Enemy Mine

Chapter Eleven

Sadie.

The desperation in Trey’s voice disrupted her dream, jolting Sadie from a sound sleep. The dream seemed so real—too real. The way he said her name, as though he was saying goodbye, made her stomach churn. If he could reach out to her while she slept their connection was stronger than she’d thought. He was in danger, she could feel it.

Blessed Goddess.

She rolled from her bed and rushed to her wardrobe. During Trey’s absence she had monitored a small group of Shepherds that had come into the area. Some of them had taken to wearing clothing that allowed them to blend in with the residents of the city, moving into homes in lower-class areas to remain undetected. But most city residents didn’t wear cowboy boots, and “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” weren’t common phrases used in New York.

Shepherds stood out if you looked closely, even if they tried to hide among the masses.

Could one of the groups hurt him? Take him somewhere? Had he dropped his guard long enough to let them get their hands on him? Granted, she hadn’t thought the delusional hunters were a threat just yet. Just shy of a half-dozen, they couldn’t possibly take out the shifters surrounding them. It would be suicide to try.

Damn it. You stumbled onto them by accident. How could Trey have possibly known they were in New York?

Why hadn’t she warned him when she had the chance? He could have told Diskant Black, who would have made sure the shifters under his protection were properly prepared. Why had she neglected to share something so important?

Because you were angry, and you ran from him like a scorned lover.

Her blood ran cold as her fangs descended, brushing against her lower lip—a result of her rising anger. If someone harmed him, they’d pay in blood. If anyone was going to inflict damage on Trey’s gorgeous body, it would be her. His words had hurt, lancing her chest, but she didn’t want him dead.

She’d just managed to slide into a pair of leather pants and pull a sweater over her head when one of her coven walked in. After she glanced up to confirm the identity of her guest, she continued getting ready. Leigh didn’t ask questions, she simply watched as Sadie went about her usual routine, fitting weapons into the sheaths on her legs before sliding into the harness that kept her sword in place on her back.

Sadie took a glance at her sister-in-magic, noting Leigh was too thin, too damn pale. The newest addition to the coven was a made vampire who struggled with her vampirism, as well as her newfound powers. Leigh had been nothing more than a kid who happened to be of mage lineage—something she didn’t even know until she was changed. Being converted was difficult enough but it was something that never should be forced, not on a twenty-two-year-old who didn’t even know supernatural things existed. That’s why the head of the coven had invited Leigh into their home, giving her a sanctuary where she could feel safe. Unfortunately over a year had passed and she still refused to acclimate to her surroundings.

She fought the change. Fought her magic. Fought who and what she had become.

Damn the maker who turned her and left her to survive on her own. If I ever find him, he’s going to be food for the fishes.

“What’s wrong?” Leigh’s voice was as soft as her features, the words light as a feather. She’d braided her long dark hair in a plait down her back. Her penguin pajamas were too big for her willowy frame, hanging off her like a sack. Like this, she looked like a teenager at a slumber party. Not like a vampire with the power to destroy someone if she wanted to.

“I have to go out,” Sadie said and guided her sword into its sheath. “Something’s happened.”

“To your werewolf?” When Sadie’s head jerked upward, Leigh laughed. “Don’t be so shocked. Everyone knows. In a house this small secrets come out.”

“I’ve been staying at the healing caverns to avoid gossip,” Sadie grumbled.

“But you return home late last night, smelling of wolf, and won’t talk to any of us. It isn’t difficult to put two and two together.”

Sadie took a deep breath and counted to ten. Living in a home with five mage vampire females meant tongues often wagged. “You should be focusing on yourself, not me,” she said, studying Leigh. There were dark circles under her eyes, the healthy glow she’d had a month ago long gone. “How long as it been since you fed?”

Leigh’s dark blue eyes slitted and her lips pressed together. “I’m fine.”

“So it’s been a month then? You haven’t eaten since the coven forced you?”

“I don’t want to feed,” she grimaced as she said the word, “unless it’s necessary. I can go without for a couple more weeks.”

Poor creature.

Leigh starved herself because the thought of ingesting blood disgusted her. Sadie remembered when they’d first brought her into their home. Leigh was desperate to eat normal things, even though it provided her no sustenance. After a couple weeks, when the hunger didn’t abate, she learned the truth. Discovering she’d have to take blood nearly broke her, and it had taken the power of the coven to make her hunt to survive.

Inspiration struck. Leigh would feed if she had a job to do and leaving the house might seem like an escape to the girl. “Not if you’re going to help me.”

As she expected, Leigh perked up. “Really? You want me to help you?”

“That I do.”

Sadie strode to her wardrobe and removed something she never should have taken. Months ago, when Emory and Trey had fought each other, Trey had forgotten to retrieve his jacket. She hadn’t been able to help herself and had swooped in to take it when no one was looking. Afterward she’d brought it home so she could wrap the material around her and pretend it was Trey’s arms instead. On a few nights, when the need for the man was unbearable, she’d retrieve the coat and bring it to her bed. There she would cuddle against the garment, imagining it was his body next to her instead of buttery leather.

“We’re going to have to locate the wearer,” Sadie said. “I need you to use it to take me to him.”

“It belongs to your werewolf, doesn’t it?” When Sadie nodded Leigh frowned. “I’m not sure I can.”

“Because you’ll have to feed?”

A spark of temper lightened Leigh’s eyes. “Because I’ll have to drink someone else’s blood? Yes.”

“I’d owe you a debt,” Sadie offered, trying to appeal to the woman and not the girl who continued to resent her circumstances. “He’s in danger. Help me find him.”

“I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with him.”

“More gossip?” Sadie asked, cringing at how bitter the question came out.

“No, not gossip.” Leigh’s cheeks finally took on color as she blushed. “Everyone in the coven knows vampires don’t mate with shifters. It’s taboo.”

“They’re feeding you bullshit,” Sadie snapped, her patience paper thin. “It’s not taboo, it’s just dangerous. Putting a label on things makes it easier but the coven is trying to deceive you. Once you feed on a shifter you can’t feed on any other. You become bound to their blood—only their blood. If you don’t have it, you’ll starve.”

Leigh’s eyes sparkled at the information, as though she’d been given an enormous gift. “So that’s why they avoid shifters?”

“Yes, that’s exactly why. They’d have to put their lives into another’s hands, something vampires refuse to do. It’s not a pairing to be taken lightly. Once you take their blood, it’s a done deal. There is no turning back or changing your mind. You’re in it for eternity.”

“You run from it as they would,” Leigh whispered. “You’ve known about your mate for months yet you continue to fight what’s between you.”

Sadie fought a smile. Apparently Leigh was finally growing a backbone. Months ago she never would have come out of her shell. She might have thought something, but she never would have said it. Not aloud.

“It’s complicated.”

“All of this is complicated.” Leigh sighed, bowed her head and sat on the bed. “Since I was converted, the entire world has changed. It’s not easy.”

“Then I figure it’s time for you to use the powers you inherited. You have a special gift, Leigh. One that none of us were granted. With it you can help me find Trey. That’s what I’m asking you for. Help me find him. I think he’s in trouble.”

“Trey?” Leigh lifted her head. “That’s his name?”

It was the first time Sadie had mentioned Trey’s name, having grown accustomed to her sisters referring to his kind as wolf-men, werewolves and mutts. With Leigh it wasn’t as hard to be open and honest. The girl wore her heart on her sleeve.

“That’s his name.”

“I’ve never seen a shifter before.” She fiddled with the comforter, picking nervously at small nothings on the surface. “It might be exciting to see one in person.”

“Then you need to get dressed and we need to feed.” Sadie saw the panic in Leigh’s eyes when she looked up, the fear. “I’ll help you. You don’t have to do it alone. One bite won’t change someone. If you control your fangs like we’ve taught you, your donor won’t get any of your essence. It’s safe to eat when you need to, Leigh. I swear.”

“I want to help you. I just don’t…I don’t want to…”

“I know,” Sadie said softly. “And you won’t. You won’t change anyone.”

Leigh nodded and sat upright, collecting her courage. “When do we need to leave?”

“Before the rest of the coven rises.” She glanced around the room, making sure she had everything she needed. “You’ll need to dress in the clothing we gave you, so you can move undetected.” Guilt hit, a solid punch to the solar plexus, and Sadie knew she had to be completely honest. “Do you remember what we told you about Shepherds?”

“They have him?” Leigh’s eyes went wide. “That’s where we’re going?”

Sadie nodded. “I’m pretty sure that’s what we’re dealing with. It could get nasty. You need to know that up front. I need your help but I’m not going to lie to you.”

“Why now?” The conflict on Leigh’s face made Sadie’s guilt increase. “Why would you trust me with something so important?”

“Because you’re family,” Sadie said bluntly. “And it’s time you start getting comfortable with what you are and what you can do. I can’t give you back what was taken from you but I can show you life goes on.”

“When you find him, what will you do? From what everyone has told me shifters don’t exist without their mates. He won’t let you go.”

The smile Sadie plastered to her face was fake but she hoped Leigh didn’t see through the façade. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” She glanced at the hall. “You need to hurry. We don’t have a lot of time.”

Sadie didn’t release the breath she was holding until Leigh rose from the bed and rushed from the room. What an enormous mess. Trey knew what she was to him now—his mate. If she went into Shepherd territory he’d be able to identify her. She shivered at the remembrance of his arms around her, the touch of his lips against hers. That part had been glorious. What stung came afterward, when he’d treated her like nothing more than a whore with his words, putting her in her proper place and reminding her why they couldn’t be together.

Despite herself, she brought his jacket to her nose and inhaled. As always, the scent that came to her was fascinating and debilitating. She allowed herself to take in one final lungful, imagining things were different, knowing they couldn’t be.

Lowering the coat, she accepted that no matter what she’d save Trey. Afterward she’d leave him alone. He didn’t owe her anything. Theirs was a mating that was doomed from the start. Starvation wasn’t something she was keen on experiencing and with Trey that precise thing would happen. Unlike Leigh, she had to feed at least once a week, sometimes twice. Hunger varied for all vampires. Some needed more, some needed less. In her case going without nourishment for a month would likely kill her—a death that was sure to be slow and agonizing.

That was why she had to keep her head on straight and do what needed to be done before moving on. Regardless of if it hurt and despite her feelings, she couldn’t have Trey Veznor.

The price was too steep.