Holiday with a Vampire 4: Halfway to DawnThe GiftBright Star (Harlequin Nocturne) Page 5

  Alfie roared and surged forward. “Bloody cowards,” he snarled. “If yer too scared of a fair fight—”

  The tall man reversed his rifle and knocked Alfie down. Goodman nodded, and he swung the rifle around again, aiming at Alfie’s chest.

  It was a type of weapon Kane had never seen before, heavier in the barrel and equipped with features he couldn’t identify.

  The weapon that had slaughtered a half-dozen rogue Freebloods? The one Fiona had tried to warn him about?

  “If you don’t cooperate,” Goodman said, “Johnson will shoot your friend. Rest assured that he’ll stay dead this time.”

  “Stop!”

  Fiona’s voice was as bright and clear as a bugle call on the battlefield. She strode into the room as if she’d never been ill a day in her life, fixing the bald soldier with a stare that could fell an elephant. Immediately the man dropped his knife, and the other two jumped to attention.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t find out about this?” she demanded, taut with rage. “Whatever the Nightsiders may do, we don’t torture. Not for any reason.” She strode up to the tall man and snatched the weapon out of his hands. “Now get out of here. All of you. I’ll deal with you later.”

  The three men left the room in haste and closed the door. Fiona propped the weapon against the wall, knelt before Kane and swore softly.

  “My God,” she said. “If I’d been in my right mind, this never would have happened. Are you badly hurt?”

  The mere sight of her made him forget the pain completely. “I’ll mend,” he said.

  Her eyes told him that she didn’t quite believe him. “I’ll call for the medic.”

  “The medic isn’t necessary,” Kane said. “But Alfie and I wouldn’t mind getting out of these shackles.”

  Pale with worry, she returned to the door, issued a few sharp commands and stood aside as a different pair of soldiers set Kane and Alfie free. The soldiers lingered, but she dismissed them with a sharp word.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, crouching in front of Kane again. She turned to Alfie. “Are you all right?”

  “Right as rain,” he said, still wearing his irrepressible grin.

  Kane gazed at Fiona, amazed at the strength of his own long-suppressed feelings. He could hardly avoid noticing that she was dressed only in loose-fitting pants and an undershirt that revealed taut nipples through the clinging fabric. With her hair loose around her shoulders and each strong, slender curve of her body revealed, she sent every spare ounce of Kane’s blood surging to his cock.

  If she sensed his reaction, she refused to show it. She laid her palm on his forehead. “You’re freezing,” she said.

  Her touch made his sluggish heartbeat accelerate to a dangerous speed. “Cap’n Donnelly,” Alfie began, “it ain’t good—”

  But Fiona had already drawn away. “I gave the—” She hesitated. “I told the leader of this expedition the whole story of how you saved me. He trusts my judgment of you, and he’s not a man to be easily deceived.”

  “The leader?” Kane asked, searching her face. “I thought you were the captain of this team.”

  “Of this unit, yes. What did Goodman want from you?”

  “He thought we might have controlled your mind or come to stop you from completing your mission.”

  “Our mission?” She swore. “He told you what it was?”

  “Only that there were to be talks between Opiri and humans, and that you expected some Opiri opposition.”

  “He wasn’t authorized to say anything. He’d only have done that if he thought he could get away with killing you or convince me to order it.” Her jaw set. “He’ll be broken in rank for this.”

  If Kane’s instincts about Goodman were right, the human deserved much worse. “Do these talks concern a truce?” he asked.

  “If he didn’t give you the details, I can’t.” She let out her breath. “I’m sorry, Kane. More than I can say.”

  “As long as you’re safe, it doesn’t matter.”

  She met his gaze with a frown. “Safe? Why shouldn’t I be?”

  “Goodman didn’t want ya to tell us ’bout this ‘new weapon’ o’ yours,” Alfie said. “And he weren’t too gentle about it, neither.”

  “In that one thing he was right,” Fiona said, flushing a little. “But now you’ve seen it.”

  “I’m under the impression that it kills Opiri,” Kane said. “Permanently, and without the need to hit the heart or brain. Evidently Goodman felt that particular method would induce us to tell him what we don’t know.”

  Fiona swept her hand over her hair. “I’ll take care of him and make sure you get what you need.”

  “What in God’s name is going on here?” an unfamiliar masculine voice said from the doorway.

  Chapter 4

  “Senator Sandoval!” Fiona said, rising too quickly. She steadied herself, taking great care not to wobble.

  The ambassador surveyed the room, his eyes couched in deep hollows of exhaustion. “Why are these men still here? I thought you said they were free to go?”

  Fiona considered how much to tell him. She couldn’t forgive what her men had done to Kane and Alfie, but she still needed Goodman and the others to get to Sacramento. In spite of her very personal anger, she had great difficulty believing the commander’s behavior hadn’t been based on concern for her and the mission rather than his hatred for Nightsiders. He and his accomplices would be subject to disciplinary action, likely severe, when they returned to the Enclave, but before then she had to remind them who was in command in no uncertain terms.

  And find out what the hell Joel had been thinking, telling the Opiri about the talks and letting them see the new weapon.

  “Unlike you,” she said to Sandoval, “some of my men didn’t believe my story. They took it upon themselves to find out if Kane and his friend were lying about saving me or whether they’d been sent to lead us into a trap.”

  The senator raised a quizzical brow. “Is there a problem I should know about, Captain?”

  “I’ll inform you if there is, sir.”

  Sandoval seemed satisfied. “Are you hurt?” he asked, looking from Kane to Alfie. His gaze lingered on the holes in Kane’s uniform. “Do you require a medic?”

  “As I told Captain Donnelly,” Kane said, probing his knee with a barely perceptible wince, “it will heal soon enough.” He smiled crookedly. “I can hardly blame them for suspecting us, if your mission is so important.”

  “What do you know of our mission?”

  “Very little.”

  The senator glanced at Fiona, then turned back to the Opiri. “Captain Donnelly says you were bringing her here before her troops apprehended you, and that you never attempted to take her blood. If she trusts you, I’m inclined to do so, as well.”

  “Right generous o’ ya, guv,” Alfie said.

  Fiona’s legs chose that moment to go wobbly again, and she staggered. Bracing his arm against the wall behind him, Kane pushed himself to his feet, favoring his injured leg.

  “Senator,” he said to Sandoval, “I think Captain Donnelly still requires treatment.”

  “Indeed she does,” Sandoval said. “Captain, I believe the medic is waiting for you.”

  “I’m all right,” she insisted.

  “Fiona...” Kane said.

  “I’m fine,” she said. “Senator—”

  “Go,” Sandoval said. “That’s an order. I’ll see that these men are given what they need.”

  Fiona hesitated, retrieved the prototype weapon and then reluctantly walked toward the door. Lefevre and D’Agostino, who had been waiting outside, looked at her inquiringly.

  “The senator will be all right,” she said, handing the gun to Lefevre. “Put this away and make sure Johnson, Cole and Commander Goodman don’t get anywhere near this room.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Lefevre said.

  Fiona glanced down the hall. She didn’t like the idea of waiting to deal with the insubordinate soldiers until af
ter her treatment, but she wasn’t going to be able to stay on her feet much longer.

  “Is that all, Captain?” D’Agostino asked, concern in his voice.

  “Have one of the others bring blankets, water and Mr. Kane’s boots to the Opiri,” she said. “Dismissed.”

  The men glanced at each other and headed for the living room. Fiona hesitated for only for a moment, then pressed her ear to the door and listened.

  “Will the lass be awright?” Alfie asked, his deep voice muffled through the wood.

  “She’s a strong woman,” Sandoval said. “She has a very powerful instinct for survival. I’m sure she’ll be fine once she’s given a transfusion. The unit carries a certain amount of blood for situations like this one.” He hesitated. “I apologize for your treatment. I know the captain wouldn’t have permitted it if she hadn’t been unconscious, but I should have seen the problem earlier.”

  “Why?” Kane asked. “Who are you?”

  “I’m sure you heard Captain Donnelly speak my name, though I doubt she intended to do so in your presence,” Sandoval said in a dry voice. “I’m Carlos Sandoval.”

  “And you’re involved in some kind of talks? Negotiations?”

  Sandoval sighed. “Under other circumstances I would consider this mission compromised and return to the Enclave. But I have been told I have a certain talent for reading people, and as I said, I’m inclined to trust you. Yes, there are to be negotiations. Between your people and mine.”

  “The Opiri,” Kane said, “are not our people.”

  “Captain Donnelly mentioned your feelings about that, Mr.—”

  “Kane. Jonathan Kane.”

  “Alfie Palmer,” Alfie said.

  “Mr. Kane, Mr. Palmer, Fiona tells me you’re heading west to escape the influence of your Bloodmaster. I appreciate the difficulties you must be facing. Once you’ve sufficiently recovered, you’re free to go...if that is what you choose.”

  “Why would you let us go when we know so much?” Kane asked.

  “We can’t take you with us and watch you every instant, and I won’t authorize your—”

  “Execution?” Kane interrupted,

  “Yes. We cannot expect peace to begin with more violence. That is my sincere belief. That is why I ask if you also believe in peace.”

  Alfie made a snorting sound. “Peace don’t believe in us,” he said.

  “Nevertheless, we could use your help—if you choose to stay.”

  Fiona closed her eyes, trying to remember to breathe. She wanted Kane to stay, but she couldn’t blame him for a second if he chose to leave them. Leave her.

  “I realize it’s a lot to ask,” Sandoval said. “But if you’ll hear me out—”

  “How could we ’elp?” Alfie asked.

  “I’ve been chosen to represent the San Francisco Enclave and the NorCal District in negotiations for a cease-fire. Captain Donnelly’s team has been tasked with getting me to Sacramento, where the talks are to take place.”

  “An armistice,” Kane said with a short laugh. “Was it the Opiri commanders who suggested this meeting?”

  “It was a mutual decision.”

  “You can’t trust them. The Opiri believe they can win this fight and ultimately subject all humanity to their will. Why should they agree to a truce?”

  “Because their losses have been heavy, too,” Sandoval said. “As you must know. They’ve even lost Bloodmasters. They may be able to sacrifice thousands of Freebloods and vassals, but sooner or later they will find themselves without the means to ensure their own survival.”

  “Then why would you negotiate with them?” Kane asked. “Your people despise the Opiri, because any of you could become like them.”

  “No,” Sandoval said quietly. “I don’t despise you. I want you to be free as much as you want to be free. I also have faith in the worthiness of our cause. It may be that in this season, at this time when we most think of peace and the brotherhood of all peoples, we will have the best chance of succeeding.”

  “’At’s right,” Alfie put in. “Ain’t the first time enemies ’ave put down their weapons, ’oping fer the day when war’ll be over fer good.”

  “The war we fought a century ago didn’t end because of a temporary truce,” Kane said. “Many more good men died before it was over.”

  “Perhaps,” Sandoval said. “I have no doubt that there will be sacrifices. But your friend’s optimism may well turn out to be justified. And you can help us make certain that more of you will have a chance at freedom. If nothing else, if our negotiations are successful it may lead to the release of hundreds of human prisoners before they become serfs or vassals like yourselves.”

  A long silence fell. Fiona tensed, waiting for Kane’s reply.

  “You face a major obstacle before any of that can happen,” Kane said at last. “You know that some important Opiri will be strongly against these talks, and you could be ambushed anywhere along the way to Sacramento.” He took a deep breath. “Even if none of the enemy knows where you are now, you have miles of abandoned cities and open ground to cover, all of them swarming with scouts and rogue Freebloods.”

  “We understand all this, Mr. Kane,” Sandoval said. “Captain Donnelly has said that you may have recently traveled the country we will be crossing over the next several days...that you might be willing to be our guides.”

  “I’ll be a bloody monkey’s uncle,” Alfie said. “Looks like we awready volunteered.”

  “We backtracked to see that Captain Donnelly was safe with her own people,” Kane said. “We have no reason to trust you or your soldiers. Why should we put our lives on the line for any of you?”

  Alfie laughed. “’E’s just makin’ noise,” he said. “Like I told the lady, Kane ain’t got no sense when it comes to savin’ people. Always ’elping ’umans, ’e is. Rescuin’ ’em whenever ’e can, even if ’e might die

  ’imself. Been like that since I can remember.”

  “Alfie,” Kane growled.

  “That seems in accord with Captain Donnelly’s opinion of you, Mr. Kane,” Sandoval said. “I guarantee that you will receive the nourishment you need and the freedom to go your own way, whatever your decision. I will donate my blood. As much as you require, until something more convenient can be arranged.”

  Fiona released her breath. She should have known that the senator would be willing to do whatever was necessary himself.

  But she wanted to make the offer, too. She wanted to feel Kane’s lips on her neck...not only taking her blood, but exploring her body with his hands and mouth and tongue, caressing her, entering her...

  “We’ll do as you ask,” Kane said. “For the captain’s sake.”

  “You care for her,” Sandoval said.

  “I thought that humans believed Opiri have no emotions.”

  “I never believed that, Mr. Kane. You are proof of it.”

  Another silence fell. Fiona tried not to let her own emotions overwhelm her. Even if Kane agreed, she would never get a chance to know what they would be like together. Once Kane and Alfie had done what they’d agreed to do, they would continue south and she would never see Kane again.

  She moved away from the door just before Sandoval emerged.

  “Captain!” he said. “Are you finished already?”

  “Senator, I wanted to make sure—”

  He gave her a knowing look. “You heard?”

  “I can’t permit you to give your blood, Senator. You—”

  “It is my choice. Though I was hoping you might find a volunteer or two among your people.”

  “I’ll ask, sir.”

  “I’ll do the asking. If you don’t go to the medic now—”

  He didn’t finish his threat, nor did he need to. Fiona felt herself becoming dizzy again. “Yes, sir,” she said.

  She staggered to the cot the medic had set up in the master bedroom, passing D’Agostino, who had a canteen slung over his shoulder and Kane’s boots lying on a pile of blankets in his
arms. With a reproving glance, Bakhtiar inserted an IV into her arm and began the treatment. Well before it was finished, D’Agostino, Chen and Sandoval entered, looking a little pale but otherwise unharmed.

  “The bloodsu—the Nightsiders got their blood, ma’am,” he said. “Me and Chen volunteered, but the senator insisted on helping, too.”

  Fiona tried to sit up on the cot. The medic shook her head and gently pushed her back down.

  “Easy, Captain,” Bakhtiar said. “We’re not finished. I suggest you try to sleep.”

  Fiona nodded, closing her eyes. Her final thought was of lying in Kane’s arms, feeling him move inside her for the first and last time before they marched into battle.

  * * *

  When Sandoval and the soldiers left, Kane was still hungry. He and Alfie had taken as little blood as possible, and it would be enough to keep them going for at least a few more days.

  But there were other kinds of hunger still unsatisfied, a desire for something more than mere survival.

  There was only one human whose graceful neck he wanted under his mouth, whose body he wanted under his.

  “It weren’t enough, were it?” Alfie asked quietly from his seat on the rickety chair.

  Kane rested his hands on his knees and stared at the cracked ceiling. No. It would never be enough. Not for the rest of his life.

  “The way the lass looks at ya,” Alfie said, “I think she feels the same way, and not because ya saved ’er life.”

  “Your imagination was always stronger than your sense,” Kane muttered. “If she—”

  The door opened. Kane jumped to his feet without considering the lingering pain in his knee, expecting to see Fiona. But it was only D’Agostino, still a little pale but clearly undisturbed by his unusual experience. He had Kane’s and Alfie’s rifles in his hands.

  “The senator wanted to make sure you’re all right,” the soldier said. “And to return these.”

  Kane took the rifles and passed one to Alfie. “How is Fi—Captain Donnelly?” he asked.

  “Resting.” D’Agostino fixed Kane with a probing gaze. “The senator wants you to look over some maps, if you’re up to it.”