VampireMine (5 page)

One the pack knew little about.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

When they got wind of what had happened, the shit was
definitely going to hit the fan. He wasn’t sure how things were going to go
down from here. He and Nathan had planned on preparing the pack for their big reveal
after they exposed the truth to his friend and the Omega of the city, Diskant
Black. Circumstances, as they often did, altered his strategy.

He’d have to come up with a different arrangement.

Something he—and the unraveling woman in his arms—could live
with.

“Sadie.” He glided his fingers into her hair and cupped the
back of her neck. Then he let her go and brought his other hand to her jaw,
using the backs of his knuckles to lift her face toward his. “Look at me.”

His heart sank when their eyes met.

Her irises—normally as vibrant as the sky on a cloudless
summer day—had dulled over.

She’s staring right through me.

Acting in the only way he knew, he gently cradled her face
and brought his lips to hers. She smelled so fucking enticing, wildflowers with
a dash of incense. Their mouths met in the barest of touches, a mere whispering
of contact. Still she didn’t react, motionless as a statue. He upped the ante,
bringing the hand nestled in her hair down and around. Grasping her ass, he
yanked her hips to his. His desire for her hadn’t diminished, his cock was
thick and fully engorged. He let her feel the entire length, rolling his hips
for added measure, sliding his dick up and down her leather pants.

Her lips parted and he accepted the invitation, guiding his
tongue into her mouth, keeping things slow and sensual. As much as he wanted to
pin her to the floor and fuck her hard and fast—leaving her marked with his
scent and branded by his teeth—it wasn’t the time or place. She needed to be
lured from the darkness that held her. He groaned when she placed her hands on
his biceps and squeezed, her sharp little nails digging into his skin.

That’s it, baby. Just like that.

Kneading her ass, he rotated slightly, trapping his cock
between them. It didn’t take much—a slight lean to the left, a footstep to the
right—to position the bulging length firmly against her pussy. Her soft little
moan nearly undid him. His wolf howled in victory and tried to take control.
Trey prevented it, keeping the animal in its place.

This was how he remembered her—responsive and soft, sweet
and sexy.

Hell yes.

“Please.” She gazed into his eyes, words raspy. “Tell me
this isn’t a dream. Tell me this is real.”

“It’s real, darlin’.” If he could have taken away all of her
pain, he would have. He wanted to do whatever it took to make things right
between them. “I’m right here.”

He pushed her to the closest wall. Once there he released
her ass, lifted her right leg and hooked it over his hip. He brought his hand
to the apex of her thighs, cupping her cunt. What he found sent a sharp spasm
from his balls to the head of his cock. Heat radiated from the area he palmed,
warming his hand. If it weren’t for the clothing between them she’d have
drenched his fingers.

“I’ve waited so long,” she whispered, eyes closed. “I’ve
wanted this so bad.”

“Rock against me.” He rubbed his hand over the area,
applying pressure. It wasn’t possible to find her clit. Her leathers were too
tight, covering her too fucking well. He let her guide him where she needed him
to be. Paying attention to her ragged inhalations, he let her thrust against
him. She keened when he hit the right spot, snapping her hips. “Damn. That’s
good. There you go. That’s my girl.”

As she leaned forward, combing her fingers through the hair
at his nape, he knew what she wanted. He turned his head, bearing his neck,
inviting her bite. Last time her fangs had ripped a hole in his ass. He hoped
this time she’d take more care. Her slick and clever little tongue bathed his
flesh, lightly skimming over the area. Then he felt her teeth score his skin.
There wasn’t pain. No burning pangs as she sucked. Not this time around.

Holy shit.

It was lust to the millionth power, slamming into them both.
Not only did the wolf howl through his head, the damn thing felt as though it
were right there with them enjoying the moment. It shouldn’t have been
possible, yet somehow it was. His own canines lengthened, his wolf-half wanting
to mark her as his for the entire world to see.

No, not yet.

He felt her desire, could smell how wet and ready she was.

He’d give her this. Hell, he fucking
owed
her this.

His mate came with a lengthy groan, her entire body going
taut. Shock tore through him when his sac tightened. He yanked away from her,
the tip of his jutting erection aimed at the wall. His cock jerked and he
followed her right over the edge. Stroking his length, he bent his head,
allowing the release to flow through him. His spine tingled, dick pulsing with
each jet of his seed against the cream-colored wallpaper. It wasn’t what he
wanted for their first time but he’d take it. So what if he’d lost control like
a horny kid? This was what he needed. What he’d ached for.

Next time, he’d do things right.

They were both breathing hard when she pulled her fangs from
his throat. She nursed the area she’d bitten, taking her time, lapping at the
punctures. A part of him resented his ability to heal. In his dreams her
ministrations went on forever. If he’d been human she’d have needed more time
to close the wounds. As it was, she stopped after only seconds.

He heard a car door slam and within seconds Nathan burst
through the door. Trey turned his head, meeting the Beta’s damning look. “I
know you’re pissed but you’re going to have to get over yourself. The sooner we
get to safety, the sooner we can find Leigh.”

Nathan heaved the clothing and boots in his hands to the
floor. “Then I suggest you put your clothes on.”

Trey almost moved away from Sadie—almost. Then he recalled
how he’d trapped her before, using his touch to prevent her from phasing away.
The moment she’d broken free, standing several feet away, she’d vanished
without a trace. He couldn’t trust her not to run and he wasn’t sure what was
going through her head. Even if she had to come to him for blood to survive, he
needed her help if he was going to assist Nathan. The Beta wouldn’t let this
go. He’d do whatever it took to find Leigh, claim her and keep her by his side.
The man’s patience only went so far.

“Take her,” he instructed Nathan, moving Sadie from the
wall, hating the confusion that swept over her face. “Don’t let her go.”

“What?” Sadie finally spoke, sounding clearheaded.

Trey forced her into Nathan’s arms. “I mean it.” He guided
one of Nathan’s hands to Sadie’s waist and then his other to her throat. “Don’t
let go. No matter what she does.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” She struggled, fighting
for her freedom. The smell of her anger suffused the air. “How could you? After
what just happened between us? You selfish son of a bitch!”

Guilt did come but Trey pushed it aside. “We’re going to
Diskant for assistance,” he said as he retrieved the clothing and footwear and
started to dress. “He’s got security posted around his compound. Aldon’s not
stupid enough to fuck with an Omega. He might be able to get the jump on a
shifter but he can’t surprise the only one of us who can change at will.”

“So you’re going to tell the pack?”

Trey stopped buttoning his jeans, peering at Sadie across
the distance.

He heard the desperation—the fucking hope—in her voice.
Emotions he’d caused by his callous treatment of her. Was he going to tell the
pack? Eventually. But he had to be certain he was fully prepared for the
aftermath. Some serious shit could very likely go down. Since the Shepherd
attacks everyone remained on edge. He didn’t have the balls to look her in the
eye and say that, so he bent at the waist and tugged on his boots.

“I have to talk to Diskant first. We’ll have to discuss how
we want to handle the issue.”

“The issue. Of course.” There it was again, that god-awful
deflation in her tone. He resented the hell out of it, even if he understood.
She didn’t trust him, not one bit. And he didn’t blame her. “Well then,” she
continued, “I’m sure you understand I have issues with my coven to address. You
need to let me go. I have to tell them what’s happened.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, baby, but if the coven
really gave a shit Leigh wouldn’t have had to come to us for help.” Nathan
quickly tied his boots and stood. “I got the impression she was afraid to.”
Able to meet her gaze, steeling himself for the hatred he expected to see from
her, he was surprised to see a flicker of remorse in her eyes. “Do you really
think they’ll help you or her?” he queried gently. “Do you think they’re more
capable of protecting your friend than we are?”

“Diskant Black will never agree to help me or Leigh.” She’d
stopped fighting Nathan, passive in the man’s hold. “I’m the enemy, remember?”

“You saved his mate’s life,” Nathan reminded her. It was an
important detail. “Ava means more to him than anything. Without you he’d have
lost her. He owes you and he knows it. His pride won’t allow him to turn you
away.”

“If you say so.” She lifted her arms in mock surrender. “You
don’t have to hold me. I’m not going anywhere. We have the same agenda.”

“If you say so,” he chimed, throwing her words back at her.

Her glare of sheer disdain wounded him more than a solid
punch in the gut ever could have.
Fuck it to shit
. He’d meant to be
playful, not push her buttons. He approached her, strides steady. Once he
reached her he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. He knew it pissed her off
when Nathan let her go and Trey pulled her into his arms but fuck if he cared.
She was here, in his world, where she belonged.

He wasn’t letting her go.

“Until I know that for sure,” he lifted her from the ground
and marched toward the door, “I’m not letting you out of my sight.” Glancing
over his shoulder, he told Nathan, “Get her amazing Ginsu knife and bring it
along, would you?”

“What are you? A caveman?” She snorted and shook her head,
waves of her thick blonde hair cascading down her back. “Why don’t you just
drag me out of here by the hair?”

Maybe he was a bastard for laughing but who could blame him?
His mate was feisty, smart and ballsy as hell. The pack had no idea how lucky
they’d just become. This woman wouldn’t back down from anyone or anything,
including him.

Striding for the car, he bent his head. “I’m going to be
whatever you want me to be, Sadie. No more running away. No more bullshit.
You’re mine, darlin’. All mine.”

“Barbarian,” she huffed, sounding indignant.

“If that’s what you want.”

Nathan opened the door and Trey sank into the passenger
seat, situating Sadie on his lap. He gave her hair a soft yank, chuckling when
she wriggled her ass against him. His body responded, the wolf reminding him
they’d yet to fully stake their possession over her. The quick and sensual act
against the wall had only been a prelude of what was to come. He wanted to see
his female beneath him, her blond hair fanning over the pillows, and look into
her eyes when she came next time.

Soon.

Even with danger knocking at their door—despite the threat
of Shepherds, Aldon Frost and everything else he had to deal with—the future
looked brighter than it had in weeks.

A multitude of thoughts ran through Sadie’s mind as she
tried to formulate a plan. Nathan had been correct. The coven wouldn’t have
come for her. Even if Leigh had pleaded Sadie’s case and attempted to sway them
to take up arms for the cause, they weren’t strong enough physically to face a
threat. As a whole, her sisters-in-magic weren’t the most powerful nest of
vampires in the world. That was the reason they’d approached her so long ago.
Up until then Sadie had remained with her family in Alaska. Many supernatural
creatures lived there, in a place far from mortal society.

She recalled accepting their offer, bidding her mother and
father farewell, knowing there was a decent chance she’d never see them again.

Some vampires attached themselves to covens. Others—who
found their brides or grooms and wanted to live their lives in
harmony—generally floated from place to place. She’d assumed that one day she’d
see her parents again but there was no guarantee. The opportunity to live her
own life had been too tempting, so off she’d gone in search of adventure and
her own place in the world.

Leigh.

That poor girl’s situation had been so different. No one
knew who’d bitten her, changed her and left her to face the transformation
alone. Anyone else probably would have died. Leigh’s heritage—one she didn’t
know about—and having mage blood advanced the transition.

Much like Ava Brisbane…

Diskant’s mate was telepathic but Ava’d had no idea of her
mage heritage when Sadie had mentioned the possibility to her. The Omega’s
partner had seemed confused, wanting to know more before Sadie had been forced
to leave. Often mortals with abilities didn’t know they came from a magic
wielder somewhere in their bloodline. It wasn’t unheard of for traits to skip
generations and manifest decades later in family trees.

A nagging feeling ate at her gut.

Had Geneva—the leader of the coven and vampire in
charge—known what Leigh was capable of? Had the secretive and oftentimes bitchy
head of their nest suspected something? Usually the coven voted on who entered
their home. With Leigh, Geneva had simply held a meeting, told them of the
young girl and her circumstances and pretty much welcomed the fragile vampire
into their domain. It wasn’t unheard of but it was suspicious. Not to mention
Geneva had seemed too protective of the girl—encouraging Leigh to stay indoors,
indicating it was good that she take her time to accept what she’d become.

Recollections of her meetings with Geneva flashed before her
eyes.

Her leader had seemed so intent on destroying Aldon the last
few months. Sadie agreed a rogue vampire was a danger but what if there was a
reason behind Geneva’s fear? What if Leigh somehow played a key role in
Geneva’s plans? All of the members of the coven had secrets. Despite their
bond, they didn’t share everything. Their leader was more aloof than most,
appearing mostly when the coven gathered to address issues.

They lived under the same roof. How often did she really see
Geneva?

Her heart raced and her palms went clammy.

Not much.

Driving for several miles, they came to an enormous set of
gates in the middle of nowhere. Nathan rolled down the window, said something
to the man who approached the side of the car and suddenly the mechanism
keeping the barrier in place parted wide. Nathan drove past the guards, hands
clutching the steering wheel, his knuckles almost white.

Like it or not, her heart went out to the man.

He’d said Leigh was his mate. She hadn’t wanted to believe
it but his behavior told her he hadn’t been lying. He hadn’t spoken as they’d
driven, jaw clenched, eyes pained. She knew how possessive and protective
werewolves were of their females. Before Trey, she’d thought nothing could keep
a shifter from its mate.

Maybe Trey hadn’t meant to be a total douchebag.

He’d been drunk as hell when he’d attacked her harshly with
his words. Maybe she’d gotten it all wrong. Maybe there was a reason they’d
found each other again.

Or maybe your brain is fried and you can’t think worth a
damn.

Listen to yourself. Yuck, yuck, yuck!

“Promise me you won’t run.” Trey’s unexpected rasp against
her ear sent a prickle down her spine. All of her mental observations flew out
the window. “If you do, I don’t know what’ll happen. Think about the people
this could impact. Not just Leigh. Not just me and you. This will hurt everyone
in the pack, including men, women and their children.”

Damn him.

The magic words—women and children.

White mage vampires never harmed the innocent. It went
against everything they stood for. Knowing she could be the cause of suffering
sent a pang through her chest. Once again she didn’t have much choice in her
decision. Hurt others and save her own ass? Or stand and face the firing squad?
Neither option seemed all that promising.

Her word meant everything to her so it wasn’t easy to
whisper, “I promise.”

Putting her thoughts on hold, she surveyed her surroundings.

Well, well, well. Trey hadn’t been kidding.

Diskant Black had pulled out all the stops. She wasn’t able
to see the shifters guarding the area but she sensed them. An enormous house
appeared in the distance, large enough to be a freaking mansion. A building had
been erected nearby, possibly for livestock, although she didn’t see Diskant
Black as much of a cowboy. The man liked to ride motorcycles, not horses.
Glistening water reflected rays of the sun, drawing her eyes to a swimming
pool.

Damn. The sun.

Unlike stories depicted, she could venture out in the day.
All vampires could. But the sun drained their strength quickly and their skin
had a definite aversion. She’d been shielded inside the vehicle but that would
all end once they climbed out of her Camaro. If necessary she could bear the
rays for up to an hour, but no more than that.

Relief rushed through her.

Thank Goddess Leigh had driven Sadie’s vehicle when she’d
gone to see Nathan and Trey. The windows were properly tinted, keeping her safe
as she drove around New York and the surrounding areas. If it had been any
other mode of transport she probably would have been forced to duck and hide in
the back.

Where was the fun in that? She had the best seat in the
house.

She flexed her ass. Trey rewarded the movement by squeezing
her thigh. He’d been hard as a baseball bat when they’d first settled in the
car. Slowly his erection had stopped poking her buttocks. Now, however, she
felt the hard ridge resurface.

Her eyes drifted closed.

She’d waited so long to feel him lodged inside her. After
seeing him fully nude and witnessing his impressive build, she knew he’d have
to force his way into her body. Once there she’d feel every single inch, his
thickness more than enough to tease her pussy. She’d come harder than she ever
had in her life, she was certain.

Trey chuckled and she winced. Rookie mistake. He could smell
her arousal.

Stop acting like a horny teenager!

Nathan pulled to a stop several yards from the domicile and
cut off the engine. “We’re here. Get your shit together. It’s game on.”

Before they made it from the car, Diskant Black appeared.
Huge, foreboding, angry. He stormed toward the vehicle with a tiny pixie behind
him. He stopped moving and spun around to face his mate, his shoulder-length
dark hair whipping around his face. Ava didn’t back down, her blue eyes
blazing, short blonde hair with pink tufts scattered all over her head. She
placed one hand on her hip and rested the other over her slightly bulging belly
as she gave him hell.

Dread swamped Sadie, giving her an ample dose of fear.

She hadn’t known. She’d had no idea.

No wonder the Omega seemed so pissed.

The last time she’d seen Diskant’s mate she’d been slim and
teeny. Not so much now. With her petite size, it was easy to see her condition.
Ava—the tiny female who’d brought the most powerful shifter in New York to his
knees—was pregnant.

“I told you!” Ava snapped, easy to hear as her voice rose.
“She’s not a threat. I listened to her the moment they arrived at the gate.”
Taking the hand from her hip, she tapped her temple. “I’m able to do that,
remember?”

Considering her age and experience, Sadie didn’t usually get
embarrassed about sex. But knowing Ava had heard her thoughts about Trey made
her cheeks burn hot. She knew the tiny female was powerful telepathically but
she’d never imagined she could listen in to others’ minds from such a long
distance.

Then she remembered the locket she’d learned was in Ava’s
possession.

How could she have possibly forgotten something so
important?

With a zephyr Ava’s powers would magnify tenfold. No wonder
she’d been able to hear Sadie’s thoughts so easily. Craig Newlander—the master
of the Villati who researched and stored information about the paranormal
world—had told her that Ava possessed the thing. Apparently Aldon had been too
late to get his hands on the relic. Sadie decided it was for the best. Ava
wasn’t power hungry enough to unlock the darkness of the magic and Diskant
could keep his mate—and therefore the locket—safe. She’d thought it was the
proper place for the mystical thing.

Before she could dwell on her monumental slip-up Trey opened
the door and climbed out of the car. Guards appeared, all of them armed with
weapons. They surrounded the three of them, eyes darting from the Omega and his
mate to their unexpected guests. Sadie’s senses went on alert. The sun did
drain her but with Trey’s blood she’d be able to protect herself. She gauged the
threat, thinking of who she’d take down first. She wouldn’t kill them but she
could cause enough damage to keep them down.

“She knows about me,” Ava continued, pointing a finger at
Diskant’s chest. “She can answer so many questions I have. You will not send
her away. She needs our help. Stop being a Neanderthal and pull your head out
of your ass.”

“I guess Ava told you we were coming?” Trey asked, seeming
totally at ease.

He cautiously lowered Sadie to the ground. She wondered if
he’d put space between them. He’d indicated he wouldn’t unless they were pried
apart by a tire iron. Their bodies brushed and she felt her feet settle against
the hard earth. Ready to step back, she gasped when he took her hand and twined
their fingers together.

Holy shit.

That was a public display of affection and he’d done it in
front of everyone.

“What are you doing here?” Diskant snarled, whirling away
from Ava to face the car. “Isn’t there a pack meeting you’re supposed to be in
charge of?”

“Cade’s got it covered,” Nathan replied, maintaining his
sense of calm. “We had to come here. You need a heads-up about some serious
shit.”

“You know better, Trey.” Diskant’s fury didn’t ebb, his
irises prismatic as they shifted into various colors. “You know not to bring
danger to this place. I’ve killed men for less.”

“Diskant.” Nathan inserted himself into the conversation.
“You should listen to him. Don’t let your temper override reason.”

“If I want your opinion,” Diskant rounded on the werewolf,
“I’ll fucking ask for it!”

“Take a chill pill, D,” Trey said. “We’re not the enemy.”

“Like hell you’re not!” Diskant snarled.

Shit.

Tempers would only escalate. Sadie knew that. She’d been in
the middle of enough conflicts with her coven to see where things were headed.
Diskant would defend his interests. Trey and Nathan would do the same. There
was one way to communicate everything that had happened and show Diskant
everything he needed to know. But that would require taking an enormous chance
with her coven, Nathan, Leigh’s life and Trey’s future. Even if she showed
Diskant the past in images, would it be enough to persuade him to help?

She glanced at the enraged male.

He wasn’t functioning on a sensible level. He was in full
protective mate mode.

How could she take such a plunge if the reward wasn’t worth
the cost? What if her plan backfired and she didn’t avoid a fight but
instigated one?

What other choice do you have?

A yank of her hand was all it took to get free. Her fingers
slipped from Trey’s and she stepped away. She phased the moment she was no
longer physically tied to him, reappearing behind Diskant. She grasped the
ginormous man’s arm, collected her thoughts and sent them into his mind.

For the first time he’d see Ava’s attack through Sadie’s
eyes. It wouldn’t be pretty. Ava had almost died thanks to Shepherds. When
Sadie had given her blood to survive, her intentions had been pure. There had
been no agenda. No hope for a debt owed. She’d done it simply to give Ava
another lease on life.

Once those memories had passed, she allowed other memories
to rush into Diskant’s head. She showed him why she’d had an interest in Ava in
the first place, clarifying the reasons their paths had crossed.

Ava’s amulet.

The zephyr.

When she’d tracked Aldon, she’d discovered he’d been after
something valuable. It had taken time but eventually she’d uncovered what the
vampire had wanted—the zephyr Ava possessed, cleverly hidden inside an amulet
passed down from Ava’s mother. With it he could kill millions of people.
Control the world. Dominate everyone and everything he pleased.

Holy fuck!
She heard Diskant’s thought, felt his
alarm.

Relieved he was finally getting the picture, she redirected
her thoughts to her capture and rescue and the threat Aldon posed. Making sure
she included every single moment so Diskant could see who he was dealing with—a
vampire undaunted by shifters. She made sure she added Nathan’s link to Leigh
in her thoughts, hoping that the Omega—even if he didn’t have any sympathy for
Sadie’s position—might soften when it came to the other couple.