She waited, stalling now before she left. The sun climbed higher, touched her skin right through the thin cotton of her clothing. A wide-brimmed hat and her dark glasses provided relief. Still, Shea sensed it was safer to stay among people as long as she could; until her weakness left her she had no alternative but to seek rest in her darkened camper in the shade of the woods.
There was a push at her mind, a familiar path she recognized instantly with relief. Shea merged with Jacques. He was weak, what little strength he had leeched away with the rising of the sun. Shea was angry with herself for not making the effort earlier to reassure him. She should have known that he would feel her fear even from a distance.
You are well?
Yes, Jacques. I’m sorry I didn’t check in.She made an effort to stay calm and hide her alarm from him. The last thing she wanted was for the wild man to attempt to rescue her. And she knew he would. He -would kill himself trying to get to her side.
You are in the sun. I feel your discomfort. Itwas a reprimand of the sort she was becoming used to. The arrogance of command was creeping more and more into his voice ashis health improved.
She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and took the plunge. There was one of your kind here. At least I think he was your kind.
His reaction was explosive. Hot fury, fear for her, an almost uncontrollable jealous rage. Jacques forced himself to remain silent and hear her out. He knew his volcanic, intense emotions frightened her. They frightened him. Emotions were unfamiliar to him and could be overwhelming at times.
He recognized your scent, even called you by name. He demanded to know where you are. Please be careful, Jacques. I’m afraid I left you completely helpless. I think he’ll search for you.
Did he touch you? Take your blood? Thedemand was imperious; she felt his black rage beating in her head.
She touched her hand to the oozing wound on her neck. You would have known,she replied soothingly. Some of his helpless fury dissipated. Where are you?
I am safe for now, but he’ll hunt me this evening, I’m certain of it. I don’t want to lead him back to you.
You will return this night to me. Straight to me. He cannot be allowed to touch you, cannot exchange blood.
I’ll be fine. It is you who must be careful, Jacques.She tried to reassure him. I’mafraid for you, afraid I will lead him to you, or while I’m gone he will find you.
You do not understand the danger you are in. You must get to me.
Shea might not fully comprehend, but she could feel his conviction, his fear for her, and she shivered, remembering the strength in the stranger’s grasp, his hiss of deadly promise. Don’t worry, I’ll come right away. Go to sleep now, Jacques. This is draining for you.
Shea.There was a moment of silence, of longing. Come back to me. If you believe nothing else I have told you, believe I need you.
I promise.Shea put her forehead down on the steering wheel. She was so tired, and her eyes were swelling. The tinted windows in the cab helped to prevent blisters on her skin but wouldn’t for much longer. Her body was slow and clumsy, only hope the vampire was already in his lair and unable to see where she went.
She drove into the mountains. At first, to save time, she took the road, driving as fast as she dared on the winding dirt track. When the sunlight became unbearable, she made her own road, following a deer trail, always climbing, seeking deep forest. The heavy canopy of trees gave some relief from the unrelenting sunlight piercing her skull. When her body was simply too heavy, she pulled into a particularly heavily wooded area and dragged herself into the camper. She had just enough energy to lock the door and place the pistol beside her hand before her body became lead. She lay as if paralyzed, her heart beating fast, terrified by her own weakness.
She needed Jacques, needed to touch that core of unbelievable power in him. She needed to touch his iron will. Shea pictured him in her mind, found it slowed her heartbeat. If she could just hold him, feel his arms around her. And then somehow, incredibly, she could feel his arms, all corded strength, closing protectively around her, hear his heartbeat, strong and steady, matching the rhythm of hers. Shea brushed his face with her fingertips, her eyes closed, her mind on every detail of his sensual features. They slept apart yet together, the uncomfortable sleep of mortals, always aware of the danger surrounding them, always aware of the leaden paralysis of their bodies. Shea, for the first time, experienced the power of holding a mind merge, of never being alone, the strength that came from two beings connected.
The long day passed slowly, the sun moving across the sky, shining brightly, hotly, then retreating just as slowly toward the mountains, sinking gracefully and colorfully into the sea.
The cave, only a few miles from Shea’s cabin, was far beneath the earth. The narrow passage leading to the maze of underground chambers and steamy pools was twisted and nearly impassable in spots. In the smallest cave, beneath the rich soil, a single heart began to beat. Dirt spewed like a geyser, and Byron burst from deep within the ground. There was that brief moment of disorientation, and then his body shimmered, dissolved, became a mist streaming through the passageway and out into the darkening sky. Immediately the mist formed a large bird, and strong wings lifted the streamlined creature into the sky. It circled the vast forest area, high above the canopy of foliage, then took off as if shot from a bow.
Jacques, alone in the cabin, felt the disturbance even within the confines of the four walls. He felt the power vibrating in the air and knew something dangerous was searching for him. He kept his mind perfectly patterned as a human, aware if the other probed, he would believe the being in the cabin was human. He felt the dark, winged shadow pass over him, the swift intrusion of another in his mind, and then the being was moving away.
Jacques?Shea’s query was soft, worried. He is close by.
She read his mind easily. Jacques wanted her with him, close, so he could protect her, so that no other male would presume to claim her as he had. He feared if she returned to him, she would come straight into the vampire’s trap, yet Jacques could not bear the separation, could not leave her unprotected. His mind was beginning to crumble, fracture, and his need of her was great.
Shea leapt from the camper and flung herself into the driver’s seat. Iwill be with you soon.She felt his smile all the way to her heart. Jacques was beginning to remember humor. You really like that I go my own way and make my own decisions, don’t you?she teased him, wanting to keep his mind as stable as possible until she was with him to give him an anchor.
Do not bet on that, little red hair. Instant obedience is the ideal.
You wish.Shea found herself laughing in spite of being afraid. It was silly to feel so lighthearted when they were facing danger and a difficult move ahead. Where could they go on such short notice? By the time she reached the cabin, three or four of their precious hours would be lost.
Jacques stretched slowly, cautiously. His body protested sharply. Pain had been his world for so long that he allowed it to wash over him, through him. He could live forever with pain. He could not live without Shea. He dragged himself to a sitting position. The room lurched, spun crazily before righting itself. Almost immediately he could feel warm, sticky blood running the language of his people. He knew pain intimately, had forgotten gut-wrenching agony. It did not matter. Nothing mattered but that he protect his lifemate.