Lorn Read online

  Their childhood friendship must account for why he broke the rules. Anyone else except her father would have ended her life as soon as they realized what was happening to her body.

  He tensed, his muscles bunching as he lifted her. She understood how a doll felt as she was turned in his arms once he’d stood, and he pulled her against his chest. She hung there limp and tried to wrap her arms around his neck. They sluggishly moved enough for her to at least rest them over the top of his shoulders. The door opening chilled her as cooler air hit her body. Lorn walked slowly, every inch of the front of her rubbing against him.

  The bed was close and she got her first look at his den. It wasn’t a big place, dimly lit, but it had all the comforts of a nice hideaway. A kitchenette had been built in the corner, there was a table built for four but with only two chairs, and the bed took up most of the space. He took her to the table and laid her down across the top of it. The wood was smooth against her back.

  “Okay,” he whispered. “This is the tough part.”

  She blinked up at him. It was embarrassing to be so weakened in front of him but her body just refused to work right.

  “Thank you.” She wanted to make sure he knew how grateful she was. He was taking serious risks by protecting her from clan law. He’d be punished if anyone discovered he harbored a bloodbag.

  He turned away to stalk to a cabinet, coming back with towels. He dropped them on the back of a chair before frowning. “Close your eyes.”

  She did as he asked, hearing the sound of his movements. Then immediately peeked, too curious to know what he was doing.

  It was a shock to find him bent over as he removed his soaked boxers. His ass was as tan as the rest of him. She closed her eyes again.

  He took a deep breath. “I have a towel wrapped around me. I’m decent but we need to get your wet clothes off and get you dry. Once I do that, I’ll put you to bed.”

  He would see her helpless and naked. It just got worse, in her opinion. First, she was turning into what he’d consider an enemy, and now he was about to see her totally nude. She just gave a sharp nod and kept her eyes closed, too humiliated to watch or see his reactions.

  His large hands were gentle when he gripped the front of her bra. One hard tug and material tore. She hadn’t expected that and her eyes flew open, staring at him. He held her gaze, avoiding looking at her breasts as he carefully stripped the bra from her arms and tugged it out from under her. A towel dropped over her chest.

  “I’m not looking.”

  To prove his point, he squeezed his eyes closed. His hands gripped one side of her underwear after feeling for her hip with his fingertips and he gave it a quick jerk. The wet material didn’t stand a chance against his strength. He repeated the process on the other side and blindly reached for the last towel, laying it over her from stomach to knees. He finally looked at her.

  His hands stayed on top of the towel as he rubbed. It was near torture to have him finally touching her but under such horrible circumstances. Numbness was spreading through her body so she couldn’t even enjoy it. He leaned over her, his wet hair dripping a little, and carefully lifted her in a way that sat her up. One of his arms stayed around her middle to help her remain seated as he tugged the towel around her to pat her back dry.

  “How are you doing?”

  “Tired,” she admitted. “Cold.”

  He leaned back enough for her to clearly see his face. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’ll bring you to bed and keep you warm, okay? I won’t leave your side. Know that you’re safe. Nothing can breach the den and even if it did, I’d never allow anything to get within ten feet of you while you’re helpless.”

  “Than—”

  “Don’t,” he snarled, the sound loud and full of anger.

  She closed her mouth.

  “Never thank me for keeping you safe.” His tone softened. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there when you really needed me.”

  “You were there when I needed you the most. I’m still alive.” Is that accurate? I think my heart is still beating. She wasn’t sure since she didn’t know much about Vampires and her body felt so strange. “You’re saving me, Lorn. Anyone else would have taken me out the moment they found me and realized what had happened.”

  His gaze shifted away but the expression on his face wasn’t masked. Regret and maybe indecision drew fine lines around his mouth and forehead. She understood. What kind of life was she going to have when she woke after the sun fell tomorrow? Perhaps he regretted making the decision to save her. She didn’t blame him.

  He wrapped the towels more firmly around her and lifted, carrying her a few feet to the bed. He used his foot to shove down the covers on the mattress situated on the floor. He crouched, easily placing her on it. It shouldn’t have surprised her when he just tore the towels away, his gaze avoiding her body, and pulled the sheet over her nakedness.

  “Sleep, Kira. Stop fighting what’s happening to you. The sun is coming up.”

  He sprawled out next to her, tugging off his towel. She was tempted to lift her head to glance down his body but he yanked up the covers before she had a chance to appease her curiosity. The sheet remained between them as he rolled onto his side, curling up next to her. His body heat came through the thin material and she wished she had the energy to turn into him.

  “I don’t know how I’ll be when I wake.”

  He lifted his head, bracing it on his hand. “It’s going to be alright. I’m with you.”

  She had wished to share his bed since she was old enough to become aware of him as a man. She was finally there but unable to even lift her arms to touch him. Not that he’d want me to.

  It hurt. She’d always had a tiny bit of hope that they’d somehow be able to be together, refused to let go of that dream.

  Her heart broke into what felt like a thousand pieces as she realized there was no longer a chance of that happening. He was beside her but they had never been so far apart. He’d mate some VampLycan in a matter of days and she’d become a suckhead. He’d remain with the clan and she’d never be allowed to step foot in their territory again. She would become his enemy.

  “You’ll be hungry and probably go for my throat. I’ll be awake before the sun goes down.”

  It appalled her to think she might try to hurt him. “No. Don’t let me attack you. I’d rather die first.” She meant it.

  “It’ll be okay. I can handle you. My brother is going to bring you something to eat. I have handcuffs nearby so I can restrain you if you’re out of it when you come around. You won’t be able to hurt me. I’ll still be much stronger than you even after you’re fully changed.”

  “The master said he was five hundred years old,” she whispered, fearing that Lorn could be wrong. Old Vampires had a lot of strength.

  “It won’t matter. A VampLycan is stronger than a full-blooded Vampire.”

  It was another reminder that she wouldn’t be human. That part of her was dying as quickly as she lost the ability to feel any part of her body. She opened her mouth to thank him again for saving her, even if he didn’t want to hear it.

  A sudden jab of pain stabbed her in her belly and she gasped, blacking out.

  Lorn watched as Kira lost consciousness, agony twisting her delicate features. “Fuck.” He pulled her tight against him, holding her close enough to feel every sluggish beat of her heart. “I’ve got you, sunshine. I won’t let you go.”

  She felt so cold in his arms. It probably wasn’t safe to press her face against his throat but every slight breath she took helped him remain calm. She wasn’t really dead, just in a deep sleep. She’d wake a Vampire.

  Every bit of information he had on them filled his mind. They were cold-blooded creatures, only warm after a fresh feeding. Some of them seemed to lose the ability to have compassion.

  He refused to believe that would happen to his Kira. She had the kindest heart of anyone he’d ever known. He might have saved some baby bunnies when he’d b