Endless Chase (24 page)

He shuddered, blocking last night from his mind. That was not a memory he wanted to revisit anytime soon.

Could he even eat food? He knew that Delight and the rest of them could consume small amounts, but not much. He knew he needed blood. His stomach clenched and his teeth began to ache.

He raised the pads of his fingers to his mouth, stroking the fangs that now protruded from his gums, as the need for blood built.
Bloodlust.
He’d heard his brother-in-law and the rest of them speak of it, but he hadn’t really understood it until now. It was like a living, breathing beast inside him, demanding satisfaction.

He wanted Katya.

His cock stirred to life and a low growl came from deep in his chest. He wanted to climb on top of Katya, bury his cock in her delectable body and fuck her until she screamed with pleasure. Then he wanted to drink from her while she fed from him.

His balls drew up tight at the mere thought. Oh, yeah. He wanted to thrust into her over and over, feel her cunt clench around every inch of him, drawing it out until neither of them could stand it any longer.

If she were still here, she’d be under him now. But she was gone.

Why had she left? And, more importantly, where was she? He rubbed his hand over his chest, feeling the ache in his heart grow larger with each passing moment. He’d 125

N.J. Walters

known she was going to run. Sensed it last night, but he’d been too damn sick to keep her here. He knew she felt that everything was her fault, and it was to a certain extent.

But he understood why she’d done it. When it came to his family there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to keep them safe or to avenge them.

Besides which, the maniac vampire and his minions would have turned up here eventually. At least with Katya’s help, they’d had a warning and a chance to formulate a plan of attack.

A knock came on the door and Chase stared at the thick oak panel. He wasn’t in the mood to see anyone. Before he could reply, the door was shoved open and Lucian strode in, closing it behind him. Sighing, he leaned against the headboard, knowing he wasn’t getting rid of his brother-in-law until Lucian had said whatever was on his mind. Luckily the tented covers hid his erection.

“How do you feel?” Lucian carried a large mug in one hand.

“Like I’ve been run over by a truck,” he automatically replied. Lucian raised his brows in question and Chase shook his head, really taking stock for the first time. “I feel tired, but other than that, not too bad all things considered.”

“You look good for a man who was shot in the chest last night.” Lucian sat on the edge of the bed and held out the mug.

“Coffee?”

Lucian shook his head and it was then Chase smelled it.
Blood.
It tantalized his nostrils, teasing his senses. Intellectually, he knew his family survived on blood, but actually wanting it was hard for him to reconcile.

“Sip slowly,” Lucian advised. “It would be easier if Katya was still here, although she probably wouldn’t be able to feed you after last night.”

Chase had the mug to his lips but lowered it without drinking a drop. “What do you mean?” Worry for Katya spiked through him.

“She had to give you quite a bit. You’d bled heavily and her blood is not as potent because she’s a hybrid.”

“What happened?” He needed to know exactly what had gone down last night. He knew Katya had told him some of it, but his memories were fuzzy. Most of what he remembered included him puking up his guts, and that was a road he didn’t want to go down ever again if he could help it. Other than that, he didn’t remember much from the time he was shot, only bits and pieces.

“Drink.” Lucian waited until Chase had taken a sip before continuing.

As his brother-in-law told him everything, Chase drank. At first it was hard to swallow, his mind rebelling against drinking blood even as his body craved it. He stopped after a couple of mouthfuls to let it settle in his stomach, which lurched when Lucian told him how Katya had let down her guard, opening herself up to all of them in order to save Chase. He knew that would have been extremely hard for her after the incident with Stefan. Yet she’d done it. For him.

126

Endless Chase

“I talked to Cassidy and he said that Katya came back and dumped two suitcases and a body for us to deal with.”

“Who?” Chase felt his entire body begin to vibrate. At first he didn’t know what was happening. Then he recognized the emotion flowing through his veins. Fury. While he’d been sleeping the day away, Katya had been out slaying enemies, pushing herself, draining her energy to protect him.

It wasn’t to be borne.

She was his. It was up to him to protect her, and as soon as he found her he was going to make her understand that fact even if he had to lock her away somewhere to keep her safe. Lucian was still talking to him, but he hadn’t heard a word the man had said. “What was that?”

Lucian shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll talk more later. We don’t know the exact extent of your powers, but you’ll learn. I’m very interested to see if you can tolerate sunlight like Katya can.”

It hadn’t even occurred to him, until Lucian brought it up, that he might not be able to go out in the sun again. He swallowed heavily. The sun and the light were vital to him and to his art. But, he realized in that moment, Katya was more important than any of it. He’d live in darkness forever if it meant he could be with her.

“Why didn’t Cassidy keep her here?”

Lucian stood, staring down at Chase. “Cassidy is a human and Katya is part vampire. There is no way he could have held her without hurting her.”

A low rumble, much like a growl, rose from deep in his belly. Chase felt the hair on the back of his neck stir. He’d kill anyone who hurt her.

Nodding, Lucian crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought you’d feel that way and so did Cassidy. She was gone before he could even think to follow her.”

“How am I going to find her?” Desperation was beating at his brain. He had to find her. The fact that she was out there, alone and possibly weak, hurt him more than any physical injuries could. For better or worse, Katya was a part of him.

The corner of Lucian’s mouth tilted upward in a lopsided grin. “You’re a vampire now, Chase. Or at least a hybrid one. Her blood is in you. Yours is in her. Seek her with your mind. The connection is there.”

Why hadn’t he thought of it? It was so simple.

“What about your brain tumor?”

Chase sensed Lucian’s hesitation, his reluctance to intrude. He focused inward, his consciousness centered on his brain. He sensed nothing out of the ordinary. “I feel good.”

Lucian raised his hands. “May I?”

He nodded, needing to know for sure. Lucian moved closer, placing the palms of his hands on the sides of Chase’s head. He felt a burst of heat permeating his skull, 127

N.J. Walters

seeping into his brain. Lucian smiled and stepped away. “Your sister wants to see you before you go out. I’ll tell her the good news.”

Chase nodded absently. He sensed Lucian leaving, but the reality of his room seemed far away. His mind was already flaring outward, journeying beyond the confines of the walls surrounding him, searching for Katya.

Like a hound dog sniffing out a scent, he raced through the night, never hesitating, never deviating from his path. He found her in the most unlikely of places. She was staying in the small house next to the old church just beyond the village. He could sense her presence there, knew she was breathing slow and deep, locked in sleep.

For the first time since he’d wakened, Chase felt the panic that had welled within him begin to recede. He hadn’t even realized he’d been in such a state until he’d felt it loosen its grip.

Lifting the mug, he drank the rest of the blood, felt it soaking into his cells, rejuvenating him. He set the mug down on the bedside table and looked down at his chest.

There were only a few puckered scars there and some redness. It would probably fade completely in a few days. So he healed like a vampire, just not as quickly. Good to know. Kicking the covers away, he swung his feet around and let them hang off the side of the bed. Supporting himself on the mattress, he stood.

So far, so good.

His first step was tentative, but the next one was surer. He felt…fine. No, he felt better than fine. His muscles were fluid, his body strong. Raising his arms over his head, he stretched. Satisfied that everything was functioning properly, he headed for the shower. After last night, he needed to get cleaned up.

Then, he was going in search of a certain woman, and this time she wouldn’t get away from him.

Katya’s stomach growled, the noise startling her. When had she last eaten? She tried to remember, but couldn’t. Unlike a pure vampire, she needed a certain amount of human food, along with blood, to keep her functioning properly.

She knew it was just past sunset, but she wasn’t sure what day it was. Had she slept the day away, or had it been longer? It felt strange to just lie here knowing that, for the first time in a year, there was nowhere she had to go, nothing she had to do. Her existence had been so focused for the past twelve months that she didn’t quite know what to do next.

She tried to remember what she’d done before that fateful night of her parents’

murders, but it escaped her. Things had been so much simpler then. Different. So much had changed, including her.

Rolling over onto her side, she let her eyes roam over the tiny bedroom. It was sparse, with just the bed, a small chest of drawers and a straight-back chair. The drapes 128

Endless Chase

were drawn tight over the window and the door was closed. Katya could hear Father Patrescu rummaging around downstairs in the kitchen.

She was putting off the inevitable and that wasn’t like her. She normally met the world head-on, doing what had to be done. First thing she needed to do was grab a quick shower and change her clothing. She was still wearing Chase’s shirt over her ripped one and leather pants, which felt dirty and disgusting. Then she’d need to get something to eat, gather her belongings and head back home.

But where was home? She’d traveled the globe this past year, never staying anywhere for long. The thought of returning to her family home in Russia didn’t appeal to her. It was no longer a haven, no longer felt as if she even belonged there. She’d changed too much to fit comfortably back into her role as daughter and doting sister.

But Sasha was just a boy and he needed her.

A tear trickled down her cheek. She wasn’t a daughter anymore. Her parents were dead. “I have avenged you,” she whispered. Katya wished she could feel her mama kiss her forehead or her papa swing her in his arms just one more time, but that would never happen.

Tossing back the covers, she rose from the bed. Father Patrescu had laid her pack and her duffel bag by the end of the bed. Once again, she said a prayer thanking whatever force had led her to this man. He’d been such a help to her and a comfort.

Grabbing both bags, she opened the door and went down the hallway, finding the bathroom. Ten minutes later, she was clean. All the blood that had stained her body was gone, washed down the drain. It was too bad that she couldn’t cleanse her mind and soul as easily. Dressed in fresh clothing, she gathered her belongings and made her way down the stairs to the kitchen.

Father Patrescu sat at the table, a mug of steaming coffee in his hands and a plate of sandwiches on the table in front of him. “Good. You are awake and hungry, yes?”

“Yes.” She laid her bags by the door before pulling out the chair across from him.

“Thank you.”

He waved away her thanks, motioning for her to sit. When she was settled, he pushed the plate of sandwiches her way. “It is ham and cheese. I wasn’t certain if you could eat this or not. I have tomato soup on the stove as well.”

The soup sounded better. It would be easier on her body. “I’ll get it.” Jumping back up from the table, she found a bowl and another mug, dishing up the steaming soup and pouring herself a mug of coffee. Settling back at the table, she picked up her spoon and began to eat. “How long have I been here?”

The priest’s eyes widened. “Just for the day.” He glanced at the clock. “Perhaps seven or eight hours.”

She nodded, letting the warm soup slide down her throat. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”

“It is nothing.” He waved away her gratitude.

129

N.J. Walters

Placing her spoon back in the bowl, she pushed it aside, unable to take any more of this man’s hospitality. “It is something. You have no idea what I’ve done.”

“What have you done, child?”

It all came pouring out of her in a torrent of words. She told him everything that had transpired since she’d left him last evening until she’d shown up at his door earlier today. He already knew the rest. She was crying by the time she finished, big gulping sobs that hurt her chest.

Arms came around her, cradling her, lifting her, and she knew that she and Father Patrescu were no longer alone, hadn’t been alone for quite some time. Chase was such a part of her now that his presence hadn’t really registered, although subconsciously she’d known he was there.

“Katya,” he breathed her name into her hair as he kissed the top of her head. “My poor Katya.” Chase held her tight, cradling her in his arms.

She shook her head. She didn’t want his pity. She didn’t want anyone’s pity. “It was my choice.” She sniffed back her tears and swiped at her eyes, hating her weakness.

“Not weak,” he whispered in her ear. “Human.”

She tensed in his arms, realizing that he’d read her thoughts. “But I’m not human.”

“Just because you’re extra special doesn’t mean you’re not still human.”

“Extra special,” she snorted. “I’m a hybrid vampire.” Chase’s gaze shot to the priest and Katya immediately understood his concerns. “Father Patrescu already knows what I am.” She turned to the priest. “Father, this is Chase Deveraux. Chase, this is Father Patrescu.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Chase.” He stared at the younger man. “You are from Dalakis Castle, are you not? You are as Katya is?”