Wayward Son (37 page)

“I told you I’d be back.” Laura tossed her bag onto the small pile and turned back to him. “Look, most of my stuff is either in storage or shipped home already. I can leave some of my stuff here for when I come back. That way you know I have to return. There’s no way I’d leave my favorite sweater with you and not come back for it, right?” She painted a cheesy grin on her face, but the desired reaction failed to manifest. She stepped closer to him and pulled him into an embrace. “I promise you, it’s not forever.”

Evan wrapped his arms around her and squeezed gently. “It will feel like it.” His whispered breath tickled the side of her neck. “It seemed like forever while you were gone searching for the woman.”

“It may have felt like it, but it truly wasn’t. I wasn’t gone but a few days.” She kissed him gently on the cheek and he leaned in closer.

“A moment away from you feels like an eternity.”

“Then come with me.” She leaned back and stared deeply into his eyes. “We can travel by night. We can hole up during the day and you can sleep.”

Evan shook his head and sat down hard. “I promised Mitchell. And my work…”

“Your work can wait.” She sat next to him and pulled his hand into her own. “Come with me, meet my father. Meet my brothers.”

Evan snorted and cocked a curious brow at her. “They’d fight each other over who got to stake me first.”

“No they wouldn’t.” She smiled at him and laid her head on his shoulder. “I told my dad about you. I’ll be honest, he wasn’t thrilled at first, but he slowly came around.”

“What convinced him?”

“Everything, I think. The fact that you’re helping us. That you don’t…
didn’t
drink human blood.”

“I still wouldn’t if there was a choice,” Evan corrected.

“I know. And as far as dad knows, you’re still
Beastia
.”

Evan ran a thumb across the back of her hand absently. “And your brothers? You don’t think they’d pump me full of hot silver the moment they met me?”

She laughed and shook her head. “They enjoy breathing too much. They know that if they did anything to hurt you, I’d kill them.”

“Ah, sisterly love.” Evan returned her smile and moved his caresses to her hair. “I really wish I could. But Mitchell thinks there’s something big brewing and wants me working on new weaponry. I really need to make that a priority.”

Laura sighed heavily and leaned away from him. “Evan, the world will always have some kind of major threat rattling its saber and threatening to destroy everything. You need to decide to live a little for yourself.” She lifted his chin with her thumb and stared into his eyes once more. “For me.”

Evan nodded and leaned into her once more. He wrapped his arms around her and enjoyed the warmth she radiated. “Maybe after a little bit, I can come out and visit you?”

She lowered her eyes and nodded, knowing that he’d never leave the safety and security of the hangar. “Sure. That sounds really swell.”

*****

A banging at the door stirred the two lovers once more. Lilith stood and wrapped a robe around her before going out to the main doors. She looked back at Samael who stood nude in the doorway of her bedroom. “I have no idea.”

“Turn them away, I need to rest this body.”

Lilith stared at the Fallen One and smiled. In the short time that he had been back, he had nearly converted the dead flesh of Damien Franklin into an exact duplicate of his old body. She marveled at his chiseled chest and abs, the strength of his arms, the corded muscle of his legs. She had no idea how he did what he did, but she didn’t care. Her angel had returned to her.

She turned toward the offending noise and strode with purpose. Reaching for the knob of the metal door, she pulled it open and was nearly run over by a burly, bearded man, a knit cap atop his head. He reminded her of the pictures she had seen of a lumberjack, only…not in this area. “Where the hell is he?”

“You need to leave. You are not welcome here.” Lilith raised a hand to grab the large man when he swatted her arm away.

“Don’t toy with me, woman. Where’s that damned vampire? He has a whipping coming.”

Lilith stared at the burly man and recognition crossed her features. “Gaius?”

“Of course, it’s me. Now where the hell is that little ghoul?” He stomped deeper into the warehouse and glared toward her bedroom. “He’s in there, isn’t he?”

“Gaius, that is no longer Damien,” Lilith purred, tugging at his arm to pull him back toward the door. “It is Samael returned.”

“That isn’t possible.” Gaius turned and glared at the door to her bedroom. “I want the ghoul.”

“No you don’t,” she chuckled as she continued to tug at his arm. “You truly need to leave and prepare the others.”

Gaius turned on her and grabbed both of her wrists, pulling her hands to her side. “I said I want the ghoul.”

“Then you shall have him!” Samael stood behind Gaius, his voice booming.

Gaius’ eyes shot wide, his muddled mind recognizing the voice behind him. He turned slowly and stared at what used to be Damien. Dropping to one knee, he lowered his eyes to the floor. “Forgive me, m’lord. I didn’t realize it was you.”

“After the lady told you? You’re either deaf or stupid.” Samael lowered his voice and approached Gaius slowly. “I can’t believe that a commander of your status to be stupid.”

“N-no, master.” Gaius prostrated himself to the floor and averted his eyes. “Please, forgive my insolence.”

Samael rose to his full height and stared down at the burly demon. “Rise, my servant.” He watched as Gaius slowly stood, his eyes still staring at the concrete floor. “You have chosen another body.”

“A strong body, m’lord. Not as well connected as the previous host, but it will work to complete our task.”

Samael smirked and slowly circled the large man. “Tell me, Gaius. Do you know what our task is?”

“To serve the lady. To aid her in taking over the world of man.”

Samael nodded his approval. “He can be taught.” Lilith fought back a smile as her lover poked the bear of a man. “How soon until your Legion is ready?”

“A matter of days, m’lord.”

Samael turned to Lilith and raised a brow. “Can you wait that long, my love?”

She strode purposefully to him and ran a hand across his chest. “I’m sure we can come up with ways to pass the time.” She bit at his ear and watched as his eyes closed in pleasure. “I’ve waited this long, my love. What’s a few more days?”

Samael turned to Gaius. “Prepare your men. Have them report here when ready.”

“Yes, m’lord.” Gaius rose and turned for the door.

“Two days, Commander. No later.”

“As you will m’lord.”

*****

Kalen slept fitfully, disturbing images running through his mind. He saw Horith and his gaping, shredded wounds, begging for death. He saw the Wyldwood and the disappointment she felt for his inability to lead. He watched Chief Jack turn his back on him for letting him down on the battlefield. Azrael turning against him because…something…something bad happened to Gideon. And it was
his
fault.

Kalen awoke with a start, his breath coming in rapid gulps, his eyes darting around. He had to take a moment to control his breathing, to force his heart to slow down.
It was just a dream. Just a dream…

“I was getting worried about you,” Brooke’s soft voice broke the silence of the darkness.

Kalen jerked to the side and stared in the direction of her voice. “Why are you here?”

She stood and walked the short distance to his narrow bed. “I heard you talking in your sleep.” She kept her voice low, whispering in the darkness. She lay down next to him on the narrow cot; the coolness of her skin wrapped in the black leather surprised him. “Actually, it sounded like you were yelling. I came to check on you.” Her hand slid up and brushed a lock of his long white hair from his face.

“I am fine now. It was just a dream.” His heart began to hammer in his chest once more but not from the fear he experienced in his dream.

“It sounded more like a nightmare to me…” She leaned closer and brushed her lips across his chin, chills covering his body as she settled in nearly on top of him.

“P-perhaps it was. I really don’t remember now,” he lied. “But I am obviously in no harm. You may return to your own room now.”

She smiled at him in the darkness and he could see her fangs extended, the shine of her lips pulling his eyes from hers. “Now, where’s the fun in that? Remember, you’re supposed to have some fun now. Break a few rules…” She leaned closer and kissed him gently on the bottom lip, sucking it ever so gently into her mouth.

Kalen’s excitement confused him. The coldness of her skin combined with the heat he felt from her actions totally confused him…but he liked it. No. If he were totally honest, he
loved
it. He tried to kiss her back and she pulled away, not allowing him the pleasure. Every time he leaned forward to kiss her, she pulled away. When he lay back, she moved forward and sucked his lip into her mouth, running her cool tongue across his flesh. A moan escaped his mouth as she probed his mouth with her tongue. She pulled his tongue into her mouth and sucked it gently. He felt the point of her fangs, and it excited him even further.

When Brooke pulled away, Kalen inhaled deeply and forced his eyes open. “Why are you doing this?”

She smiled wickedly at him and ran her hands along his muscular chest. “Because I can.” She moved in again and kissed him deeply, refusing to allow him to kiss her back. She moved her lips to his jaw, his neck and to his collarbone.

“You’re killing me here.” Kalen’s breath hitched as he spoke.

Brooke ran her hands down his chest and across his abdomen, feeling him flinch as she touched sensitive and ticklish spots. “Wait until I
bite
you there,” she whispered. Kalen’s eyes shot wide at the prospect. She continued to kiss her way down his body, nipping and nibbling at his soft flesh until she reached his abdomen. Her hands had worked their way further down and Kalen stiffened.

“Brooke…perhaps you should…”

“Shhh.” She nipped at his waist and he flinched, eliciting a soft giggle from her. She leaned up and hovered over his face, a glimmer of mischief in her eye. With one hand she unzipped her top. He could just make out the curve of her breasts although the leather still covered them. “I could just eat you up, Sugar Cookie.” She suddenly struck like a snake, biting him viciously on the neck and drawing a mouthful of blood.

Kalen inhaled deeply to scream; fear, agony and ecstasy filling his body at the same time. He pushed against her and suddenly found himself sitting up in bed. Alone. His breath came in ragged pants as he stared into the darkness. He could feel the cold sweat covering his body and his hand reached to his neck. Nothing. Not so much as a scratch.

Kalen sat on the edge of the bed and considered what just happened.
Was it all just a dream?
He stood and walked to his door. Still locked. He went to the sink and splashed cold water in his face then cupped his hands and drank greedily. Climbing back into bed, he lay in the darkness and considered the ramifications.
What does it mean? Am I attracted to her? Of course I am. She is beautiful. She is an excellent warrior. She is…lovely.

Kalen punched his pillow in frustration. How could he work with her knowing that she meant more to him?

*****

Spalding and Apollo strode out into the aftermath and reviewed the carnage. “Damn, I’m glad I’m not part of the cleanup crew.” Apollo kicked a body over, watching as it slowly transformed back to something like a human-wolf hybrid. “Ugly sons of bitches, ain’t they?”

“They aren’t so pretty in either form. They’re even less pretty in between.” Spalding keyed OPCOM and requested the cleanup crews converge on the location. He looked up at his haggard squad. “Everybody okay?”

A string of affirmatives and thumbs up settled his nerves somewhat. “Donnie, you and Sullivan double-check the crates. Make sure everything inside is no longer breathing. Jacobs, Lamb, take the main gate and escort the cleanup crews in.” Spalding made a motion with his hand to attract the attention of Second Squad. Keying his throat mic, he announced, “We’re mopping up down here. Keep your eyes and ears open and do not secure your stations until the cleanup crews are finished.”

“Roger that,” Bravo Four was the first to respond. The other two chimed in as well.

Spalding turned and began walking toward the main warehouse. “Brother, how about you point me to Sheridan’s personal stuff and then you need to disappear before the cleanup crews arrive.”

Apollo stood tall and nodded. He inhaled deeply, the scent of spent gunpowder still lingering in the air. He glanced about the site then back to Spalding. “I’m really going to miss it, ya know.”

“I know. Once an operator, always an operator.” Spalding turned and walked slowly with him toward the main building. “But they meant it, buddy. No popping up on radar. No mercenary stuff. Just…disappear.”