Lorn Read online

“Damn it, Kira.”

  “Damn it, Lorn.” She forced a smile. “What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up in the flesh to show those assholes that feeding blood to Elsa has a chance of reversing what’s happening to her? They might have dragged her out of Perri’s home and killed her. The entire family probably would have died. You know as well as I do that her mother and brother would have fought to the death to try to save her.”

  “I would have handled it.”

  “How?”

  “Sent my enforcers to protect them.”

  “What about you? That would have left you undefended.”

  “I can fight my own battles.”

  “I don’t trust Brista as far as I can… Wait. I can throw her a good distance now. I don’t trust that bitch not to have set this up just to get you alone, so others could attack. We’re talking about people who would do shitty things to keep Decker in power. That means they’re as low as he is.”

  Something hit the roof hard and Lorn tensed, looking up.

  Kira did too. It sounded as if someone walked across the roof, toward the windows.

  “Get out of here, Kira. Unlock the door. We have company.”

  “On the roof?”

  “GarLycan—or more than one. No trees are close enough for one of us to make that jump to the roof. We’d have heard their claws tearing into the side of the building if one of us climbed the lodge. Garson and Kar are right outside the door. Move!”

  She ran and threw the bolt, yanking the door open. Garson and Kar stood there, already aware there was a problem. They pushed past her and entered the office. She didn’t leave, unwilling to go in case there was a fight. Fear had her heart pounding. GarLycans were really tough to kill.

  Lorn slid open a window and backed up. A dark shape dropped down, hung from the rafter, and then jumped. The big man wore a dark, hooded half cloak that bared his arms and hid his face, but his naked chest was revealed by the open front. His wings, if he was supposed to have any, were hidden. Lively bright blue eyes glowed from the shadows of his hood.

  “Lord Aveoth,” Lorn sounded calm. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  Kira tried not to gawk. That was the GarLycan leader?

  He slowly reached up and pushed back the hood. Masculine, handsome features were revealed. His mouth looked a little harsh to Kira but it was his eyes that she couldn’t get over. They were strange, yet beautiful. They really did look too vivacious to belong to a person. The color of them seemed to swirl and change from bright to dark hues of blue, with little flashes of silver bleeding in and out of them as she watched.

  “I wanted to personally congratulate you on taking over the clan.” The profound deepness of his voice gave her chills. He glanced at Garson, Kar, Kira, and finally back at Lorn. “Your people can leave. I would have called first but I didn’t bring my cell with me. I’ve come in peace.”

  “Garson? Kar? It’s okay.” Lorn motioned them to leave.

  They passed Kira but didn’t look happy. She shut the door, keeping it unlocked, just in case. She knew both enforcers would remain close, and she was prepared to yell for them if they were needed.

  Lorn turned his head and frowned. “You can go too, Kira.”

  “Not on your life.”

  Lorn growled at her. “Damn it, out.”

  “No!”

  Lord Aveoth cleared his throat. “Problems controlling your clan already? Take my advice, as one leader to another. I’d never strike a woman, but you need to nip that in the bud fast. A holding cell will remind her who’s charge. It will only encourage others to do the same if you allow even one to disobey direct orders.”

  Lorn faced forward. “She’s my true mate. We just haven’t shared blood both ways yet.”

  Lord Aveoth’s nostrils flared. “I was told other information. That would explain why she smells like you.”

  “What were you told?” Lorn sounded tense.

  Lord Aveoth hesitated. “I had heard something about a human. She’s not one.”

  “I was. A Vampire tried to kill me so I bit his throat to survive.” Kira walked up behind Lorn and stayed there. She knew he’d stop her from getting any closer to the GarLycan, not that she wanted to be. He was scary. “Now it seems I’m VampLycan.”

  “How?”

  Kira opened her mouth but Lorn answered.

  “Velder suggested feeding her blood from a predominantly Lycan-blooded VampLycan. I’ve been feeding her. It seems to have worked. She grew claws earlier, and she’s never had that trait before.”

  “I’m confused.” Lord Aveoth studied Kira.

  “My father is VampLycan, my mother was human. I took more after her.” Kira shrugged. “I was turned into a Vampire but feeding from Lorn helped me become more like my dad.”

  “Your latent traits have been activated.” Lord Aveoth nodded. “Good. I’m glad it worked.” He stared at Lorn. “You really should finish the process of sealing the bond between you. She’s a weakness you can’t afford to have right now. Someone else could force her to be their mate, just to cause you misery. You’d have to kill them, but the grief of what was done and smelling another’s scent on her until it faded could be seen as an advantage to your enemies.”

  Lorn reached back, hooked Kira’s hip, and shoved her completely behind him. She felt his claws against her pants and knew he prepared for a fight.

  “Easy,” Lord Aveoth murmured. “I don’t want her, nor do I plan to try to take your Kira. I’m just pointing out the danger of waiting. You shouldn’t. We’re not enemies.”

  Lorn took a few deep breaths but he kept hold of Kira with one hand. “I’ll do it tonight.”

  Kira peeked around Lorn. The GarLycan bowed slightly and backed toward the window. “I didn’t intend to raise your ire. It was meant to be a friendly visit and mere advice. I also wanted to ask your permission to do some flyovers. I have my people hunting for Decker. The other clans have given us permission to use their airspace. We won’t land unless he’s spotted.”

  Lorn took long seconds to respond. “It will make my people uneasy.”

  “Decker Filmore still breathing should worry you more. He’ll want to reclaim this territory. My scouts can see him and his enforcers coming before you will, if they plan a sneak attack at night. I want his fucking head.”

  Kira shivered at the icy tone. It seemed someone hated Decker as much as they did. “You should say yes,” she whispered.

  Lorn’s body turned rigid against her and his hand tightened on her hip, his claws digging in a little. It didn’t tear her pants but she felt each sharp tip. “Stay out of this.”

  She sighed. “Fine.”

  Lord Aveoth chuckled. “Such a rebellious mate.”

  “I’m aware.” Lorn relaxed and gently rubbed her hip with his palm. “I give you permission but could you refrain from having them fly too low? It will make some frightened of being attacked. They’re more than aware of how Decker has made an enemy of your clan.”

  “As I said, we are not enemies. I extend support to all VampLycans with the exception of those who follow Decker. He and his most loyal are the only lives I plan to take issue with.”

  “I’ll let my people know not to be alarmed if they spot wings in the sky.”

  “Good.” Lord Aveoth shifted his gaze to Kira. “Lady Kira, it was nice to meet you.” He bowed and turned his back, strode to the window and out onto the small ledge there.

  Kira’s mouth parted as the light from the office showed large, dark wings grow out of slits in the cape. They spread out wide and then the GarLycan jumped. His big shape lifted and he silently rose out of sight.

  “Holy shit. Did you see that? Those babies looked massive.”

  Lorn hurried to the window and shut it, locking them all and pulling the curtains over them. He spun, coming back to her fast. “Do you ever listen? What if he’d come with less peaceful intentions?”

  “Did you think I’d just run away and go hide inside the den? Forget that. I would have