a huge lump in her throat. “I love you, too.”

The words were soft, but they really did feel like good-bye.

 

 

Janie rubbed her aching belly and knocked on her parents’ home, a plate warming her hands. The wind bustled around her, and she shivered.

Her father answered, a smile splitting his face. The sight of his pale skin threw her, as did the lightening of his warm golden eyes. It was as if the gold wasn’t strong enough to stay.

She held out the plate. “I made your favorite cookies.”

“Chocolate chip?” He drew her inside and led her to the kitchen before accepting the treats.

“Yes.” She reached for him, and he enveloped her in a hug of warmth and pine. The feel and smell of safety.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble around her.

She stepped back and forced a smile. “That’s my line. Any better?”

“Much.” He leaned back against a marble counter, the lie obvious on his blue-tinted lips. “Any interesting theories or results from today’s blood draw?”

“No.” She’d give anything to find a cure for him. “But we’re working around the clock. Don’t worry, we’ll find a cure.” She patted his thin arm. “You’re too tough to keep down for long.”

His grin flashed a perfect dimple in his right cheek. “I’m too mean, that is.”

She nodded, her lips trembling. “Exactly.”

“Sweetheart, stop worrying so much. Love is the one thing that makes Kayrs men stronger, so it could never be the thing that takes us down. Trust me.” He pushed back to sit on the counter, his feet still touching the floor.

“I do.” She stretched her neck and studied the man who’d made the world safe while also giving her a family. “Do you ever wonder what life would’ve been like if you hadn’t rescued Mom and me from the Kurjans?”

Talen lifted one gray eyebrow. “No.”

Amusement bubbled up, easing the constant pain of worry for a moment. “No? Not at all?”

“No. Some things are meant to be, and some people are meant to be. You and your mother were meant to be mine.”

Janie kept her smile. Her dad was one of a kind and had no intention of ever hiding himself. “I don’t think many women in the world would’ve accepted your, ah, outdated approach.”

Talen smiled. “Your mother is one of a kind. Evolved and brilliant.”

And happy. Talen had made Cara happy for decades now. Janie cleared her throat. “So, you and Zane have reached peace?”

Talen sighed. “Yes.” The strong planes of his face sobered. “It’s difficult seeing your daughter grow up. If I could, I’d have you still be five years old, fascinated with ponies and faeries. Not demons.”

“I know.” She shuffled her feet, her stomach aching. “Does Zane’s lineage bother you?”

“No. He’s a good man, a good fighter. I couldn’t care less about his lineage.” Talen pushed away from the counter to stand.

“What about the pregnancy, Grandpa?”

Talen shook his head. “I’m not old enough to be a grandfather.”

“You’re three and a half centuries old.”

“Exactly.” Talen nodded, his gaze dropping to her abdomen. “We’ll protect and love this little guy with everything we are and everything we have. He’ll have a good life.”

“I know.” Janie moved forward to touch her father’s arm. “Thank you. For rescuing me, and for being my dad.”

Talen straightened. “I’m not going anywhere, Janie. No good-byes here.”

She nodded. “Some things just need to be said sometimes.”

“In that case, thank you for being my daughter. My life meant nothing before you and your mother came home with me.”

Like they’d had much of a choice. Janie stepped into her father’s arms, the one place she’d always been safe. “We’ll fix this, Dad. I promise.”

“I know.” The doorbell rang, and Talen’s head lifted. “You expecting somebody?”

“Yes.” She slid her arm through her father’s as they made their way to the door. “I asked Zane to pick me up here on the way to the lab. He’s due for another round of tests.” She opened the door to find her mate looking as pale and elderly as her father, so she forced a smile. “There’s my guy.”

Zane slipped his hand over hers. “Talen. How you feeling?”

“Great. You?”

“Perfect,” Zane said.

Talen pressed a kiss to Janie’s forehead. “I’ll be along shortly. If your mother’s at the lab, please tell her I’ll meet her there and then walk her home.” With a nod to Zane, he shut the door.

Janie bit her lip to keep from crying.

Zane sighed and tightened his hold on her hand. “Talen will be all right.”

“I know.” The only way to heal her father would be to find a cure. She held Zane’s hand and turned to go down the steps and onto the sidewalk. The wind whistled, and leaves dropped from colorful trees.

Death was all around them.

They walked in silence, both lost in thought. Minutes later they escaped the wind in the massive lodge, and Janie led the way to the main lab. It was empty. “Mom and Emma will probably be back soon.” She suddenly felt numb.

“I know. Keep hope, Janie. We’ll find a cure.” Zane shivered, even in the warm lab.

Desperation tasted like raw acid pouring down her throat. She wanted to fight, and she wanted to hit something. The baby bounced inside her. Could he feel her fear? Her horrible panic?

Zane pulled her into his lean body. So lean—no fat and hardly any muscle. His odd blend of demon and vampire blood had made the virus grow more slowly in him than in the vampires, but it was still taking its toll.

She inhaled his scent, his very essence. Why wasn’t she strong enough to save him? There had to be a way. The baby kicked her, bouncing against Zane’s flat stomach. He chuckled.

She leaned back, tears blurring his face. “Please don’t leave me.”

He opened his mouth to answer, and the room rocked.

A series of explosions ripped through the peaceful day in such rapid succession it was impossible to tell where one ended and the next began.

The floor rolled, and they fell.

Zane turned so she landed on him.

A blaring alarm roared through the building.

Zane helped her up, his face pale, rage filling his nearly colorless eyes. “We’re under attack. Run.”

Janie scrambled down the hallway, ducking flying glass and slivers of wood. The earth rocked, and she fell. Pain vibrated up her palms to her shoulders. Her knees ached.

Zane grabbed the back of her shirt and hauled her up, pushing her into the janitor’s closet. Shoving cleaning supplies and a mop out of the way, he revealed a silver keypad. His fingers flew over the pad, and a secret door snicked open.

“Go, go, go,” he said, pushing her inside and yanking the door shut behind them. “Run, Belle.”

Her mind swirled, and panic heated her breath. The full out assault would destroy Realm headquarters and alert nearby humans. She shoved open another door and jogged down a long flight of stairs cut into the rock, her hands finding purchase on the smooth stone walls.

Zane labored behind her. “Do you have your phone?”

“No.” She’d dropped it when the first bomb had hit. “You?” she gasped, trying to see through the dim lights.

“No. Keep running.”

The steps took a sharp turn at the bottom, and she barely made it without smacking into the wall. Her center of gravity was off with the big baby bouncing inside her. Finally, the tunnel widened, and they reached a small alcove and another door with a keypad.

Zane turned. “I don’t know this code.”

Janie swallowed and typed in the correct code. The heavy metal door unlocked, and she struggled to open it. Zane added his weight, and the door slid open.

They hurried into another hallway, this one leading even farther down into the earth.

Zane paused and looked behind them. “I don’t hear anybody. Do you?”

A boulder crashed down, shattering into pieces. One cut into Janie’s neck. “No,” she said, shoving the door closed. “There are several tunnels into headquarters. Let’s go.”

Zane grabbed her hand and pushed her behind him. “These are steeper. Stay behind me, so if you trip, you’ll hit me and not fall.”

She loped into a run behind him, fully trusting he’d catch her if necessary. Even weakened, even dying, Zane Kyllwood wouldn’t let anything happen to her or their baby.

The air chilled as they descended.

A wisp echoed around them. “Missiles,” Zane muttered.

Relief propelled Janie faster. “That’s good. Somebody’s in the main control room firing back. That’s really good.”

An impact rocked the earth, and the lights wavered.

“That’s not good.” Zane glanced over his shoulder. “You okay?”

“Yes. Two more doors, and we’ll be in the inner headquarters. It’s safer there.” She tried to nod while keeping a hand on the cut in her neck.

His eyes widened. “How bad?”

“Just a scratch. Go.”

He turned and continued running, reaching yet another fire door. “Code?”

She punched it in and followed Zane into the eastern part of the underground headquarters. A gun cocked.

They both stilled, and Zane backed her against the stone wall, covering her.

She peered around him at several demon soldiers, all in combat gear. A gaping hole in the wall showed the Pacific lapping peacefully against the rocks.

The soldier in front pointed his gun at Zane’s chest and fired three times.

Zane flew back against Janie, and her head knocked on the stone. “No,” she cried out, reaching for him.

He slid to the ground, silent.

The demon smiled, flashing sharp fangs. “Suri will be pleased.”

Janie tried to bend and administer CPR, but a demon hauled her away from her mate. She fought with everything she had, but the soldier easily pulled her toward the opening.

She frantically glanced around for an escape, just as several more demons jogged up with Kalin between them. They’d bound his hands behind his back, and a myriad of bruises marred his pale face. He’d lost weight during his captivity, but his eyes remained clear and his body ready for battle.

Apparently the Kurjan had put up quite a fight.

He reached them, his gaze dropping to her stomach. Then he focused on the motionless Zane, and the oddest look of regret flashed through his eyes.

Kalin’s broad shoulders straightened, and he focused on her. “Stop fighting them. You’ll hurt your child.”

Tears streamed down her face, and she tried again to free herself from the soldier. He shoved her through the opening, and she stumbled on the rocks, barely keeping on her feet.

She flipped around and shot a hard punch to the demon’s trachea before finishing up with a kick to the groin.

He reared back and punched her in the face. Pain exploded along her jawline, sparks flew behind her eyes, and she dropped into blackness.

 

Janie awoke, her head cushioned somewhat on a hard thigh. She blinked. An ache pounded in her jaw.

Reality slammed home with a rush.

She sat up, her head spinning.

“Take a deep breath,” Kalin said.

She blinked and turned. The Kurjan sat on a stone floor, his hands behind his back. Oh. She’d been resting on his leg.

Brushing her hair from her face, she looked around the underground cavern where the peace talks had been held. Without all the occupants, the room seemed hollow and somehow dangerous. Unnatural. Right now, only she and Kalin occupied it.

“How did we get here?” she mumbled, not quite understanding.

“Helicopter and then lift. The demons blew the Realm headquarters to hell,” Kalin said without any inflection.

Panic jolted Janie wide awake. “Who survived?”

“I don’t know. Depends entirely on how well enforced the underground headquarters were.”

Zane. God, Zane. Janie rubbed her eyes. He’d been shot in the chest, and he’d been in a weakened condition. “And Zane?” she asked, her voice wavering.

Kalin swallowed. “I don’t know, but he didn’t look good. He never moved.”

Zane couldn’t be dead. He just couldn’t. Janie bit back a sob and tried to focus on getting out of there. The walls seemed to waver around them. “What’s going on?” she asked.

Kalin sighed. “The quantum physics are failing, and the center fire went out.”

They’d all be incinerated. Panic threatened to choke her.

Janie rubbed her belly, which didn’t move. Was the baby all right? She tried to focus in on his essence, but fear inhibited her. She slowly stood. Four of the five exits had been barricaded with heavy rocks, and only one remained. Over to the right, the Prophesies of Arias spun eerily, bright flames dancing on the heavy leather cover.

The sheer sight of it sent chills coursing down her back.

“Yes. I suppose that is why we’re here,” Kalin said, shoving to his feet.

Janie turned and frowned. “I’m probably here for the book. Why are you here?”

Kalin shrugged. “I don’t know, unless Suri has a plan.”

Janie focused. “What’s your plan, Kalin?”

He pursed his lips. “Immediate plan or long term?”

“Both.”

“For the moment, I plan to listen to Suri. If he wanted me dead, I’d be dead, so he must have an offer. I’ll negotiate, maybe kill him, and then you and I will go to a secondary Kurjan headquarters.” He spoke calmly, as if already seeing the future.

Janie swallowed. “That’s quite an offer, but I think I’ll head home.” She turned to study the barricades, seeing rocks all the way back. It appeared as if the demons had filled the entire passageways, except for the one lift. “Looks like there’s only one way out.”

“Your home was destroyed,” Kalin said, wandering over to the now demolished entrance he’d used during the peace talks. “Time to let fate have her way.”

Janie shook her head, anger fighting with focus inside her head. “Fate can kiss my ass.”

Kalin chuckled, and kicked a smaller boulder out of his way. “That’ll be my job.”

Janie swallowed and turned to face him. “It’s not going to happen.”

“Sure it is. From day one, you were meant to be mine.” Kalin wedged his hip against a rock and shoved. “I don’t suppose you can unbind me?”

Janie glanced at the silver handcuffs. “Not without a key.”

“I figured.” He grunted and pushed the rock a foot. “After we get out of here, I’m killing my cousin and his pregnant mate, and then you and I will rule the Kurjan nation.”

Wow. He was really not listening. “I said no.”

“Your wishes are irrelevant.”

That was it. “Listen, Kalin. I know we’ve been in each other’s lives for years, but you’re a serial killer. You like to kill women.”

He shrugged. “The killing isn’t important. It’s the hunt that matters.”

The cold, nearly bored tone of voice sent chills down Janie’s back. “So someday you’ll hunt me.”

He turned, his eyebrow lifting. “Not you. Never you.”

“Why not?” She forced a chuckle. “Don’t tell me you love me.”

“Love?” He rubbed his smooth chin. “Love is an emotion I haven’t experienced. But I do like fate, and I like that you’re special. I’ll keep you safe.”

Was he crazy or just lacking in empathy? “You feel nothing?”

He studied her. “I don’t really know. It’s always been you, Janet.”

Janie shook her head. She’d never understand Kalin, but someday, like it or not, he would want to hunt her. He wouldn’t be able to stop himself. She had to get back to Zane.

The rocks rattled, and a lift hurtled down. Suri stepped off, tall, powerful, and mean.

“You’re finally awake,” he said. “Now get the book.”

Janie looked from the demon leader to the book and back again. The second she released the book, he’d kill her. “No.”

Suri smiled, the sight truly evil. “You’ll get that book, or I’ll cut that baby out of you. Decide.”

Janie convulsed as if she’d been hit. Terror clawed through her.

Kalin growled low and angled himself in front of her. “Why the hell am I here?”

Suri clasped his hands behind his back. “I thought to trade you to your people for a nice sum. But apparently your cousin has taken control and doesn’t wish for your return. Pity.”

Kalin lifted his regal chin. “So?”

Suri clicked his tongue. “So, I have a plan. Like you, I’m against any uprising or disloyalty to a true leader. Your cousin lacks vision, and you don’t.”

Kalin stilled. “Meaning?”

Suri shrugged a wide shoulder. “The vampires are done, and the witches and shifters are regrouping. Let’s form an alliance, a permanent one, and take out your competition.”

Kalin’s eyes darkened to a deep purple. “I’m amenable to your plan.” He glanced toward Janie. “She comes with me.”

“Of course,” Suri said.

Lie. Even without superhuman senses, Janie discerned the lie. “You want me dead,” she said, facing her opponent and refusing to show fear.

Suri glanced down at her pregnant belly. “I have to admit, I’m rather curious to see Zane’s vampire-demon son be raised by Kurjans.”

Baloney. Janie angled closer to the lift, fear ringing through her ears.

She stopped.
Zane?
So much relief flooded her that her knees wobbled.

Where are you?
His voice filtered through her thoughts like the softest of whispers.

Cavern for the peace talks.
Despair weighed down her shoulders. They couldn’t possibly get to her in time, even if any of the Realm helicopters had survived the attack.
Is everyone okay?

Tears filled her eyes.
There isn’t time. I love you, Zane. Always.

Suri frowned. “Get the goddamn book, or I’m taking that baby myself.”

Janie turned her coldest gaze on him. “You will die, and I’ll be there.” She turned back to the crazily spinning book. The cavern’s protective spells wouldn’t remain in place for long.

She stepped toward the book, and the cover opened, its pages fluttering in a nonexistent breeze.

Creepy.

Drawing on strength, trying to remember her lessons with Moira and Brenna, she chanted in a language even she didn’t understand.

The book snapped closed.

Rumbles shook the earth, and a schism wound along the floor. Janie shoved herself away from the split, her gaze wildly rushing to the lift.

“Not a chance,” Suri said. “The book. Now.”

If she gave him the book, he’d leave her underground. Every instinct she had yelled at her to stop him. Maybe with the book?

“You can’t read the passages without me,” she said slowly.

“I don’t need the passages. I just need the book,” he returned, his eyes gleaming as his gaze alighted on the now still book. “Get it, or I promise pain you can’t even imagine.”

Her imagination was excellent. She rubbed her belly and took a step closer to the book. Warmth brushed her face and wandered down her front. A pure warmth.

She couldn’t let Suri have the power of the book.

Heat rushed through the cavern, and the earth quaked. Another fissure ripped along the floor. Janie fell down. Kalin jumped to her right.

Agony rippled along her abdomen.

Gasping, she shoved herself to stand. Another pain hit her, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

The air shimmered. Oxygen split in two, and Zane Kyllwood heaved himself through space and time to land hard on the stone floor. He rolled at the last second to avoid the fissure.

Blood coated the earth.

He stood, pale and gasping, raw fury darkening his face across the cavern. “Let her go, Suri.”

Suri snarled. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

“Not even close.” Zane rose to his full height, his chin lowering. Red matted his vest. “Stop hiding behind my woman, and let’s finish this.”

Janie eyed the book. Only pure stubborn will was even keeping Zane upright. She had to do something.

Suri glanced from Zane to Janie. “If she gets me the book, I’ll let you both go.”