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Her screech cleaved my head. I winced and grabbed her from the blanket, lifting her to my chest as the Vampire came closer.

  “When are we getting out of here?”

  He bent at my feet and secured the chain once more.

  “They need food. I need food. I’m not like you. I’ll…”

  Die. I couldn’t speak the word. He rose from the floor and stared at the babe in my arms, and then met my gaze. There was a moment where I saw life, and then it died under a lifeless sheen. Stone…that was what this connection felt like—cold, emotionless, stone.

  I would find no food with these creatures, and no comfort. I was here to perform a duty—I dropped my gaze. Thorn sucked in a breath. Her belly bowed. The tiny hiccup tore free, followed with another.

  “Shh, it’s okay.” I sank to the floor and cradled her head against my chest.

  They couldn’t die. They were immortal. Those words rang inside my head as I reached for the water.

  I brushed her belly, smooth strokes from the underside of her chin all the way down her chest and then found her brother. He nestled in hard, cold nose poking, prodding—but not as wet as it’d once been.

  I unscrewed the lid of the bottle and poured a trickle into their mouths, moving from one to the other until the bottle was empty and then glanced to the last bottle left.

  My hand shook as I reached for it. My breath was harsh, lips dry and scaled. Tiny sips, that was all I needed...tiny sips. I wet my mouth and the water slid all the way down. I fought the need to gulp and pulled the rim away.

  “We sleep, okay? Just gotta pass the time.”

  I took turns rocking them slow and steady, until my arms could take no more. An ache spread from my pelvis and found a home in the small of my back. I shoved against the floorboards, leaning to one side and then the other. But there was no comfort here. I eased Thorn onto her back; she curled against her brother. Both of them mewled and kicked as I lowered my head to the floor. I curled my arm around them. Warmth spread from soft fur against my belly. My forearm rasped against cool scales. I spread my hand wide and slipped fingers between her spines, holding as much of her as I could.

  We slept like that, passing hour after hour, and then woke for tiny sips. My hand shook as the day grew long…unable to grip the bottle. I splayed my fingers, shaking the nerves alive.

  But it’s not my nerves that are the problem, the doctor in my head whispered. I tried to shut that voice down, pulling away, finding strength where there was none before, and eased the bottle to Thorn’s lips.

  She took a hungry gulp. Her cry of despair stabbed the air as I pulled away.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my words husky and dry.

  I twisted the cap and eased the half-filled bottle to the floor. “We need more.”

  Fire lashed my throat as I found the Vampire in the corner. “I’ll die.” The rasp was all I could manage.

  But I knew in my heart they didn’t care.

  I eased my eyes closed and tried to sleep. But the darkness lingered at the edges of my mind, teasing me with clear blue waters and the hope we could somehow survive. I lay like that, dropping over onto my back, and then to the other side.

  Footsteps came closer… I jerked my gaze toward the sound. “Get away from them.”

  They couldn’t have them…couldn’t touch them…

  Harsh breaths filled my ears as the sun sank.

  “Outside?”

  I lifted my head…even that was an effort.

  “Do you want to go outside, Doctor?”

  I licked my lips and weakly nodded. The Vampire sank to the ground and worked the shackle on my leg. The sting was instant. Hard edges rubbed my skin raw. He took a step away, waiting for me to rise. But my body was slow to move. I dragged in the dust-choked air and walked my hands backwards, and then pushed.

  My balance was off, falling too far left and then right. I gripped my knees and pushed. The air was colder as I straightened, rushing into my mouth, stealing the tiny traces of moisture.

  I swallowed and nodded. My steps were slow, and the door seemed so far away. The sun was darkening as I stepped outside. I stumbled for the closest tree and worked the button, yanking, and then pulling. Something came away, hitting the ground at my feet. I probed the opening on my slacks…the damn button was gone.

  My fingers shook as I stabbed the zipper. The goddamn button brought me undone. I couldn't think…couldn’t move, only grasp my damn waistband and shudder. Slick tears fell slow and heavy and some part of me knew I hadn’t the water to waste.

  A high-pitched howl tore through the darkening sky.

  Wolves…

  I shoved my pants down and squatted. Twigs cracked at my right, and then my left. I whipped my head toward the sound and waited for the gush, but there was only a trickle that burned. I yanked my pants high and made for the door, fumbling with the zipper.

  I expected a rush of alarm. A closing of the ranks. I expected an all-out war as I threw myself through the open door. But there was nothing more than the endless quiet of the undead.

  “Is that them?” A hiss seeped free. I licked arid lips and tried again. “Are we safe here?”

  My captor turned to stare at me. His bitter words rang clear. “None of us are safe, Doctor. We haven’t been for a very long time.”

  He followed me, back to the shackle and the chain. My slacks stuck to my skin as he tightened the bolt. I dropped to the ground and pulled the hem free from underneath. There wasn't enough light. But I could feel. The demarcation was raised and hot. Pain lashed my ankle as the metal found its place.

  Infection. The word filled my head, and left. I’d die from thirst before I had to worry.

  A sickly sweat broke out along my brow, but I hadn't the energy to wipe it away. Cramps stabbed low in my belly as I eased my head to the ground. I waited for the wolves or death to come—one would beat the other.

  “It’s going to be okay,” I whispered and closed my eyes. It’s going to be okay.

  I couldn’t even spin the lie. Sleep rushed over me, hard and fast, taking me under without a breath.

  A cry came hours later, small and feeble… Footsteps followed. I strained to open my eyes.

  “They’re mine.” A deep growl savaged my throat.

  A hawking cough followed. Something rattled deep inside, shaking lose my demons. It was Powell who leaned over and peered at the bundle in my arms.

  “You can’t have them.” I yanked them against me. “Mine.”

  The cry grew silent. I closed my eyes, listening to the hard rattle in my chest. One more day, I promised… One more day.

  I forgot who was coming…I forgot why I was here.

  But I never forgot them. I closed ranks, nestling my face against slick skin and soft fur. Something sharp pierced my arm; the pain was instant, driving away the fog from my head. I dragged my arm away and swiped the floor above me, hitting something hard, before it toppled and rolled.

  Water, the word rushed to the surface. I slapped my hand, finding the edge and pulled the bottle close. Fresh air burned my arm…the wound open and raw. She didn't know… I gripped the lid with swollen fingers and twisted.

  “Here you go.” I fumbled for her head and felt for her lips with my fingers.

  Water sloshed, some spilled, racing down my arm. My tongue was thick, finding the hard rasp of my lips. I dropped my head and lapped what was on my arm, then cupped her head and tried once more.

  I gave her all I could, pouring and holding, changing one baby for the other, until the bottle ran dry.

  One more day, I dropped my head to the floor.

  A savage whip of agony ripped through my side, somewhere deep…two tiny heart shaped organs came to mind—but I couldn’t find the name.

  It didn’t matter anyway. I closed my eyes. In this moment, I was no doctor, no scientist… I wasn't even a woman—I was dying.

  Sunlight glared, sending sparks behind my eyes. Footsteps followed. Flashes of movement, dragging open my eyes. Their d
eep growls surrounded me, some turning loud, insistent.

  “…do you hear me, Doctor?”

  I opened my eyes and blinked. A solemn gaze held mine for a second before his darted right and then left. Lips moved barking orders—blond hair…that’s right…he turned those dark eyes back to me.

  “Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”

  I nodded as a heavy thud filled the room. Inch by inch I shifted my head to see the cabin doors slam shut.

  Dark shapes filled the room. The movement shoved sleep aside. I lifted my head, and then my body. My thoughts were slow to come.

  “You’ve served me well,” the blond murmured with a nod to the undead at his side.

  “It was an honor, Gabriel,” he answered and then turned his gaze toward me.

  For a second I didn’t know him, until he moved, swaying into the splash of light. He was the Vampire from the car. He dropped his focus to the floor at my side. My hand twitched, wanting to draw them close.

  “We will hold them off for as long as we can,” he growled.

  His chest swelled. Dark eyes bright and clear. This was a battle cry of the ages…one I would remember for the remaining moments of my life.

  Thorn kicked and mewled as I reached for her. The tip of her wing grazed my hand. I knew her little body better than I knew my own. I caressed every scale, hummed every tune.

  “Give me a weapon,” I forced the words and met Gabriel’s eyes. “Give me a weapon and I’ll fight.”

  Thin lips curled at the edges. Something I said was funny to him. One slow shake of his head sent those sandy curls in flight. “We have no weapons, Doctor…we are the weapons.”

  The tips of white fangs peeked out from under his lips. His answer was some kind of command as the rest of them moved, fanning out to surround me and the babies on all sides.

  “They’re closer,” one whispered. “So they’ve come, our Prince has truly fallen.”

  Gabriel splayed his fingers; long tapered nails glinted in the light. “We don’t know that, and I refuse to believe. Not until they show me his head on a spike.”

  “The demons.”

  I whipped my head toward the voice in the back of the room.

  The blond lowered his head. His spine wasn’t so straight in that moment. His voice not so calm. There was a tremor that ran through each undead in the room.

  “He can survive,” Gabriel murmured. “The Princess did, so our Prince can as well.”

  “You know she is different,” another to my right joined in. “You know she is not the same.”

  All eyes snapped to the far wall as Gabriel answered. “Not the same, no. But at least she is still alive.”

  They were puppets on a string, all moving with the same slow motion as they turned their heads. I strained to listen. But the slow, quiet thud in my ears was all I heard.

  A hiss came from Gabriel, low, dangerous, sending chills along my spine. The chain rattled as I climbed to my feet. I grasped Thorn and my boy, watching as each Vampire followed an unseen enemy.

  The snap of a twig ripped through the air. I stabbed my lip with my teeth, stifling the cry and cradled my babies closer. We’re going to be okay…we’re going to be okay.

  Thorn let out a yelp, and then a purr.

  All eyes snapped my way.

  “Keep them quiet,” Gabriel mouthed the words.

  I pressed her head into my chest, muffling the sounds, and dropped my head to hers. “Shh, we’re okay.”

  I barely mouthed the words, but the air inside the cabin turned hostile. Fear raced like a current in the air, raising the hair on my arms. My boy wriggled, pushing against the pressure.

  A low snarl slipped through the cracks to my right. I wrenched my head toward the sound and stared through the cracks in the wood. They were out there, circling us like prey, and for the first moment in my life, I saw how fragile mortal humanity was.

  I’d never survive—not an attack—not even time.

  I’d never be anything but a minor insignificance, one that would die in a cabin in the middle of nowhere…or one that would eventually fade away.

  That hopelessness opened up its hungry jaws ready to tear and shred, and leave nothing behind. My arms tightened, drawing my babies closer. The darkness couldn’t have them…it couldn’t touch them.

  “You’re mine,” I whispered, and the sound carried.

  You’re mine…

  Something moved outside, cutting through the sunlight, something big and black. A menacing sound followed, low and feral. I closed my eyes as the sound came again, piercing the cracks in the wall and what little armor I had left.

  “Henrik.” Gabriel turned his head to the right. “May the darkness grant you peace.”

  A Vampire to the front of the pack gave one small nod.

  “Caspar, my friend.”

  The Vampire beside Gabriel nodded, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared. I sucked in a hard breath and felt the burn.

  Gone…just like that…gone… I’d seen men turn into hulking wolves with long fangs and thick winter fur. I’d even see a young girl shift into a bear—but thin air was another thing…

  A howl cut through the air from outside—the sound short and sharp, ending on the cusp of the sound.

  “Vane and Tarouin,” Gabriel murmured and they too left the room unseen.

  I understood now. This creature was sending his men to their deaths. My pulse thundered, picking up pace as Gabriel turned his head.

  And for a second those bottomless eyes held a spark of life.

  But why? Why bring us here…why risk their immortal lives? I dropped my gaze to Thorn and my boy and knew in my heart these Vampires were not fighting to the death to protect me.

  Desperation surged like a molten lava of need. I found my Vampire protector, licked my parched lips and nodded. Savage snarls found me filled with hate and hunger.

  I gripped my babies close and listened to the screams of Gabriel’s men.

  They were fighting out there…they were dying.

  A snarl slipped from my lips. Hate rose on trembling legs and steadied herself in my skin. They would die…and so would I…

  But my Thorn…and my boy…they would live.

  5

  Michael

  “Are you going to pretend I’m not here?”

  I lifted my focus from the sink and stared into Xael’s red-rimmed eyes.

  Her plate sat on the counter, covered with foil with her name written on it in block letters. We had all eaten, but I had cooked especially for her. “I was just trying to be polite.”

  Her lips curled back into a sneer. Pain flared, biting deeper than I could hope to understand. Her lips trembled with the sudden breath. “You’re always polite, aren't you? Always quiet, always the good guy.”

  A tear slipped from the corner of her eye—she caught its fall with the swipe of her hand.

  I said nothing, for nothing would ease her pain, certainly not hollow words of comfort. Our family was gone—searching, hunting—and Xael and I were the only ones left.

  They needed me here—I stared at our sister—she needed me here, and she was far too fragile when there were babies concerned…

  Men went to battle, but women—women like my sister and Joslyn, who felt too much, who cut too deep, and sank too low into the dark depths of despair—those women went to war.

  “I should be out there with Joslyn,” my sister snarled and glanced to the makeshift door. “She’s wounded…she’s goddamn human. She’s out there looking for the babies, and I’m…”

  “Joslyn is where she needs to be, and you’re where you need to be. We have a duty to protect those who are here.”

  No one dared demand Joslyn stay here while they searched. Not even Zadoc could make her stay. So she left, along with the others.

  I didn’t blame her. No one wanted to stay here, not when the emptiness was consuming and hopelessness raged.

  So when Joslyn and the others left, a plan was made with
those left behind.

  For the first time in over four thousand years, we were making our presence known.

  The Guardians were here to stay. We were here to protect, and we were here to take back what was ours.

  We’d lean on every Alpha, and every Prince, Princess, and the Gods above if we had to. They would all know the truth—when you hurt one of us—you hurt us all. We’d leave no stone unturned, and no pack unscathed…wolf, bear, panther, or even the bloodthirsty Hellhounds themselves.

  The Huntress reared in my mind. I clenched my teeth. No one would grant her sanction, and we’d never give her peace.

  We are coming for you. There's nowhere you can hide.

  Lucas, Bastian, Orlando, Isaiah, Byron, and North had set out the moment Gunny's car left the drive, and so far we’d heard nothing from anyone.

  But we would. It was just a matter of time.

  I pressed the cloth into the corners of the pan and scrubbed…because this was what I could do, tend to the wolves, comfort my sister—I glanced to the mobile on the counter—and wait…goddamn wait.

  You should be out there…you should be with the rest of your family. The holier than thou words echoed. I swallowed and focused on the steel.

  “Don’t you care that the babies are gone?”

  Do you? Do you even care?

  I lifted my head to the wolves that remained. They lingered at the corners of the room, too scared to move or say a word, especially when the Scorpion was ready to sting, and answered in kind. “You know I do. How can you ask such a question?”

  “Because…” Her eyes widened, and her breath hitched. “Because.”

  Because you’re you…

  I slid my hands from the sink and reached for the towel. “They’ll find them.”

  Three long strides and I skirted the counter. She was a ball of steel, tight, hard, impenetrable. I grasped her shoulders and pulled her close. She smelled of lilac and earth and rage…

  “They will find them. Look at me.” I caressed her chin and gently lifted. “They will never stop.”

  Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You think so?”

  And underneath all the power and the stony facade of this deadly four thousand year old Guardian, there was a woman, no more and no less fragile than the next. I tightened my hold, pressing her face into my chest. “I know so. They will tear this world apart to find them.”