Shadowed (Dark Protectors) (7 page)

J
ase punched the bag with a hard rhythm, his feet dancing, his thoughts swirling. Skin split on his knuckles, so he hit harder. Heavy metal music blasted from a stereo in the corner, and he was the only person in the basement gym. Three downed punching bags flopped over near the door, their leather mangled, their stuffing out. He’d have to buy Kell new equipment if he stayed any longer.

He’d left sweet Brenna in bed at dawn so he could run for a couple of hours before lifting weights and punching the bags. What in the hell had he been thinking to mate her? He’d stupidly thought he’d be able to do her a favor and leave town. Even now, hours later, his blood hummed for her. His fucking cock was ready to play. And something in the center of his chest hurt. Bad.

Blood sprayed as he slammed his hand into the leather.

The music cut off.

He stilled, turning only his head to see Conn leaning against the wall, arms crossed. The expression on his brother’s face reminded him of when Conn had tried to tame wild horses for a brief time. Turned out horses and vampires didn’t belong in the same vicinity.

But now, Conn was measuring how to talk to him.

That pissed him off beyond belief. “Turn the fucking music back on.” He began punching the bag again.

“No. You’re bleeding all over Kell’s gym.”

He stopped and turned. “What do you want?”

“I want to make sure you’re all right.” Conn rubbed his prominent chin. “I mean, after last night.”

Jase blinked. “What do you know about it?”

Conn rolled his eyes. “I can smell her all over you. Don’t be daft.”

“What is this, a slumber party?” Jase snorted, his shoulders tightening. “I don’t need to share, Conn. You’re going soft.”

Temper flashed through Conn’s eyes. Anticipation lit Jase’s spine. Then Conn snuffed out the fire. “I’m not soft, but you need to talk.”

Disappointment tasted like ashes. “I’m fine. We mated, she’ll be cured, I’ll get her skills, and now we have a good treaty with the witches. Simple as that.”

“Mating is never simple.” Conn kicked a barbell. A crease lined between his eyebrows. “Are you really going to leave her?”

The thought was a fist to the gut. His mind rebelled against leaving Brenna. “Of course. That was the plan, wasn’t it?”

“I thought that maybe after last night, you’d—”

“What? Fall in love and be cured? Be able to have a normal life so all of you could relax and stop feeling so fucking guilty?” The words spilled out of him, the venom burning his tongue.

“Yes.”

He curled his lip. “Sorry. We fucked, I branded her, and it’s over. Deal with it, brother.”

Conn fixed him with a look that at one time would’ve made him think twice. “Don’t talk about Brenna like that.”

“She’s mine.” Jase lifted his chin, hating himself more than Conn probably did. “I can talk about her any damn way I want.” Even so, he glanced at the doorway, his breath heating. Nobody stood there, so he relaxed and focused back on his brother.

Amusement lifted Conn’s lip. “Who are you looking for?”

Heat filled Jase’s face. “Nobody.”

“Right.” The amusement slid into a full smile. “Keep telling yourself that.” Whistling an Irish tune, Conn sauntered out of the gym.

Asshole. Jase took a deep breath. He should probably check on Brenna. Jogging toward the doorway, he rushed past the elevator to the stairs. Climbing the many stories would be a good way to end his workout.

He arrived at the penthouse sooner than he’d expected. It was quiet, so he strode silently through to peek in the bedroom. The bed was made, and Brenna was nowhere to be seen. Okay. Turning on his heel, he wandered the penthouse, finally coming to a locked door behind the kitchen. He knocked, but there was no answer.

A locked door. Why would Brenna have a locked door? Well, they were mated now, and there would be no locks. Yeah, he was a bastard. A shoulder to the edge shoved open the heavy oak.

The smell of oil paint hit him first. Ah. Her studio. Curiosity propelled him inside. Bright light cascaded in from a wide wall of windows as well as skylights. Several half-finished paintings stood on easels. Rich, full colors exploded on the canvases. Sensual and erotic paintings of silhouettes caught in passion.

The woman was incredibly talented.

He reached for a sketchbook on a battered table and flipped open the first page. His face stared back at him, so much pain in his eyes he stepped back. When had she sketched him? Considering his face bore the ever-present scar, it had been within the last couple of days. His hands shook when he flipped the top closed. She’d seen him. The real him.

God. He had to get out of there.

His phone buzzed, and he absently pressed it to his ear. “What?”

“It’s Conn. We have a report of demons being in Dublin. Somehow they got word of the contractual mating.”

The world stopped. Jase’s head snapped up and his heart clutched. “They’re after me?”

“No. Our contacts confirm they’re after Brenna.”

Terror rippled through him so quickly he swayed. Where the hell was Brenna?

 

Brenna tucked her packages under one arm and skirted a mom with three toddlers. “Thanks for coming shopping today.”

Deb nodded, her gaze on the huge Christmas tree set in the middle of a mall. “Are you kidding? I wanted to hear all about the crazy, fanged sex you had last night.”

Brenna forced a laugh. The sex had been more emotional than crazy, but it had been wild. “I have to admit, my ass really hurts.”

“The branding?” Deb asked.

“It’s a marking.” And yes, her butt burned like she’d been branded with a cattle prod. Though the
K
marking was truly stunning—and perfectly placed on her left buttock.

“Same thing.” Deb set down her many shopping bags and stretched her neck. “Are you thinking forever now with the vampire?”

Brenna shrugged. Well, maybe. It could work out, right? “No. I’m not thinking forever.”

“Liar. I know you. No way would you have slept with him without some emotion, and now, you’re probably thinking you’re in love with him.” Deb shook her head.

“I’m not in love. But he’s got a sweet side. Deep down, he’s so hurt—”

“Stop.” Deb held out a hand. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to save him. That you’re going to be the one woman to get through his hard shell and make him whole.” The words were snarky, but the concern in her eyes was genuine.

Brenna swallowed. “I don’t know.”

Deb groaned. “I knew this would happen. Didn’t I say this would happen?”

“Yes.” Brenna wrinkled her nose. “You warned me.”

“Okay.” Deb frowned and glanced around. “By the way, how did you get loose without Coven Nine security all over you?”

Now that was a good friend. One who made her point and then changed the subject so Brenna didn’t cry. “Well, the CRAP group has been taken out of the picture, and Brenna’s Warriors are no longer a threat since I’ve mated. I’m free.”

Deb hopped once. “That’s wonderful. Those stodgy bodyguards were no fun.” She glanced at her watch and frowned. “But I have to go pick up the boys at practice. Do you want to come?”

“Nope.” Freedom rushed through Brenna like a warm breeze. No more bodyguards. At least for a while. “I need to finish shopping today.”

“Okay.” After giving her a quick hug, Deb sprinted out of the mall.

There was a time when Brenna had energy. Maybe now that she’d mated Jase, she’d get her spunk back. With a sigh, she turned to finish her shopping. Store after store, she added to her purchases.

Finally, she headed to the center of the mall.

She felt him before she saw him. Slowly turning, she faced Jase, who stood looking at her with pure relief. Heat slammed into her face. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

He took her arm, his gaze sweeping the area. The relief turned to absolute concentration. “You left without bodyguards.”

Well, that was romantic. “So?” She tried to tug free, and his hold tightened.

“So?” He lowered his face, his focus suddenly on her. “You don’t go
anywhere
without protection. Got it?”

Her breath caught at the fury in his words. Then her temper sprang to life. “I believe I explained I don’t take orders from anybody. Got it?”

He stilled, though tension all but vibrated around him. “Let’s go. We’ll discuss this at your penthouse.”

“No.” She yanked free. Who the blazes did he think he was? “I’m not done shopping.”

The hard smack to her ass shocked the hell out of her. Her mouth dropped open.

A couple of women passed, and one giggled to the other, “Somebody’s been reading
Fifty Shades
.”

Brenna closed her mouth, rage shaking her arms. A blue tinge of fire cascaded on her skin to be quickly snuffed out. They were in public. But had she almost created fire?

Jase jerked his head toward a bench. “Choose. Either we go now, or I flip you over my knee and beat your ass. Then we’ll go.”

Oh. He. Did. Not
. More blue cascaded along her wrists, but she couldn’t hold the plasma. “I’d blow you up if I could.”

He grabbed her arm and tugged. “The bench it is.”

“No.” She dug in her heels. Panic constricted her airway. “I’ll go.” Then she’d teach him a lesson about bossing her around. Somehow.

“Good.” He changed directions and headed for the main exit.

She could either step in line or fall on her head. “How did you find me?”

“You left word at headquarters you’d be shopping, but you didn’t say at which mall.” Jase scanned the area, keeping her close. “We have squads heading to each one. I arrived here first.”

“I didn’t think I needed to leave my location.” The danger had been eliminated for her. A blast of energy smacked her between the eyes. She faltered. “What was that?”

Jase swore and stopped cold. “Demons.”

Fear blasted into her solar plexus. “There are no demons in Ireland. We keep them out.”

“They got in.” His jaw clenched, and he tapped an ear communicator. “Conn? I’m at the west end of the Farside Mall. They’re here.” He propelled them both into motion and toward the stairwell. “An exit to the north leads to outside parking. Backup is five minutes away.”

She tucked her packages against her ribs, fighting to keep up. “You studied the mall schematics?”

“On the way here.”

They reached the top of the stairs, and he stopped. His head lifted, his eyes going flat. “They’re up here, too.”

She yanked a gun from her handbag and tossed her packages toward the wall. Normal witches had a decent defense against the demons’ mind attacks because of the plasma balls, but she was useless in a fight right now. “I can’t create fire.”

“I know,” he said grimly, surveying the area. “What’s over there?” He pointed to a construction area blocked off by signs and strung tape.

“New stores moving in—they’re remodeling the area.”

“Good.” Taking her hand, he pulled her past the signs and under the tape. “We’ll lead them away from humans at least.” Then he tapped his ear. “Conn? We’re on the second level in the east wing. I sense three of them—maybe four.”

The oxygen in the air swelled, adding weight. Brenna struggled forward, her mind fuzzy. “They’re not attacking yet, but my head is beginning to hurt.”

He edged them along the roughly plastered wall. “Have you ever felt a demon attack?”

“No.” Her lungs heated, while the plaster scratched her hand.

“They’ll shoot horrific images into your mind, and then it’ll feel like a scalding blade is cutting your brain. The wound is not real, and you can push through the pain.” He drew a gun from his waistband and dodged into one of the empty stores.

She followed, sweeping her gun behind them. “Can you push through the attack?”

“Yes. After five years of torture, I can shield. Somewhat.”

Her ears rang. Adrenaline flooded her system. Rough walls and subfloor made up the octagonal room. Construction plastic hung from the ceiling, while toolboxes and flooring materials were scattered throughout. The smell of plaster dust tickled her nose, and she bit back a sneeze.

Jase pointed to a framed hole in the wall that would probably lead to dressing rooms. “Go in there and don’t come out until I get you.”

She shook her head. “You can’t fight three of them alone. I have a gun, and I know how to shoot.”

He whirled on her so quickly she stepped back, her ankle colliding with a stack of tiles. She would’ve fallen had he not grabbed her arm. His jaw firmed, his muscles undulated, and his eyes flattened to death. “Obey me.”

Her entire body tightened with awareness. With real fear. The vampire had morphed from man to killer within seconds. The hard face, she could handle. But the dead eyes? They broke her heart—while every instinct in her body screamed for her to run. Away. From. Him. So she nodded, and the second he released her, she scrambled toward the dressing rooms. But she stopped at the doorway, turned, and settled her stance.

The look he gave her chilled her bones.

Then the demons entered the room.

T
wo males entered first, followed by a female demon. Brenna steadied her grip on the gun. A real female demon. They were almost a legend, they were so rare. This one had the white-blond hair and black eyes of a purebred. She was tiny, but power shimmered around her until sparks popped in the air.

The two hulking men also showed their heritage with fathomless eyes and white hair. Dressed in all black, with silver emblems covering their right breasts. High-up soldiers.

The woman flashed sharp teeth. “Miss me, Jase?”

He growled low and shifted to the right, his position allowing him to scan the entire room. “No. In fact, I hoped you died when my brothers demolished the Scotland headquarters, Willa.”

The woman pouted red lips, eyes sparkling. “Such mean language after such wonderful times in my bedroom.” She flicked her glance at Brenna. “There was no way we could work out. You always did like them helpless.”

Brenna cocked the gun. What times in her bedroom? Had Jase been with this bitch?

Willa’s smile widened. “A gun won’t stop me, witch, and considering you’re at death’s door, neither will you.” She sighed. “I had hoped for more of a fight when I killed your mate. ’Tis a pity.”

Jase flashed the grin of a killer. “Jealous?”

Willa hissed out a breath. “Of what?”

Cold calculation quirked Jase’s upper lip. “Of the pretty witch I decided to mate. You know, after you all but begged for my cock.”

“I wanted your marking.” Fire lanced through the woman’s eyes. She lifted a shoulder. “Besides, I’ve had your tongue in my mouth, vampire. We both know you wanted it.”

Bile rose up Brenna’s throat, and she shoved the acid down. “The Coven Nine isn’t going to allow this trespass on our land. Get out now.”

“Do you honestly think we’re afraid of the Coven Nine?” Willa swept her hand out, and the air chilled. “We’ve never taken your land because we don’t want it.”

Fury and fear steadied Brenna’s aim. “We both know you’re afraid of the Nine. Witches can handle demons, and you know it. Get. Out. Now.”

Icicles of pain instantly ripped into her brain. She fell back against the wall, crying out. Images of tortured children flashed behind her mind’s eye. She shook her head, aimed, and fired.

The bullet glanced off Willa’s shoulder, but the mental attack stopped.

Jase jumped for the nearest guard, his knife flashing. The soldier countered, slamming Jase into plastic sheeting. Shaking off the cover, Jase dodged forward and punched the soldier in the face, kicking back to stop the other guy’s advance.

Brenna gulped down fear and fired again. This round hit Willa in the chest. The demon snarled and attacked with brutal accuracy to Brenna’s frontal lobe. The explosion in her head weakened her knees. She kept firing as she went down.

Jase bellowed and grabbed his temples. Then, straightening, he shook his head and lunged into the soldier, knife out. Quick twists had the demon on the ground with a blade sticking out of his neck. The other demon tackled Jase and sent them rolling across the floor.

The doorway filled with Kell, Conn, and Moira.

Brenna gasped in relief even as her limbs went numb. The gun clattered against the wood. She turned her head, helpless, to watch.

Willa took in the situation, pivoted, and ran full-bore for the boarded windows. Wood and glass shattered as she flew through.

Moira skidded across the room, landing on her knees to cradle Brenna’s head. “Bren?”

“I’m fine.” Brenna pushed herself to sit, heated blood sliding from her nose and eyes. “Damn demons.”

Moira slid an arm around her shoulders, offering support.

Across the room, Jase and the third demon grappled. Jase flipped the guy onto his back and straddled him, fists swinging. The demon’s cheek caved. Yet Jase continued to punch. Hard, crazy, out of control, he broke every bone in the demon’s face.

A wave of pain cascaded out, attacking, from the guy with a knife in his throat. Conn instantly dropped to one knee and shot a fierce punch to the demon’s jaw. The guy slumped unconscious.

Jase beat the downed demon, who was out cold. Blood sprayed. Brain matter oozed from the guy’s ear. With a hard look at Moira, Conn shot forward and captured Jase in a hold from behind. Jase kept swinging, struggling against his brother’s grasp.

Conn yanked him to the side and off the demon. “He’s had enough.”

“He’s still alive,” Jase growled, fighting to get back to the ground.

Conn twisted and tossed Jase into the wall. “Enough. We need to question him.”

Jase shoved off the wall, his face a brutal mask. Cuts lined his cheek and jaw, while blood flowed from a gash above his right eyebrow. No recognition lived in his eyes. Slowly, he straightened, and his eyes focused. His chin lowered. A warrior after a battle—a warrior still in the battle. His fists clenched. His body vibrated. Then, he went cold. No emotion . . . nothing.

Brenna trembled against her sister. Good God. What had she done?

 

Brenna danced on the mats in the training room, waiting for the right opening. Her sister moved to the side, so she shot in and tossed Moira to the ground.

Moira flipped to her feet. “Nice move.”

“Thanks.” Brenna stretched her neck. “You’re taking it easy on me.”

Moira shrugged. “You’re not at full strength yet.” She reached for a towel to wipe her forehead. “Do you feel any difference since the, ah, the mating?”

“Not really.” Brenna unwound the tape protecting her wrists. “Though it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours.” She glanced at the clock. “I wanted to sit in on the interview with the captured demons.”

“No, you didn’t,” Moira murmured. “Believe me, Jase had blood in his eye. Conn went only to make sure Jase didn’t kill them. Well, before we got answers.”

Brenna reached for a bottle of water. “Jase was out of control in the mall. I mean, I understand it, but—”

“Anger issues, much?” Moira tossed the towel into a bin. “He’s definitely over the edge.”

“I know.” Brenna sighed. “I feel like he’s my responsibility now. Since we mated.”

“He’s not. Your mating was arranged, and you’re protected by contract.” Moira slid into the splits, leaning her head back to her knees. She straightened up, her brow furrowing. “You’re not thinking you’re in love with the guy, are you?”

Well, she definitely had feelings for him, but they ran the gamut from desire to wariness. “I have no bloomin’ clue.”

Moira chuckled. “Welcome to matehood with a Kayrs. If we’re not confused, the earth isn’t spinning.”

Brenna paused. “Problems?”

Moira cracked her neck. “We’re all on eggshells. Rage is eating Jase, and guilt is eating the rest of the brothers. They all need an emotional exorcism, if you ask me.”

“How so?”

“Well, as king, Dage is furious the demons dared take and torture his younger brother. Dage has to retaliate, and I think he’s afraid of how far he’ll go.” Moira stretched her neck.

The king had always seemed to carry the world with ease. But when family was involved, things always got dicey. “How is Emma holding up?” The king’s mate was a kick in the pants as far as Brenna was concerned.

Moira shoved curls off her forehead. “Emma is obsessed with curing Virus-27. I’ve never seen anybody work so hard and with such single-minded dedication.”

“Well, her younger sister has contracted the virus. That would motivate any of us.” Brenna twisted her torso to release tension. “Plus, if the damn bug goes airborne, as we’re all predicting it will, then every vampire mate and witch is susceptible.”

“I know. It’s too bad we haven’t wiped the Kurjans off the map.” Fire danced on Moira’s skin.

The Kurjans were an evil vampire race, who were allergic to the sun. They had created Virus-27 to destroy vampire mates and witches by unraveling their chromosomal pairs. Vampire mates had twenty-seven pairs, while witches had twenty-eight; decrease those . . . and they could end up dead. “Good thing the virus is so slow-moving,” Brenna mused.

“Slow-moving for immortals is fast-moving for humans. The bug will kill, I’m afraid. Eventually.” Moira scrubbed both hands down her face. “It’s difficult watching Talen try to handle Cara’s illness.”

Cara was Emma’s younger sister, and she’d mated Talen right before contracting the virus. “I’m sure Emma will find a cure.” Brenna hoped. “Or Kane will.” Kane was the middle Kayrs brother, the voice of reason, and the smartest person on the planet.

“Aye, Kane will find a cure just to make sure his mate never gets infected. For a logical vampire, he has fallen so hard, it’s adorable.” Moira grinned.

“Look who’s talking.”

Moira shrugged. “Connlan Kayrs is everything I ever wanted in a mate. How could I not fall for the sexiest soldier alive?”

Now that was sweet. “So he’s doing all right?”

“No. I’m worried about him.” Moira took a deep breath. “But we’ll figure it out—we always do.”

Brenna nodded. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“You will be, too. Just as soon as we get through this difficult time with Jase. All of the brothers will relax.” Moira sighed.

“Vampires aren’t very good with the feelings stuff. If it’s something they can’t fight or kill, then it just pisses them off.” Brenna smiled. “Look at me. I’ve been a vampire mate for less than a day, and I’m full of wisdom.”

Moira nodded. “Unfortunately, I think you’ve nailed the situation. There’s a Kayrs-sized explosion coming, and I can’t tell which direction it’ll come from. I’m afraid there’s no way to stop it.”

“Well, maybe we should get out of the way.” Though every instinct in Brenna’s arsenal urged her to help Jase.

“That would be wise.” Moira stood. “But that’s not who we are, now is it?”

Unfortunately . . . no. “I have a terrible feeling I’m going to get burned.”

“Burn ’em back.” Moira’s tone was light, her eyes dark.

Not good. Not good at all.

Brenna opened her mouth to argue when Conn Kayrs filled the doorway. Tall and strong, the Realm’s ultimate soldier held presence in spades. Add in dark green eyes and a hard jaw, and he was something to look at.

His focus was entirely on his mate, amusement filling his eyes.

“Did I just hear you threaten to burn me,
Daitlín
?”

Moira batted her eyelashes and flashed him a saucy grin. “If necessary, I’ll turn you crispy.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Hmmm.”

Brenna cleared her throat, well used to Conn’s pet name for Moira.
Brat.
“Is the torture over?”

Conn nodded. “Yes.”

“And?” Brenna asked.

Conn took her measure. “There’s a ten-billion-dollar contract out on Jase—to take him alive.”

Good lord. “Billion?” The demons had some serious cash.

“Yes.” Conn eyed Moira.

Awareness prickled down Brenna’s spine. “What else?”

At Moira’s nod, he sighed. “There’s a fifteen-billion-dollar contract out on you—if you’re taken before the winter solstice. Afterward, it’s ten billion.”

Brenna coughed. “The demons believe in the damn solstice nonsense?”

“ ’Tis not nonsense,” Moira said slowly. “The Coven Nine has ignored the issue since you’ve been so ill, but now that you’re mending, we should investigate.”

Aye. Good idea.
“At least they want me alive,” Brenna said.

“Sort of. Alive before the solstice, dead after.” Conn rubbed a hand through his thick hair. “Apparently Willa is rather pissed Jase mated a witch.”

“Who the hell is Willa, anyway?” Brenna asked.

“Sister to Suri, the leader of the demons.” Conn strode toward Moira. “Willa messed with Jase’s head while Suri and one of his lieutenants spent time destroying his body.” Barely contained anger rode Conn’s hard tone.

Dread slid through Brenna. “How did Willa mess with Jase’s mind?”

Conn turned his head. “You’ll have to ask him that.”

Yeah. Because Jase was so darn forthcoming. “Right.”

Conn grabbed a pair of grappling gloves from a rack and handed them to Moira. “Let’s discuss your threat to burn me to a crisp, shall we?”

Moira grinned, blue dancing along her skin. “I’d love to roll around with you, handsome.”

“Get a room,” Brenna muttered, grabbing her glasses and heading for the doorway. Now the demons had a bounty on her head, and Jase needed to come clean with all the information. She hustled out to track down her mate.