Kraven Read online

  Kraven didn’t miss Michael’s amused expression. He released Bat and motioned her to go first. After she turned away, he looked at Michael. “No rats?” He mouthed the question.

  Michael shook his head.

  “Thanks.”

  “You only want what’s best for your mate. I would too,” the Vamp whispered, soft enough for only his ears. “Her mother was stubborn. I know the daughters inherited that trait.”

  “You knew Antina well?” Kraven kept a close eye on Bat, his voice low. The other Vampires opened the door for her and two walked ahead of her, their body language those of men on alert.

  “She was smart and determined to protect her young. I admired everything about her. It deeply saddened me when she and her husband died. Antina had a good heart and sympathized with the plight of others being controlled by a domineering asshole. She said her father and Drackamus were cut from the same cloth. She told me that she couldn’t stop Decker, but she wanted do something about our problem. Our own demons always seem far worse than those of others.”

  Kraven summed it up for him. “It wasn’t against the law for her to kill your master. Unfortunately, the laws were not in her favor regarding her father.”

  “Sometimes we live in a fucked-up world.”

  Kraven agreed. “But there are things that make up for it.” His gaze lingered on Bat as she led them to the elevators.

  “Very true,” Michael agreed. “Love is our one weakness, and I’m very grateful for it.”

  * * * * *

  Bat took a seat on the jet. “Wow.”

  Kraven dropped into the one next to hers. “It’s definitely luxurious.”

  “Did you peek into the bathroom? I think the fixtures are actual gold.”

  One of the Vampires came out from the cockpit. He was a young-looking blond sporting a tailored blue pilot’s uniform. “I just got off the phone with your father, Kraven. He’s sending out a team to take control of the humans on the ground. They’ll be waiting at your airport when we arrive. Just expect us to brake hard after we touchdown. We’ll warn you on approach.”

  “I told you they’d give you anything you need, Ronnie.” Kraven accepted the cell phone the pilot returned to him.

  That pilot’s words made Bat leery. “Why would we have to brake hard?”

  “It’s a shorter runway than we’re used to, but we’ve landed in trickier situations. My copilot, Georgio, is prepping us for takeoff. We have clear skies and don’t foresee any issues. Just relax, enjoy anything you want from the kitchen area, or let us know if there’s something you need. We’re estimating we’ll be there in just under six hours.”

  “Will we make it before dawn?” Bat imagined the pilots bursting into flames if they didn’t.

  “Yes, but this is a Vampire aircraft.” Ronnie grinned. “We can darken all the windows, including the windshield, and see via cameras that are specially outfitted just for the jet. We prefer not to fly during the day but in an emergency, we could. It’s just not recommended.”

  “In case you crash?” Bat was worried about that. She’d never get on a plane again without having flashbacks of that traumatic event.

  “That, and we couldn’t leave the jet. We’d be trapped onboard until the sun set.”

  “You’re strong enough to move around during daylight?” Kraven asked the question.

  “Michael made sure of it.” Ronnie paused. “He’s fed us enough of his blood so we’ll never pass out at the controls if the sun rises. You’re completely safe.”

  Kraven wasn’t done. “Are you aware that your master is helping her escape from the council?”

  Bat threw him a warning look. She wasn’t certain why he’d blabbed that.

  “We’re aware.” Ronnie took a step closer. “May I be candid?”

  “Please do,” Kraven encouraged.

  “My father was a pilot, and I’ve been flying since I was a young boy. I was grabbed on my twenty-first birthday by three Vampires outside a bar, and spent seventeen years doing laundry for my first master and his guards. I complained once. That cost me three months being chained to a wall and starved to near insanity. They tortured me. Michael took over and sat down with every person in our nest; he got to know us and he assigned jobs we’d enjoy. He wants us to be happy. He paid for me to get my pilot’s license under a new name. He freely shares his blood with us as well, so we’re all strong enough to be mobile during sunlight hours. The council would order him destroyed if they found out. It’s standard practice for a master to keep his underlings weak and use fear to control them. Michael doesn’t. We respect and like him. He’s our master, but he makes certain we know he sees us as equals. So the council can kiss my ass. I’m happy to do everything I can to go against their directives. It’s pretty much a nest motto.”

  Kraven nodded. “I understand.”

  Ronnie addressed Bat next. “You seem nervous. There’s no reason for it, Batina. Just relax. You’re in great hands with Georgio and me. We once landed this beauty on an old road between two cornfields without incident, at night, without proper lighting. The nest there held torches so we could see it.” He chuckled. “We’re flying to an actual airport this time. This will be a breeze.”

  “Why cornfields?” Kraven asked.

  “We have alliances with other nests, and that one was located in Indiana. There was a territory war between two Lycan packs and they needed help trying to manage all the humans who saw too much. Michael sent his friend Buck fifteen of ours to help wipe minds and negotiate peace. It’s never good when there’s a war. We’re all exposed.”

  “But why not just use an airport?”

  “We’d been ordered by the council not to help. Buck pissed them off when he refused to allow their enforcers to integrate with his nest. They would have taken over, destroyed Buck and anyone loyal to him. It’s what they do if they feel a master isn’t strong enough. An airport would have left a trail of our presence. So we dropped them off in the field and our men made their way back via cars a few nights later, after Buck had things in hand and the Lycans settled their land dispute. The council never found out.”

  That made Bat curious. “Do Lycans fight a lot?”

  Ronnie grinned. “It’s the nature of the beast. Now, it’s time to leave.” He nodded at them and returned to the cockpit, closing the door.

  Kraven turned his head, regarding her with his beautiful eyes. He opened his arms. “Come here.”

  Bat lifted out of the seat without hesitation. “This is becoming a habit.”

  “I’m not complaining. I love holding you.”

  She straddled his lap instead of sitting across his legs. The seats in the jet were plush and roomier than those on the other jet they’d been on. Kraven grinned in response and wrapped his arm around her waist as she settled down on him. She slid her fingers into his hair and leaned forward so she could peer into his eyes.

  “I have something very important to say to you.”

  “You do?” He smiled. “Tell me.”

  “From now on, wear an armored vest when you’re acting as my bodyguard.”

  He suddenly appeared irritated. “I’m pretty tough, Hellion.”

  “I don’t care.” It choked her up, remembering him being shot. She had to swallow hard. “Buy one and wear it when there’s danger.” Bat released his head and placed her hand over his heart. He’d showered and changed shirts before they’d left her condo but the memory remained of all the blood he’d lost. “You protect this better.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Do. Not try.”

  He snarled, his lips pressed firmly together.

  “What’s wrong? That makes you mad?”

  “I thought you had something else to say.”

  The jet moved. Bat tried to ignore it, focusing on him instead. “Do you know why I want you to wear a vest?”

  “I can’t protect you if I’m dead.”

  She stroked his shirt. “You promised not to hurt me, Kraven. You dying would ki