Provoked

CHAPTER 29

Kane finished his run on the treadmill, sweat pouring down his back. He’d tossed his shirt across the room about an hour into the run. Two hours later, and still his mind remained muddled.

He’d left Amber sleeping peacefully in his bed, looking like an angel. A sexy-as-hell angel. He’d mated her. The moment had cemented itself securely in his soul. Hell, the woman was in his heart.

What was he going to do with her?

Heavy boots clomped down the hall, and Talen stepped inside the gym.

He sniffed the air and straightened, gaze serious on Kane. “You mated her.”

Kane jumped off the treadmill. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Irritation pricked the back of Kane’s neck. “Excuse me?”

Talen settled his stance. “Why did you mate her?”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” While Kane didn’t need to resort to violence, he had no problem employing it.

A smirk lifted Talen’s lips. “I believe I used one-syllable words. Being such a genius, surely you can answer the very simple question of why you mated Amber Freebird.”

Kane lunged. Against all rational thought, he tackled his brother, sending them both sprawling across the mats.

They landed with a sonic boom.

Talen tossed him off and jumped to his feet.

Kane anchored himself with his shoulders and leapt to stand. If he knew his brother, Talen would be swinging all-out soon.

Instead, golden eyes narrowed in sympathy. “Listen, we really don’t have time for you to have some sort of emotional upheaval. If my kicking the crap out of you will help, I’m happy to oblige. But if not, what the hell’s going on?”

“I’d kick the crap out of you.” Truth be told, they were evenly matched. While Talen fought with heat, Kane countered with cold. It’d be a good battle.

“Uh-huh.” Talen scratched his massive head. “Let’s look at this logically so you understand the situation. I’m sure you told yourself you needed to mate Amber to gain her abilities, and so she could gain yours.”

Kane frowned. “Exactly.”

“And, now that the mating is a done deal, deep down you feel unsettled.”

“Exactly.” Thank God somebody understood. Kane studied his brother with a new understanding.

Talen shook his head. “She’s not yours, Kane.”

Fire bubbled up his throat. “I mated her. She wears my mark. Of course she’s mine.”

“You dipshit.” Talen flashed a rare smile. “The woman isn’t yours until she says she’s yours. And that woman—she isn’t going to say the words until you give her everything. Tell her you love her.”

“Love doesn’t exist.” His voice sounded weak even to his ears.

“Why? Because you can’t see it? Can’t measure love under a microscope?”

“Yes.”

Talen drew in a deep breath. “You’re my brother and I’d die for you. In a second and without giving a thought. You know that, right?”

“Yes.” Man, was Talen going to kill him?

“How do you know that?”

Kane’s frown hurt his head. “I just do.”

“Loyalty, brotherhood, and love. Three things you’re absolutely sure about, and you can’t see or examine any of them.” Talen cracked his neck, keeping his gaze on Kane. “Yet you believe.”

Kane blew out a breath. There was definite logic in the statement. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

“Now that’s a fucking shock.”

Kane gave his brother a look. They had more important things to deal with than his newfound emotional distress. “I’m going to need your help with Dage.”

Talen sighed, anger filling his eyes. “Jase is not dead.”

“If he wants to be dead, he’s dead.” Kane wouldn’t truly believe the horrific fact until he saw Jase’s body. “We both saw him go for the sharp rock. Frankly, it’s amazing Jase lasted this long being tortured by demons.”

“He’s tough.” Talen stepped back, as if fleeing the truth.

“Nobody’s that tough.” Kane hated the words as they left his mouth, but he needed at least one of his brothers prepared. “It makes absolutely no sense for the demons to let that video loose—they want us to know it’s almost over.”

“They didn’t let the video loose—we intercepted the transmission.” Rage and denial flashed hard and bright across Talen’s face.

“You don’t believe that any more than I do.”

Talen’s huge hands clenched into fists. “I have to believe he’s alive and we’ll get to him in time.”

“Fair enough. But if we find out otherwise, I’ll need your help with Dage.” The king would blame himself, and Kane would need more than logic to help him. The Realm couldn’t afford for its leader to spiral down into guilt and depression.

“You’ve got it.” Talen’s sigh held both sorrow and determination. “We should have a location on Hilde Freebird soon.”

“When we go after her, I’m not sure about bringing Amber.” Kane braced himself for Talen’s displeasure.

“I wouldn’t bring her, either.” Talen scratched his chin.

Kane started. “But we need her.”

“She’s your mate. You want her to stay here and stay safe, that’s your call,” Talen said mildly. “You should already know that.”

Logically, he did know that fact. “I’m confused.”

Talen clapped him on the back. Hard. “Welcome to the fucking club.”

Amber stretched her neck to check out the intricate marking on her lower back, her butt to the mirror. She’d dragged the full-length antique out of the bathroom and into the bedroom after taking a quick shower. “I have a tramp stamp,” she muttered. Though, the raised K in the middle of a Celtic knot did look kind of cool.

The brand still burned.

She slid her fingers along the fine lines, wincing as the tender skin protested. Yep. He’d marked her but good.

What in the world had she been thinking to allow such a thing? Sure, with the virus, she didn’t have to be tied to Kane forever. But maybe the virus was deadly. Being tied to Kane had to be better than being dead, right?

She smiled. He wouldn’t like that line of thinking. Not that she cared what he thought.

Except she did.

She cared what he thought a lot. Her heart had been more involved than even her body in the marking. What if he couldn’t love? Could she love him enough for them both?

Probably not. Besides. She deserved love, damn it. She deserved to be the most important person in the world to somebody. To a man. To the man who held her heart.

She shook her damp hair.

The vampire was her exact opposite and the last person she would’ve chosen to fall in love with. He ate meat, for goodness’ sake. And the guy probably sacrificed animals on a daily basis in the name of research. Well, even if he didn’t sacrifice animals, he would do so to cure Virus-27.

Of course, the virus was now a threat to her as well as to the other mates.

Mates.

She was a mate. The thought brought both irritation and an odd warming in her abdomen.

How soon would she have Kane’s abilities? He attacked with emotion, sending some kind of waves. Could she attack with the waves? She approached life so differently from Kane . . . maybe she wouldn’t ever be able to attack.

Where was her grandmother? How dare she put herself in danger on purpose?

The door slid open and all six-plus feet of Kane Kayrs sidled inside.

He was sweaty.

Amber’s heart thumped hard.

The vampire was naked to the waist, the strong muscles of his chest glistening. She swallowed. “You look like a romance novel cover.”

He barked a surprised laugh, dark gaze wandering over her nude body. “You look like my greatest fantasy coming to life.”

Now wasn’t that sweet?

Graceful steps forward and he brushed his fingers over the marking. “Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice hoarse.

Tendrils of instant need peaked her nipples and softened her sex. She took a step away from him, reaching for a silk robe he’d left for her earlier. Being naked around Kane was dangerous. She angled the mirror toward him, craning her neck to see.

He frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” Yep. He had a reflection.

Amusement curved his lip. “Stop believing silly legends.”

How the heck was she supposed to know? “Okay. So, what have you found out?”

“Nothing yet. We need to talk. Why don’t you go scout out breakfast in the kitchen while I take a quick shower?” He disappeared behind the bathroom door.

Why in the world did he make an order sound like a request? She knew a freakin’ order when she heard one.

Shaking off irritation, she padded barefoot through the rooms to the small kitchen. The appliances were top-notch, the counters granite, but the lack of a window made her shoulders twitch. She needed to get outside soon.

A round kitchen table sat to the side with bright yellow cushions. She’d bet every cent she owned that somebody else had chosen the cushions.

Opening the refrigerator, warmth flushed through her. He’d stocked up on organic tofu, nuts, and vegetables. Sometimes the hard-assed vampire could be such a sweetheart.

Maybe they could figure out a way to live together.

She frowned. Not without love.

Grabbing all the necessities, she had tofu omelets almost ready when he stalked into the kitchen.

The vampire wore loose sweats, his feet bare, his chest broad. Wet black hair curled at his nape, and his eyes had morphed to a dark violet bordering on black. His harsh features seemed even stronger than usual.

Her mouth went dry.

He glanced at the pan. “Yum.” The deep tenor of his voice lacked enthusiasm.

She grinned. “Sit down. You’ll love properly prepared tofu, I promise.”

“Uh-huh.” He slid gracefully into a chair, hunger on his face. But he wasn’t looking at the food.

Her hands shaking just enough to annoy her, she dished up two plates and carried them to the table. Then she grabbed the organic orange juice from the fridge and poured two glasses.

“Thanks for breakfast,” Kane said, his gaze on the tofu.

“Anytime. Stop staring and try your breakfast.”

He took a deep breath and then ate a small bite. “Hmm.” Eyebrows raising, he took another bite and then frowned. “This is good.”

“See? Tofu takes on the taste of anything else you cook with it, and I use a lot of spices.” She unfolded her napkin. Maybe she should replace all the eggs in headquarters with tofu. “You don’t know everything in the world, Kane.”

“Okay.” He dug in. They ate in silence for a while. Finally, he cleared his plate. “That was good. But I’m still going to eat meat.”

They’d see about that. “To each his own.” She finished half her plate, her stomach full. “What do we need to talk about?”

“Demons, your grandmother, and eternity.” Kane sat back, his gaze thoughtful.

She coughed on her orange juice, quickly swallowing. “That’s quite a list.”

He smiled, but his eyes remained focused. “I know.”

There should be a law about vampires having to wear shirts when talking about important matters. The hard lines of his very impressive chest kept distracting her from reality. Maybe that had been his intention.

She set down her glass. “Demons and my grandmother first.”

“Okay. We’re going to reactivate the tracker embedded in her foot soon, and then we’ll have to go quickly.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“I don’t think you should go.”

That was incredibly sweet. She shoved back from the table, the chair squeaking on the hard stone floor. “We mated so I could learn to attack.”

“Sometimes it takes years for mates to share a gift. Believe me, you’re no stronger today than yesterday.” He shook his head.

“Neither are you, then.”

“True.”

“So together we can use our skills and help save my grandmother, and maybe your brother.” She wouldn’t believe Jase was gone until she saw proof. There were too many uncertainties in war. “Besides, I’m the best shield you have against demons. You need me.”

“I do need you.” His eyes darkened.

Was he talking about just with the demons? Or was it something deeper?

He crossed corded arms. “The last two times you attacked demons, you nearly passed out.”

Logic was the only way to deal with this particular stubborn male. “You’re being an ass.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged, apparently unconcerned.

Logic, damn it. Logic. “I can shield myself, and if I remember correctly, I can help shield you. Maybe if I shield you, you’ll be able to attack and protect us and your brothers. If you’re attacking, the demons will concentrate on defense and not on making the brains of your brothers bleed.”

Kane’s nostrils flared. “That’s quite an image you created.”

“I find visuals help in arguments.” Man, now she was starting to talk like the guy.

He shook his head. “I can’t be worrying about you while also trying to keep Dage from going crazy.”

Dage? The breath swooshed out of Amber’s lungs. “You really do think Jase will figure out a way to die.”

“I really do,” Kane said softly, the words full of pain. “And it’s my job to help my brothers deal with that fact and get out of demon headquarters in one piece while saving your granny.”

She studied him, reality smacking her hard in the face. He didn’t want to believe Jase was going to kill himself—Kane held as much hope as the rest of them. But as usual, he was trying to be the voice of reason and prepare everyone. “Who covers your back, Kane? Who protects you?” Her heart warmed for the man.

He shrugged. “I’m not emotional and don’t need protection.”

But he was, and he did. “Let me help shield you and find my grandmother. She’s my grandmother, and I have to be there. I just know I have to be there.”

He gazed at her, no expression on his face.

Logic wasn’t really working. She’d go over his head to the king, but Dage would probably follow Kane’s advice, especially since Amber and Kane had mated. “I know you don’t trust fate or intuition, but I do. And I need to be a part of the rescue for my grandmother. It’s my risk and my chance.”

He blinked and rubbed both hands down his face. “I don’t know.”

Three words the scientist probably hadn’t muttered very often in his long life.

Amber sighed. “I do know. You’re going to have to trust me at some point, Kane—no matter what happens between us.”

His hands dropped to his lap. Calculation entered his gaze. “Okay. We strike a deal. You’re my mate, Amber. I let you go into danger against every logical reason I have, and you give us a hundred years as mates.”

Surprise shot her shoulders back. “You want a formal contract regarding our relationship?”

“Yes.”

What an ass. Temper nearly had steam shooting from her ears. Plus, the thought spiraled through her brain that Kane had always planned to take her on the mission. This was just manipulation. “So, does this contract of yours detail how many times a day I seek your advice? How many times a year we have dinner together? How many times in a century we fuck like jackalopes?”

He huffed out a chuckle. “I told you, there are no jackalopes. And no, all I want you to agree to is to spend the next century living with me as mates. The rest of your list is totally up to you.”

A hundred years in exchange for him allowing her to do something she had every right to do anyway. Even so, what was a century compared to her grandmother’s life? Amber knew, deep down, she had to be on the raid to rescue Hilde. “It’s a deal with one caveat.”

“Just one?” One dark eyebrow rose.

“Yes. You can release me from the hundred years at any time. The second you do, I have the choice whether to go or stay.” The man had no idea of what she’d do for freedom. He’d want her gone within a month.

He sighed. “Amber, I need to concentrate on curing the virus after we get your grandmother back. The last thing I’ll have time for is you playing a bunch of silly games so I let you go.”

“Take the deal, Kane.”

“Fine. Just so long as you understand that I’ll handle immature behavior as I see fit.”

She frowned. “Meaning what?”

“You act like a brat, and I’ll treat you like a brat.”

Oh, the vampire had no idea who he was messing with. She held out her hand. “It’s a deal.”

His hand enveloped her in a warm, firm grip. “Deal.”

A smile flashed to her lips, and she couldn’t help the challenging curve.

Someone knocked on the door.

Kane froze. Releasing her, he stood. “Stay here.”

Not in a million years. She followed his long strides through the living area to the door.

The king stood on the other side, his face blank, his eyes a burning blue. “We reactivated Hilde’s tracker—she’s on her way to Scotland. We should have her final location within a few hours, and then we’ll go.”

Kane’s shoulders straightened as if he were bracing himself. “And?”

“We intercepted a second video. The demons cut off Jase’s head—he’s dead.”