Grave Secret (42 page)

His nod was somber. “Wait—what do you mean other travel companions?”

“Old Father rarely leaves Beltania these days, even for clan business. When I leave the city, my aunt assigns one of her husband’s clansmen to act as my guard. Deinopidae males are rather physical males. You’d think I’d have tempted one…” I sighed. “Consider the kisses I’ve missed.”

I have gone mad. The strain of capture has taken its toll. Think of who I’m tempting. Think of whose attentions I’m inviting. Think of those soft lips of his. One last chance to taste them…

Tonight we fought for our freedom. If we lost…I wanted to know this male’s kiss.

Vaughn cleared his throat. “We could make up for lost time.”

“You’d do that, for me?” My smile was impossible to stop. I should be afraid—of him, of this night, of the outcome of two bound prisoners against a score of Theridiidae. “How kind you are.”

But I wasn’t afraid. Vaughn’s presence enveloped me, kept me safe against all odds. My skin tightened and my head ached as I was forced to consider perhaps it had never been him I feared, but his effect on me. Tradition demanded I save myself for my soul mate. My heart, well, it was less inclined to wait. With no visible aura and no possible future, I gave myself to this moment.

Vaughn closed the distance between us. “This is not the first kiss you deserve.”

“Who said this was my first?” I was a warm-blooded female and males had interested me.

His brow furrowed. “You’re Salticidae.”

“I am.” I wished my hands were free to shape his broad shoulders. “I’m also waiting.”

“Then we’re even.” His head lowered. Our breaths mingled. “I’ve waited for this.”

Surprise parted my lips, and he claimed my mouth with hunger that sank into my bones. One brush of his lips and I was lost. His tongue traced the entrance to my mouth, seeking permission I granted by inclining my head. Desire fogged my mind, the low rumble in the back of his throat making tension coil low in my stomach. Our bodies pressed so close, I realized how well we fit.

The thrust and glide of Vaughn’s tongue mirrored the erotic turn of my thoughts. No. I could not indulge in this male when I had one of my own somewhere. When the gods brought my soul mate to me, I would not go to him sullied or disgraced for being so weak I gave away my virtue.

Suddenly the bite of rope on my wrists was a welcome reminder of our circumstances. Over the pounding of my heart, I heard his raw breaths and saw wildness glint in his eyes. I withdrew.

If our display hadn’t earned us the full attention of our guards, I might have considered a roll in the snow to cool the heat making it hard for me to breathe. Gods’ web he had my mind dazed.

“Don’t stop on our account.” Urien winked in a too-familiar way. “Pretend we aren’t here.”

“How can she?” Teilo snorted. “You’re staring a hole through her blouse.”

Urien’s brows slanted. “It’s not my fault if she likes males to watch—”

A lone howl rose over the noises of our procession. The mournful song was lifted higher by another voice and then another until a chorus of melancholy descended around us. From the edge of the woods, a black wolf sauntered. Behind him, a dozen more eyes gleamed gold and furious.

Several Theridiidae males huddled around our group for a better look at the canis.

“You there, Walker, come here.” Torrance waved me closer. “Is this some trick of yours?”

“Despite rumors to the contrary,” I assured him, “I know no tricks.”

“Leave her be.” Vaughn stared at the alpha. “I doubt they cross the veil. Animals avoid it the same as we do. Their presence is a good omen. Consider their song a parting gift from the pack.”

“I’ll consider it what I like.” Torrance glared at Mana. “If I find out this was your doing…”

“Believe what you want.” I gritted my teeth. “Small minds can’t be changed.”

Torrance slapped me across the face before I could react, and my lip burst.

“You struck her.” Vaughn took a slow step toward Torrance. “I will kill you for that.”

“Back off now or I’ll lop off that ring finger of yours, send it and your signet to your mother. Bet Isolde would love that.” Torrance smirked. “I know my maven would.”

Muscle worked in Vaughn’s jaw. “Take it. I have nine more where it came from.” He swept his leg out, knocking Torrance’s legs from under him. The male hit the ground with a groan, and Vaughn knelt on his windpipe. Even with his hands cinched behind his back, Vaughn was lethal.

“You drew first blood,” Vaughn snarled in his face. “Remember that.”

“Get off.” Urien cuffed Vaughn upside the head and sent him sprawling onto his back.

Wheezing, Torrance turned onto his side, shoving up onto his hands and knees. “Kill him.”

The guards exchanged a look as my heart lurched.

“Are you so eager to go to war with the Mimetidae?” I asked him. “Your maven has begun a battle she can’t hope to win with the Araneidae. After this, the kidnapping of Lourdes’s beloved sister a second time by your clan, she will call in all favors and enlist all her allies to destroy you.”

A moment passed. Torrance swung his head toward me.

“You know I’m right.” This time his clan had gone too far. “While the Mimetidae must fight for the Araneidae, those are the terms of their alliance, think how much hotter their tempers will flare after learning you not only kidnapped their ally’s second heir, but murdered their heir too?”

“She, ah, has a point there.” Urien scratched the stubble on his cheeks.

“Leave the decision to our maven,” Teilo chimed in. “After the grief these two have caused, I doubt Colleen would deny you the right to carve justice for your wife’s cousin from his flesh.”

“Heed the counsel of your peers,” I said. “Your maven won’t thank you for making her an enemy in Isolde. Few are more ruthless than the Mimetidae maven, and none are bloodthirstier.”

“Fine.” Torrance pushed to his feet and glared at Vaughn. “Pray your mother comes quickly for you. If she is a day late or one gold coin short, I will have your head for what you did today.”

“I see no reason for us to hide behind our mavens. If you have a score to settle with me, free my hands.” Eagerness made Vaughn’s dark eyes glitter. “Let us settle our grievances here, now.”

Blood draining from his face, Torrance said, “No. The female is right. You’re worth more to my maven alive.” He cleared his throat. “For the time being, your neck is safe. Don’t tempt fate.”

Once Torrance had gone, and Teilo with him, I could breathe again.

“You kept my head and neck attached for another day.” Vaughn eyed the veil. “Thank you.”

“Repay me by not provoking Torrance again.” My nerves were already frayed as it was.

“I will keep you safe.” Danger sharpened his voice. “No matter the price.”

I shut my eyes, fearful of what surviving might cost us all.

When every night is a battle for survival, love is an endangered species.

Night Whispers

© 2012 Alisha Rai

ShadowLands, Book 1

Analyst James Bennett has spent the years since humankind fell victim to the Illness living underground. Part of an elite group of survivors determined to save their race, his only interaction with the blood-drinking Shadows roaming the Earth is through surveillance technology carried by his team of search-and-rescue agents. Scarred by vicious events, he has no desire to leave the safety of his bunker for the dangerous world outside—until he recruits a tough, haunted young woman clear across the country.

Former gang member Jules Guerrero learned two things early on: the value of loyalty and never backing down from a fight. Both of those teachings come in handy now that her job description includes protecting humans and kicking Shadow ass. But it’s hard to keep her mind strictly on her mission when all she can think about is the man whose voice keeps her sane through the depths of each dark night.

When Jules is captured and threatened by a rogue organization even more bloodthirsty than the Shadows, James must draw on all of his courage to fuel a furious cross-country chase through the lawless land…before the Jules he loves is destroyed forever.

Warning:
Contains a hero who would fight monsters for his love, a heroine out to save the world, a treacherous wasteland, poetry as foreplay and flesh-eating enemies.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Night Whispers:

“You’re not stupid. Not in the slightest.”

Her smile was without humor. “Yeah, okay.”

“You aren’t.” The certainty in his voice nearly convinced her.

“Please. I’d almost rather go running into certain danger than head home because I’d be less lonely. If that doesn’t make me stupid, what does it make me?” She regretted the bleating, overly introspective words as soon as she uttered them.

“Human. We’re social creatures, Jules.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, forget I said anything.”

“You know I’m always here. You don’t have to be lonely.”

So selfish: it wasn’t enough that he was on call around the clock for her, accessible at the touch of a button. She wanted to be able to reach out and tap him on the back whenever she needed him. Grab his arm. Run her fingers over his lips—

You need to stop those fantasies, kiddo.
If there had been a hope in hell that he’d fall for her the way she had for him, she’d made it even slimmer tonight with all her bleating. “I know.”

“I didn’t know you were so unhappy.”

“I’m not.” Why would she be unhappy? She had food in her belly and a really fulfilling job. To be unhappy would be monumentally ungrateful. It wasn’t like she deserved anything more than what she had.

“Tell me what would make you happy.”

You. Someone of my own.
“I am happy.”

“I’m not.”

She blinked.

“I should be,” he continued huskily. “But I’m not.”

“Why not?” He had everything. Family. Friends. Sure, they lived in a bunker, but at least he lived with them.

“For the same reason I guess anyone’s unhappy. Something’s missing.”

She drew her knees up to her chest. “Do you know what’s missing for you?”

He paused. “Yes.”

“What is it? Can’t you fix it?”

“Sometimes it’s easier to know what’s causing the void than to go about fixing it.”

He was absolutely right—those were two entirely different beasts.

She could, of course, tell him. Go past their constant flirtation and make it clear that somewhere along the line she’d developed feelings for her long-distance colleague.

Like a movie, she could see a split screen in her head of the two scenarios that would result: A) he would fall to her feet in worship or B) he would rebuff her. Gently, because that was his style. She wouldn’t lose him because he had no choice but to interact with her, but she’d lose this—these late-night conversations, the thrill of flirtation, his friendship.

The risk of B was too great to conquer the reward of A.

“I know exactly what you mean,” she murmured. It was still dark outside, and her internal clock told her there were hours to go before travel was safe. She lay back in her bed, unsure of what else to say to her handler.

She should hang up with him. But it felt nice to talk to him like this, in the dark, when the world was so quiet and uncertain all around her. A chill ran through her, and she wished she had a blanket. She’d been tempted to grab a comforter from one of the rooms in the house she’d broken into. They’d felt like silk and hadn’t been too dusty. Since the owners of them had probably died or been turned, Jules felt skeevy about using the belongings she found in her temporary abodes, though occasionally needs won out.

A change of subject was called for. “You never told me what you dream about.”

“What’s that?”

“Quid pro quo, right? I show you mine, you show me yours? I more than showed you mine,
güey
.”

“Oh. Um. I was joking.”

“You shouldn’t throw out jokes unless you’re ready to back them up with action,” she teased. “Come on, now.”

“Nah. I don’t dream, not really.”

“Now who’s lying?”

“Lots of people forget their dreams,” he protested.

“Not you. You’re too detail oriented and aware of everything to shut yourself down at night.” No, there was something he didn’t particularly want to tell her. He was rattled, and like always, it tickled her. “Tell me. Is it unicorns? You dream about unicorns, right?”

“Yes. Unicorns. I love ’em. They prance through my sleep on cotton-candy clouds.”

“Or maybe you dream that you’re naked in front of a crowd and you have to recite the Gettysburg Address.”

His voice deepened. “Occasionally, I am naked, no lie.”

Jules licked her lips. How he could send her from despair and sadness to laughter to arousal with simple changes in pitch and tone was beyond her. “Is that right? Well now, that image is sure to haunt me.”