The Vampires were territorial too, and they didn’t abide rogues. The bastard who’d turned Kira couldn’t exactly take her back to whatever hellish nest he’d made and introduce her to his other children. Not anymore. Part of Lorn wasn’t sorry about that. There was no telling what kind of abuse she might have suffered under a master’s guidance.

Money wouldn’t be an issue. He had plenty of it, and so did Davis. The two of them would make sure she had access to funds. They might be able to buy her some remote home, but how would she feed? Livestock? Who would care for them while she slept during the day?

Frustration rose again as he kept moving, carrying her closer to his second home. Then he remembered…

Ravenous.

He’d almost forgotten about the long-gone clan member with stronger Vampire traits. Decker had made some bargain with his mother, allowing her and Ravenous to live in the territory. The money Decker had been paid to accept that family had helped bend those rules, like he bent so many others. Ravenous had enough Lycan blood to withstand the sun without any ill effects but he needed to drink blood, as well as eat food.

He didn’t know where Ravenous had gone but he could try to search for him via the internet.

The tale had become near legend about how two full-blood Vampires had arrived in their territory some years ago from another country. Decker hadn’t given a shit that they were ignorant about the war or that they’d inadvertently broken the pack. He’d just ordered them killed. Ravenous wouldn’t stand for it, and he’d helped them escape, leaving with them. He was obviously sympathetic to his father’s people. Rumor had it that he’d threatened to challenge Decker.

It had been one of the few times Decker had backed down. It meant Ravenous was strong and fierce, because their clan leader was a mean son of a bitch.

Lorn glanced at Kira’s upturned face. She was too attractive for his peace of mind. The concept of asking another man to take her under his protection wasn’t easy to swallow. Ravenous might feel the desire to keep her as his own in ways that had Lorn clenching his teeth. Jealousy rolled off him in menacing waves.

He’d always heard good things about Ravenous, though. Not from any of Decker’s supporters, but that just meant he must be honorable. It would be best to send Kira somewhere she’d be safeguarded, even if it was into the arms of another man.

“Fuck,” he hissed. The urge to kill something struck hard and fast.

Lorn glanced at the starry sky, grateful it was still a few hours from sunrise. But summer was almost upon them and the days getting longer and longer. Kira had always seemed fragile but never more so than at that moment. One touch of the sunlight would sear her beautiful skin, blister it, kill her. She would be virtually defenseless while she rested during the day. Old Vamps could move around under shelter when the sun rose, but the recently turned were weak and comparable to a newborn in that regard.

He reached his property with a sigh of relief and sped up into a light jog. The den was hidden from everyone in the clan with the exception of Lavos. His parents didn’t even know where it had been built. Lorn wasn’t stupid enough to trust his father, and whatever his mother knew, she might unwillingly share with her mate through their bond.

His parents wouldn’t be happy with him away for days. There were duties expected of him, especially with Decker and his enforcers on the run from the GarLycan leader, Lord Aveoth. It had become Lorn’s job to calm anyone anxious over the situation and keep the peace amongst the clan members. Nabby had tried to start plenty of fights but he’d backed down with Lorn standing in his way.

He scanned the area but nothing seemed out of place. He slowed his pace as he jumped from one large rock to another, not touching the ground to leave behind no trace. He paused near a circle of huge boulders and shifted Kira to hang over one shoulder, freeing his hand. He jumped atop one of the boulders then dropped down. There was a space between the boulders where he’d hidden the opening to his den. He reached under one of the bushes he’d planted, found the release, and dug his fingers inside. The latch popped and it automatically triggered the cage to silently rise from below ground. Dirt and part of the bush remained on top of it.

It rose out of the earth until a latch caught along the bottom, holding it in place so he could step inside the narrow but tall steel box. The springs would prevent it from falling too fast when he stepped on the release. He made sure all of Kira was contained inside then stomped down, there was a slight click, and the elevator lowered.

The night sky disappeared, along with the fresh air when it took them completely underground. He stepped out into a narrow tunnel, only pausing to lock the cage in place. No one could spring the latch from outside now. He strode forward as the floor steeped lower until he reached a metal door.

He appreciated modern technology and battery-operated devices. He punched in the code after touching the faceplate to activate the lights on it and the inner lock released, admitting him into his secure den. It felt chilly inside and pitch dark. He turned to throw extra bolts that couldn’t be accessed from the other side, sliding a thick bar across the door as a final safety measure.

Claws couldn’t breach the four-inch steel that surrounded the den from floor to ceiling. Air vents dug below ground for long distances made certain they’d never suffocate. He knew the small space so well that he walked to the table in the dark, gently placing Kira down. She remained too still and unresponsive for his liking. The light on the wall was easy to find as he flipped on the battery lamp.

She had grown unnaturally pale and he crouched down, studying her features. It was part of the change.

“My poor sunshine.” He flinched, realizing he had to stop calling her that. His pet name would become a taunt of what she’d lost.

The river smell coming off both of them annoyed him. He turned to study the ten-by-twenty-foot room. A crude bathroom and kitchen took up the far wall. The reserve water tanks would be full since he hadn’t used the place in months. Every time it rained it replenished them. Cans of food were stored in the cupboards so he wouldn’t starve.

They needed to get clean. He opened the bathroom door and turned on another battery-operated lamp. One flip of a switch and he knew he had minutes before the water would warm. No way would he douse Kira in anything less. She’d already suffered enough shocks for one night.

Lorn returned to her side. Her shoes were destroyed from her swim. He had to use his claws to cut her laces, too wet to untie. Her feet were cold when he peeled off wet socks. The empty ankle holster became a reminder of the battle she’d fought for her life. His gaze traveled over her as he steeled himself for what was to come. This wasn’t the way he’d always fantasized about seeing her totally nude the first time.