Consumed

Chapter 7

A bulletproof SUV manned by a too silent vampires met them at the airport, squiring them to Realm Headquarters. The area appeared more like an upscale gated community, complete with checkpoints with armed guards along the way. The houses were for peacetime, while the surrounding cliffs and mountains held underground levels of safety.

Arriving at the main building, she smiled at the sprawling ocean extending so far. Even as a lioness, she’d always enjoyed looking at the sea. Upon entering the cedar-sided lodge, she’d been instantly sent to the queen to draw blood.

An hour later, safely being poked by needles in the large lab at the above-ground Realm Headquarters, she awaited the queen’s diagnosis, fidgeting on the examination table and wrinkling the paper. Lemon cleanser and the queen’s strawberry shampoo mingled in the air. The king’s mate worked impossible hours, every day, trying to cure the virus.

While Katie had given more blood during the last ten years than she could count, the above-ground lab was her favorite place to be tested. Wide windows showcased the stunning ocean spreading as far as she could see. “Well? What happened in the alley? I swear, I felt like—”

“Your blood is the same.” Emma Kayrs, looking nothing like pampered royalty, scribbled notes in a file, her black hair clipped at the nape. She leaned back against a granite counter lined with test tubes and humming machines. One blinked green lights, spitting out data. “Your chromosomal pairs are holding steady at twenty-five pairs. Even without medication.” She tapped her pen on the paper. “Maggie’s are back up to twenty-six after a quick dive to twenty-four, which gives me great hope. Male shifters drop to twenty-four pairs, turning them into werewolves. Female shifters seem to stop unraveling at twenty-five, which makes you nearly human but not quite.”

Emma flashed a sympathetic smile. “As far as we know, only Maggie dropped to twenty-four pairs, probably because of the experiments conducted on her by the Kurjans that we don’t really know about. We don’t even know how long they kept her captive. Either way, I just can’t figure out why she’s different from all the other affected female shifters. Why are her chromosomal pairs back up to twenty-six? Is the cure somehow in her blood?”

“What about Cara’s chromosomal pairs?” Emma’s sister Cara had been human with twenty-three chromosomal pairs until she mated Talen Kayrs, shooting her pairs up to twenty-seven. Before she contracted the virus.

“She is back up to twenty-six pairs, which also gives me great hope. But no matter what I do or try, or what Talen tries, we can’t get her pairs back up to the twenty-seven of a mate.”

Katie shook her head. “For the first time in ten years, I felt like me. Like the shifter inside had returned.” Before getting on the plane, she’d tried to shift. Repeatedly and with no luck. But if the lioness had returned, she might beat the virus. Maybe the cure lived in Katie’s blood.

Emma slapped the file closed, her lips pinched. “I don’t know. Maybe being close to Jordan after so long did it— the cougar inside you recognized a potential mate in Jordan and woke up. Or perhaps”—she took a deep breath—“the lioness recognized the virus in Jordan—the same one you have.”

Perhaps she’d returned to say good-bye to the only man Katie would ever love. She shoved the thought away. “What about this antiviral you’ve been working on from Maggie’s blood?”

Emma’s blue eyes darkened. “We’ve had some success in test tubes, but it’s nowhere near ready to use.”

“There isn’t a choice.” Jordan would be a monster within a few days.

“I know.”

“What about,” Katie cleared her throat, rolling her shoulders, “if we, I mean, what if we—”

“Mated?” Amusement lifted the queen’s lips. “I truly don’t know.” She lost her smile. “Mating might work, might halt Jordan’s virus like it is in you ... or might turn you both into werewolves. When a shifter bites a mate, their physiology is altered, as you know. Forever. Who knows what would happen in this case.”

Katie would take the risk.

Voices echoed down the hallway, and Cara Kayrs swept into the room. “I think you’re being ridiculous.”

Her husband and mate, Talen, stalked in behind her, a scowl on his broad face. “She’s too young to date.”

Cara rushed forward and enveloped Katie in a hug. “I’ve missed you.” She leaned back, studying her. “It’s been too long.”

Katie smiled at her friend. “You look well.” Actually, Cara had been unnaturally pale since contracting the virus, but her blue eyes were clear, so that had to be a good thing. As sisters, she and Emma shared the same eye color, but her hair was a much lighter auburn. “What is the cranky vampire growling about now?” Katie gave Talen a grin.

“Hi, monster.” He leaned in and tugged her hair. “It has been way too long.”

Warmth flushed through her. The dangerous soldier had been calling her monster since she dumped a soda on him during a picnic thirty years before. She’d only been four, for goodness sakes. The Kayrs men had been family her entire life. “I’m a grown-up now—you shouldn’t call me names.”

“You look sixteen.” He scowled at his wife. “Too young to date.”

“Nuh-uh,” Katie countered. Geez. She might look twenty, but she’d lived thirty-four years, and after a moment in his presence, she felt four years old again. “I look my age.” Right. If her genes cooperated, she’d always look twenty-five.

Cara sighed, shoving curls off her face. Her dark jeans and simple white T-shirt held splotches of dirt. The woman had probably been gardening, which was a favorite hobby. She gave her husband a glare. “The grumpy vampire is irritated his daughter wants to go to a movie with a panther shifter next week.”

“She’s too young.” Talen crossed his massive arms. His eyes were a deep gold, his features rugged and powerful. Not many people challenged the head of all military strategy for the Realm. “That panther ... he looks at her funny.”

Emma snorted. “You’re such a dork.”

Katie jumped off the table. “I suppose you’d rather Janie dated a vampire?”

“Hell, no.” Talen lifted Cara and set her down gently on the table. “I’d rather she didn’t date at all. In fact, she’s too young. Period.”

Emma grabbed another file. “I think it’s good she wants to go on a date with someone, anyone, instead of pining for that Zane.”

Cara nodded, rolling up her sleeve. “Yeah. I have to admit, I was seriously relieved when he stopped visiting her dreams about five years ago.”

Katie inched toward the door. Something told her Zane hadn’t disappeared for all time ... just while Janie grew up. No need to tell the overprotective parents, however. “Speaking of Janie, I’m supposed to meet her in the game room. See you all later.” She turned and ran smack into a hard chest.

“Aunt Katie.” Strong hands steadied her, and she looked up an inch into metallic gray eyes.

When had he grown so tall? “Garrett.” She enveloped him in a huge hug. She loved that he’d given her the honorary title of “Aunt.” Very cool. The kid definitely had his father’s size, though gangly was an understatement. “What are you, about twenty years old?”

He returned the hug, large hands patting her shoulder awkwardly. “Funny. You know I just turned ten.” Humungous feet shuffled as he stepped back, a dimple flashing in his already handsome face. Good humor lifted his smile, but a clear predator lumbered beneath the surface of that sharp face. There was no question Garrett was his father’s son. “Dad? The panther called again. Thought you should know.”

Talen growled low. “That kid needs to be relocated somewhere else.”

Garrett nodded. “Yeah. He looks at Janie funny.”

“See?” Talen gestured wildly. “Even he sees it.”

“In fact”—a mischievous light entered Garrett’s odd eyes—“Uncle Dage thinks I should go to the movies with them next week.”

A smile crossed Talen’s rugged face. “Now that’s a fine idea.”

“No,” Cara said.

Talen and his son shared a look.

“We’ll see about that,” Talen said.

Chuckling, Katie maneuvered around Garrett and strolled by windows showcasing a tumultuous Pacific Ocean on her way to the game room. She found Janie chalking a pool stick in front of the only pool table, the balls already racked. Several dartboards adorned the side, while a huge, fully stocked bar lined one entire wall.

“Katie.” Janie hustled past an air hockey game, giving a strong hug.

Katie leaned back, taking a good look at the gorgeous teenager. Intelligent blue eyes set in a heart-shaped face with her mama’s delicate features. Her hair had deepened to a light sable. “You forgot to grow.”

The grin was all imp. “I know, right? Stupid Garrett is almost four inches taller than me already.” She shook her head. “He picks me up just for fun sometimes. But ... I can still kick his butt.”

Probably because the hulking vamp didn’t want to hurt his big sister. “Of course you can. We women are tough.” God, she hoped Janie mated a vampire or shifter someday so she’d be immortal. The girl was human and had been adopted by Talen when he’d married her mother. Katie grabbed a pool stick.

Movement by the doorway caught her eye.

Maggie dodged inside. “Hey, I found some grape energy drinks.” She grinned, her brown curls bobbing and dark eyes dancing. “The king didn’t hide these very well.” Hustling forward, she plunked the cans on the bar and grabbed Katie in a hug. “I’m glad to see you.”

Katie returned the shorter woman’s hug. “Our apartment has been way too quiet since you left.” When Jordan had rescued Katie from the Kurjan research facility, he’d rescued Maggie as well. The two women had been the best of friends since. Maggie had only been gone a few weeks, but it had been a lonely few weeks without the wolf shifter.

“Kane and Emma have been using me as a pincushion.” Maggie hopped onto a bar stool, reaching for a drink. “Though, if my blood will somehow help Jordan ...” She lost her smile. “I’m sorry he was infected.”

“Me, too, though I’m sure Emma will find a cure.” Katie chalked her cue. Shrugging off the pain, she forced a smile. “How are the panic attacks? Any better?” Maggie had suffered from terrible anxiety attacks since being rescued from the Kurjans, and not much helped ward them off.

Maggie grimaced. “No. Kane has been trying to hypnotize me and teach me how to meditate, but so far, I really suck at searching for the calm within.”

Katie wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think many wolves are able to meditate.” Something in their wild natures kept them from relaxing enough. She took in Maggie’s sad face. Time to lighten the mood. So Katie focused on Janie. “Rumor has it you’re dating a shifter.”

Janie grinned, lifting a shoulder. “Just a friend. We’re going to the movies next week.” She pursed her lips. “Though I may kiss him.”

“God. Don’t let your dad hear that.” Katie leaned over, aimed, and shot the break. A striped ball fell into the corner pocket. She lined up the next shot and missed. It had been a while since she’d played.

“I won’t.” Janie surveyed the table, leaning over and easily making a bank shot. “I miss Uncle Jase—he’s the best pool player here.”

“What am I? A clumsy wolf?” Maggie swung her legs back and forth.

“Yes.” Janie sent her a grin. “Everyone knows wolves can’t play pool worth beans.”

Katie fought back a snort. Wolves were notoriously bad at pool. “Where is Jase?” She eyed the table. If the youngest Kayrs brother had taught Janie, then Katie needed to get serious.

“Off on some mission.” Janie frowned. “Something about demons. I get visions, but nothing concrete.”

There was nothing concrete when it came to demons. Katie forced a smile. “So, about that shifter ...”

“I’m not serious or anything.”

“Because of Zane.” Concern had Katie concentrating to keep her voice light.

“Yeah. Someday I’ll see him again.” Janie missed the next shot and straightened up. “But, well, I can see why Zane stopped visiting my dream world as a teenager. I mean, with the six plus-year differences in our ages.”

“Yeah. It’d be creepy for a twenty-two-year-old man to visit your dreams, sweetheart.”

“Jordan is three hundred years older than you, Katie.” Janie flipped curly brown hair over her shoulder. “Like, that’s old.”

“I’m not with Jordan.” Besides, it wasn’t like shifters aged. Geez. She missed an easy bank shot, her mind on the lion.

Janie snorted. “Please. You are so with Jordan.”

Katie smiled. “The older we get, the more complicated life gets.” She frowned as Janie cleared the table. “And yes, that sounds like a cop-out, even to me.”

Maggie set down the grape soda, stretching her neck. “You want to be with Jordan. Mr. tall, feline, and solo watches you exclusively whenever you’re in the same vicinity. What’s his deal, anyway?”

Katie shrugged. “I always figured leading made him kind of solitary, like Dage but without brothers. But ...”

“But what?” Maggie and Janie said in unison.

“The werewolf, Brent. He called Jordan ‘cousin’.”

“Interesting.” Maggie rubbed her chin.

“Yeah. I didn’t even know he had family.” Sure, she knew his parents had died in the last Kurjan uprising, but had figured they were Jordan’s only relatives. What else hadn’t the lion leader shared with her?

Janie sighed. “I’ve been having bad visions lately of something dark pursuing you, but I can’t get a full picture.”

“Oh, I’ve had the picture. Probably.” Katie exchanged pool sticks with another one in the holder on the wall. “Brent has a serious ... ah ... interest in me.”

“It’s more than one werewolf.” Janie smoothed the triangle along the table, neatly lining up the balls.

“Great.” A chill swept down her spine even as Katie found the right pool stick. “Sometimes I want to shift back to cougar so badly I think I can make it happen. I need the ability to fight what’s coming. Somehow I just know that.”

“I wish I could shift.” Janie stepped away, tilting her head for Katie to break.

Katie leaned over, aimed, and shot. Balls went smoothly rolling, but not one sank. “I miss feeling the change from human to pure animal, so much.” She sidled out of the way so Janie could shoot.

Maggie sighed. “I can shift, but only once a month when the moon is full. Each time I feel a little stronger, so I keep hoping I’ll go back to normal someday. I mean, whatever normal used to be. It’s not like I remember.”

“That totally sucks.” Katie gave her a sympathetic smile. Whatever the Kurjans had done to Maggie had destroyed her memories.

Janie lined up a shot and dropped a colored ball. “You’re stripes.” She aimed again. One shaking hand rubbed her forehead.

“What’s wrong?” Concern had Katie pausing.

“Vision about Jase, somewhere near a sea. Scotland, I think. I’ve tried to get him to come home, but he won’t come.” Janie leaned over to concentrate on her next shot. Aiming carefully, she cleared the table, straightening with a tight smile. “I’ve been practicing.”

Obviously. Katie slid the stick back into the wall holder. “Maybe you should tell Dage about Jase.”

“I have. He nods, but says Jase needs to get a line on the demons before they attack. We’ve both seen the attacks coming. It’s bad.”

Demon attacks might rip the Realm apart. “Like we don’t have enough to worry about with the Kurjans.”

“It’s difficult keeping everyone safe.” Maggie sighed. “Where is your mom now, anyway?”

“Alaskan cruise.” Millie Smith loved to travel with her mah-jongg group. “She should be returning home next month.” Maybe. If everything went to hell and Noah had to take over, he’d probably extend the cruise, considering his mama was on it, too. Of course, the new antiviral would work and Jordan would be saved, so Noah wouldn’t have to step up. Katie smiled at Janie. “She said to tell you happy birthday next week.”

“She sent me a hand-knitted blanket with cougars on it—I love it.” Janie brushed curls off her face. “Her note said something about you learning to knit ... and I tried really hard not to laugh.”

“Very funny.” Katie flashed a grin. “Mom has tried to teach me so many times, but I’m all thumbs.” Of course, she kept trying because her attempts amused her mother. For Millie’s last birthday, Katie had actually completed a blanket featuring a bald eagle. Well, the bird looked more like a bald buzzard, but she’d tried her best. Millie had proudly placed the blanket over her sofa in the formal living room like it was a work of art.

“Your mom is pretty cool.” Maggie eyed another grape soda.

So true. Katie had been inviting Maggie home with her, and Millie had taken the wounded wolf into the family immediately. “She loves you, too.”

If nothing else, Katie would always owe Jordan for rescuing her from Jim Bob and taking her to Millie. The petite lioness had instantly taken her in, even adopting her within the human court system. God, Katie loved her mom.

Janie cued her pool stick and cleared her throat. “Um, I’m sorry about Jordan getting infected.”

“Thanks. Any chance you see the future regarding him?” If the little psychic saw Jordan sometime, anytime, in the future, that’d be awesome.

“No, sorry. But that doesn’t mean anything, Katie. I don’t usually see the stuff I’m looking for.” Janie’s eyes clouded over. “So many futures spin through my mind sometimes ... every move we make changes what will happen.”

And yet, she didn’t see Jordan at all?

Down the hallway, Jordan leaned against the wall, a small smile playing on his face from the interplay. He’d been eavesdropping all day. Talen’s suffering at Janie’s impending date tickled him. Jordan had never really thought about having a family, but now that it was too late, a sense of loss centered in his chest. He’d heard the truth earlier in Emma’s tone—the antiviral wouldn’t work by the time he needed it. Which was now.

Old doubts crowded in. How could Brent be alive? Though, well now, that would be fate’s idea of a freakin’ joke. Jordan’s darkest moment, coming back to haunt him just as death knocked on his door.

The moments before that one ... they were good. Full of carefree laughter and way too much juvenile fun. Even then, he and Conn Kayrs had been the best of friends, causing havoc.

Jordan shut his eyes against the last week of his life, memories flooding in. Three centuries ago, the leaders of his pride had relocated them to the mountains of the new country. Away from rumors, away from humans who suspected some people could change into animals, the mountains of what became the United States seemed a safe place to land.

The turn of the century had created a new ample playground for vampires and shifters. Jordan and Conn had committed themselves to exploration. For years, the two of them had wandered, meeting newly arrived folks as well as those who’d lived in the area for so long.

Awakening one morning in a ramshackle barn, straw stuck to his forehead, Jordan had looked for his friend. The vampire had stumbled in, his green eyes bloodshot and a stupid grin on his face. “Where’s the lady?”

Jordan groaned, pushing to his feet. He smelled like cow dung and ale. “Probably hurried back to her husband. Lucky fellow.”

Conn had snorted. “We might need to leave the area for a bit. Farmers get particular about their daughters.”

“Did you finally choose one, then?” Jordan swayed, the ale from the previous night making his head ache. There had been three curvy women vying for Conn’s attention at the barn raising across the dusty town.

“Not exactly one.”

“Your parents would kill you.” Jordan grimaced, as his parents wouldn’t be too happy, either. Of course, he and Conn were just in their early twenties and responsibility wouldn’t arrive for a century, maybe two. At least Jordan didn’t have to worry about ruling his people, like the Kayrs men did.

Conn shrugged. “They should be finishing up at the world symposium brokering deals with the new land in play now that the Kurjans finally want to be part of the Realm. My mum was looking forward to seeing yours again.”

“Yes—they’ll have a good time together.” Even though Jordan’s father wasn’t the leader of a pride, he was a statistical genius, and often advised his cousin, their ruler. “Well, what do you think about heading west and really exploring? It appears to be all mountains and wildlife. Might be fun.”

“I don’t know. Civilization appeals to me. All the women and ale, I mean.” Conn rubbed his chin. “I wanted Dage to come over and have some fun, but he’s so bogged down in duty. It’s like he thinks he’ll take over soon, rather than a thousand years from now.”

A chill swept down Jordan’s spine. “The guy is psychic.”

Conn laughed. “I know. Which so far has just made him difficult to beat in games. We need to come up for a plan next time we have a vampire/shifter soccer match.”

“We will.” Jordan smiled at his best friend. Life was fantastic, he had amazing friends, and the world was his. No responsibility for a while, and a whole new continent to explore. “For now, let’s go scale mountains.”

Conn stiffened.

Tension spiraled through the barn. Jordan pivoted toward the door. Power lay on the other side ... raw power.

Conn frowned, sliding open the door.

Dage Kayrs stood on the other side, a frown on his face, fury in his silver eyes.

“Dage, you’re here.” A wide smile covered Conn’s face that slowly disappeared as he took in his brother. “How did you find us?”

“I teleported a few towns over and have been looking for you.” Dage took a deep breath. “I have bad news.”

Jordan shook himself back to the present, not wanting to relive the moment when he discovered the Kurjans had engineered a brilliant massacre, taking out the leaders of the Realm. Taking out his parents.

Keeping his eyes closed, he took several deep breaths.

Pain exploded across his cheekbone. His eyes flashed open to see a fist coming at him again. He ducked, pivoting around to see the threat. “What the fuck?”

Connlan Kayrs settled his stance. “I’m tired of this shit.”

“What shit?” The bastard had coldcocked him for no reason. Anger swirled deep in Jordan’s gut. He dropped into a fighting stance.

“This ... I give up ... I’m gonna be a werewolf... bullshit.”

Garrett loped into the hallway. “Uh, Uncle Conn? You’re supposed to go to the gym next time you wanna hit somebody.”

Conn growled low. “You’re right. Let’s go, cat.”