Chapter Four

Neal could hardly believe his eyes. Only the chaotic swirl of colors in his ring proved to him that he wasn’t just experiencing a bout of wishful thinking. Viviana real y could save him.

If she chose to do so.

She tugged on the hand he had pinned against his chest, but Neal wasn’t ready for her to stop touching him yet. He was dealing with enough without adding an avalanche of pain on top of it.

“What do you mean?” she asked. “What’s wrong with you? You seem perfectly healthy to me.”

“How much do you know about lifemarks?”

“I read they were magical images put on men at birth that marked them as one of the Theronai.”

“That’s partly true. We’re born with the mark, though it’s merely a seed at that time. It sprouts and grows as we do.”

“How is that possible? A tattoo doesn’t grow.”

“It’s not a tattoo. It’s a living mark that’s as much a part of us as freckles or a birthmark—like the ring-shaped one you have.”

She sucked in a shocked breath. “How did you know about that? I know you haven’t seen it.”

The fact that she bore the mark of a female of his race was simply more proof he was right.

Neal smiled and leaned closer. “Where is it, sweetheart? Want to show me? I showed you mine.”

She turned a lovely shade of pink and her spine straightened. “You were explaining to me exactly how I’m supposed to save you.”

“See how bare my lifemark is?”

She looked down and he knew what she saw. He had only a few precious leaves left hanging on.

“The leaves are gone.”

“That’s right. When the last one fal s, my soul starts to die. I’l become evil and twisted. Unless I kil myself first, which I’d planned to do, right up until I met you. You can save me from that fate.”

To his relief, she didn’t seem appal ed at how much he needed her, only curious. “How?”

“There’s power inside me, power I can’t use. I’ve been col ecting it since I was a boy, saving it for the one woman who could use it. You’re that woman, Viviana.”

She let out another indelicate snort—the only unladylike sound he’d heard her make al night.

Even her screams of fear were prim and proper. “No, I’m not.”

He pressed his hand harder over hers, pushing a few sparks of energy from his chest into her skin. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t feel that.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.

More sparks fled his lips and jumped eagerly into her as if they’d been waiting to make the trip for years.

“This can’t be happening.”

“Why not? You said you’ve been studying us. You should know al about this.”

“None of my books covered . . . this. It’s al too much. I need some time to think.”

A pang of disappointment fel over Neal, but he was tough. He could take it. Some things simply couldn’t be forced. Getting a woman to commit the rest of her life to him was definitely one of those things.

“Okay. I’l back off, but not about the gadget. I need it. Torr needs it. I won’t take no for an answer.”

She gave him a shaky nod. “Al right. It’s obvious to me there are a lot of things I don’t know. If you promise to take me with you and answer my questions along the way, then I’l take you to the artifact.”

“It’s a deal.”

Neal pul ed up to the home of the retired Professor Reynolds, the man who had possession of the healing device.

“Al the lights are out,” said Viviana. “I hate to wake him.”

Her slender fingers were laced through his, and even though it made driving harder, he wasn’t about to let go. He’d been pain-free for nearly an hour now, and it was enough to make him euphoric.

“I’m sure he won’t mind, considering this is an emergency.”

“I want to tel him about you. He loves these artifacts as much as I do. That’s why I loaned the disks to him.”

“Maybe some other time. I’m not sure I could handle another barrage of scholarly questions tonight. I might go hoarse.”

Truth was, he hadn’t minded her nonstop questions at al . The fact that she was interested in him and his people was just going to make her transition into his world that much easier.

He knew how hard it had been on Helen to leave behind her human upbringing. He hoped Viviana’s background would make it easier on her.

He real y did want things to be easy on her. The thought of her suffering made him want to pound on something with his bare fists. Not good for his careful y held control.

Neal kept her hand in his as he hopped out of the truck. She scooted to the edge and stopped.

Her hazel eyes were dark with worry as she stared at him for a long moment. “What am I doing?”

“Helping a man in need?”

She looked at their joined hands. “I can’t stop touching you. I feel like a kid with a crush, and I don’t even know you. This is not like me at al .”

She was getting cold feet, letting al the confusion and questions sink into that clever head of hers. “No? What are you like?”

“Slow. Methodical. I think things through. I don’t jump into trucks with strange men in the middle of the night and hold their hands.”

“I’m your first, then?” he teased.

She didn’t smile. “I’m scared, Neal. This whole thing scares me more than those monsters ever could. You’re tel ing me that my whole life has been a lie. That I’m not even human.”

“Nothing about your life is a lie. You just didn’t know your own family tree, that’s al .”

“You think I’m going to save your life.”

“I won’t pretend it’s not what I want. I don’t want to die. I want to keep fighting. I honestly never thought I’d find you in time, but now that I have . . .”

“You want to keep me.”

“We’l go slow,” he promised. “I stil have time. I’m not going to force you into anything you don’t want.”

“My life as I know it is over, isn’t it?”

He trailed a finger over her cheek, reveling in the softness of her skin. She was so pretty. So elegantly unattainable. He had no business with a woman like her, even if his luceria thought otherwise. “I prefer to think of it as the start of a new life for you—one surrounded by the people you’ve been reading about for years. This wil be your chance to study us in a way no one else ever has: from the inside.”

“You’re pushing al the right buttons to gain my cooperation, aren’t you?”

“Sweetheart, if I’m ever lucky enough to push your buttons, you won’t wonder why I’m doing it.

You’l know.”

That delightful pink flush rose up from the prim col ar of her shirt, making Neal wonder just how far down her blush went. He could think of a lot better ways to be passing the night with her than showing up uninvited at some stodgy professor’s house.

He’d strip her out of al those proper clothes and get as much skin-on-skin contact as possible.

The play of sparks between them—the feel of minute traces of his power soaking into her skin—

would be enough to light the sheets on fire. And even though he wasn’t supposed to want a woman like Viviana, the luceria thought they’d be good together.

Who was he to argue with centuries of proof that the system worked? If the luceria wanted him to have her, he was going to enjoy convincing her to play along with tradition.

And part of that convincing was getting her thinking in the right direction.

He cupped the back of her neck and pul ed her toward him. She went along for the ride, closing the distance between them. She slid forward on the seat, which shoved her skirt up her thighs.

Neal stepped up, wedging himself between her knees so he could get as close as he needed to be.

Her eyes slid to his mouth and he knew in that moment that he had her. Victory surged through him, making him feel stronger, more powerful. Just the thought of this woman wanting to kiss him was enough to send him into overdrive. Bring on the battle. Let a dozen charging Synestryn bear down on him. He’d take them al out. Not one of them would get close to his lady.

A low sound of warning rose up from his chest and there wasn’t a thing he could do to stop it.

He felt Viviana stiffen slightly under his hand, but it was too late for second thoughts now.

He pressed his lips to hers, forcing himself to keep things light. No open mouths. No tongue.

Just the contact of her lips on his.

It wasn’t even close to enough.

He wanted more. Desire spread through his body, pooling in his gut, making his limbs vibrate.

His luceria was freaking out, hopping around on his skin as if celebrating the contact.

Against his wil , his fingers tightened around her neck, stroking slightly over her bare nape. He wanted to taste her there, to kiss and suck and bite while he took her from behind.

His cock was throbbing and swol en, and the need to push her legs wide and rub himself against her was swiftly taking over al rational thought. He slid a hand up her thigh, feeling the silkiness of her stockings, then the even softer texture of her bare skin. Thigh-highs. Naughty girl under al that prim-and-proper.

Just the thought made him lose control.

Neal opened his mouth to deepen their kiss, but she was way ahead of him. Her tongue danced across his lips, flicking against his, making his blood heat. She fisted her hands in his shirt, jerking him closer, and al he could think was that he wished he hadn’t put it back on. He’d give anything to feel her palms against his bare chest again—feel his lifemark arcing to connect with her.

She slid to the edge of the seat, widening her thighs to make plenty of room for his body. The bite of her fingernails through his shirt was an exquisite torture, but not nearly as good as the sharp little nips of her teeth on his bottom lip.

A soft, feminine moan fil ed the space between them. Cold air swirled around them.

He’d have to keep her warm, cover her body with his. Not that he’d mind. He’d be her living blanket any day of the week and count himself a thousand kinds of lucky.

Neal cupped her breast, feeling the slippery silk fabric of her blouse warm between them. Her nipple puckered in his palm, though the damn layers of fabric she wore kept him from feeling it the way he wanted. He wondered if her nipples would tighten like that for his mouth, too.

Only one way to find out.

A sound of cracking ice came from behind him. Instincts as deeply a part of him as his own bones rose up, shouting a warning.

Neal ripped himself away from Viviana, drawing his sword as he moved. A dump truck ful of agony unloaded on his head, tearing a pained cry from his throat.

He fought the need to double over, gritting his teeth to stay standing. The tip of his sword trembled, but he kept it up.

“What is it?” asked Viviana, her voice tight with sudden fear.

“Heard something.”

Slowly, the pain receded until it was no longer draining him of strength. It stil pounded through him, but now it was at the level where it was just pissing him off.

He searched the area, channeling tiny motes of power to his eyes so he could see through the murky darkness.

Nothing. No movement, no glowing eyes, nothing but the white landscape and the muted silence of snowfal .

“I guess it was just a tree branch cracking in the wind,” he said. His instincts weren’t usual y so faulty, but he had been more than a bit distracted a few seconds ago. “We should go inside.”

Where he could protect her better if the shit did hit the fan.

He turned around just in time to see her pul her skirt back down, giving him only the briefest of glimpses of black silk stockings against pale, smooth skin.

Her mouth was red, and a few strands of hair had escaped her spinsterish bun. He could see her rapid pulse shimmering in the fabric covering her breasts. Her nipples were stil hard, making Neal’s mouth water.

He promised himself they’d get back here—to where her mouth was on his and he could feel the damp heat between her thighs against his fly. They’d get back to that moment, and when they did, he wasn’t going to stop until she lay hot and sated beneath him.

Maybe not even then.

Unfortunately, business came first. Once they got the gadget, he’d take her back to Dabyr, where he could take his time with her. Linger. He definitely wanted to linger over the lovely Viviana Rowan. No question there.

Being careful not to touch her skin, he zipped his jacket up over her to keep her warm. The thing was way too big, fal ing over her hands, but it would work until they could find something that fit her better. And if any demons came their way, the magical y enhanced leather would provide her with at least a little protection.

Once she was bundled and warm, he turned his attention back to the job at hand.

Professor Reynolds lived in an old farmhouse in the country, with only a few neighbors visible in the distance. Round bales of hay dotted the surrounding land, their tops covered in the accumulating snow. Everything was white and pristine, including the sidewalk leading up to the professor’s front door.

Neal helped Viviana traverse the slippery sidewalk in her high heels. She rang the bel . Neal looked up at the house, but no lights came on.

“Maybe he’s a heavy sleeper.”

She rang again. And again.

A bad feeling started to creep up Neal’s spine. “Could he be out of town?”

“I talked to him earlier today. He didn’t mention anything like that.”

Neal reached for the knob. It turned easily. “Unlocked.”

“Not much need for locks out here. The professor likes it because it’s quiet and he can work without interruption.”

The house was dark. Neal stepped inside, drawing his sword. Just in case. “Stay behind me.”

The foul smel of sewage fil ed the air, and beneath that was a musty animal smel . Synestryn.

They’d been here.

There were stairs leading up on his left and three doors exiting the entryway.

“His study is to the right,” whispered Viviana. He could hear the fear in her voice, the worry. As much as he wanted to comfort her, now was not the time.

Neal peered through the doorway she indicated. Snow had made it bright outside, and some of Neal peered through the doorway she indicated. Snow had made it bright outside, and some of that light streamed in from a window behind a huge desk. A man was slumped over the desk, lying at an odd angle.

Neal hoped the man was just asleep, but he doubted they’d get that lucky.

He stepped inside the door and positioned Viviana with her back to the wal . As he moved, he inadvertently cleared the path for her to see the professor. She let out a frightened gasp and started to move toward him. Neal grabbed her arm and pushed her back. “Stay here. I’l check him out.”

“Something’s wrong with him, isn’t it?”

Neal didn’t reply. He crept forward, keeping his eyes open for signs of movement. Some of the Synestryn were smal and he didn’t want any of them getting near Viviana.

A cold tendril of wind wrapped around Neal’s legs, and as he stepped forward, he could see the window had been broken out, leaving a gaping, bloody hole. He could also see that the bottom half of the professor’s body was missing. The top half was lying on the desk and blood dripped down onto the leather office chair.

“Oh God,” breathed Viviana. She was right next to him now, staring in horror at her friend’s remains. She stepped forward, but Neal caught her before she could get too close.

“There’s nothing you can do for him. We need to get the gadget and go.” Before the Synestryn found them, too. “Where would he have kept it?”

Her eyes were brimming with tears, and the tendons in her neck were standing out as she struggled not to cry. “We need to cal the police. Find the person who did this.”

“It wasn’t a person. It was a demon, like those that came for you tonight. If we cal the police, chances are we’l just get them kil ed, too. We need to focus.”

She was staring at the body, her eyes wide, her chin quivering.

Neal moved to block out the sight of her dead friend. He cupped her face in his hands and tilted it up to look at him. Her skin was so soft and warm under his fingers. He felt delicate sparks of energy jumping from him into her, making his palms tingle. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wish we’d gotten here sooner.”

“He was a sweet old man. Why would anyone do this?”

Good question. Clearly the man wasn’t blooded, or they’d have taken the whole body and not left a pool of blood lying wasted on the floor. Synestryn fed on traces of ancient blood running through certain humans. They used it to fuel their magic, but this man hadn’t been kil ed for that, which left only one reason. “He had something they wanted.”

“The artifact he was studying for me?”

Neal figured it would crush her to think she’d been the cause of her friend’s death. “We can’t know for sure. What I do know is that we need to find it.”

She sniffed and nodded. Her eyes closed and he felt the strangest sensation vibrate in the air between them. It was almost as if she were pul ing on those sparks he kept giving off—like they were iron filings and she was a magnet.

A moment later, the feeling subsided and she opened her eyes. “There were two disks in the box. One of them is stil here. Nearby. The other . . .” She shook her head. “It’s too far away for me to feel it.”

“Feel it?”

Her gaze drifted to the floor as if she were ashamed. “I don’t know how it works, but I can feel certain artifacts when they get close. Those disks were like that for me.”

That news left Neal reeling. Every female Theronai seemed to have some kind of specialty, but if hers was finding Sentinel artifacts, she was going to be invaluable to them.

Assuming she agreed to become part of their world.

He couldn’t forget that other women like her had balked at the notion of leaving their human world behind. Viviana had already been through a lot tonight. He couldn’t push her, no matter how much the need to do so burned in him.

Right now, when he was touching her like this, and the pain was gone, it was easy to be patient.

But as soon as he had to let go, and that mountain of pain came crashing down on top of him again, patience was a lot scarcer.

He couldn’t force her to accept his luceria. It had to be her choice, and lingering here in the room with the body of her dead friend was not the way to convince her to make the right one.

“I don’t want you to watch,” he told her. He was going to have to move the body and he didn’t want her seeing anything . . . upsetting.

She gave a tight nod and turned around, pul ing from his grasp.

Neal clenched his muscles, readying himself for the agony he knew was only a heartbeat away.

He tried to prepare himself for it, but there was no preparing for the seething weight that bore down on him, crushing the air from his lungs.

A high, strangled sound hissed through his teeth, and he reeled inside the grip of that pain, powerless to stop it from tearing him apart.

Long seconds later, he was sweating and shaking, but at least his vision began to return.

If anything had happened during that moment of incapacitation—if the Synestryn had attacked—

there wouldn’t have been a thing he could have done to stop it. He would have been unable to protect Viviana.

And that thought was the one that changed his mind about patience. He had to convince her to take his luceria and end his pain. Tonight. It was the only way he could ensure that she stayed safe.

But not here. Not in this house. He couldn’t do that to her.

Neal made quick work of searching the professor’s desk for the disk. When he didn’t find it, he moved to the man’s pockets, and there, deep inside the pocket of his sweater, lay the cold, metal, palm-size disk.

He shoved it into his jeans pocket and eased the man’s remains to the floor. He grabbed a crocheted throw from the back of a nearby recliner and draped it over his body.

“Time to go,” he said, grabbing Viviana’s arm with his clean hand as he left the room.

“Did you find anything?”

“Yes.” He ducked into a bathroom he found down the hal and washed the blood from his hand, keeping the light off so she didn’t have to see the mess. “You said you can sense these objects?”

“If they’re close.”

He hurried them out the front door, keeping a grip on her arm so she wouldn’t slip. “How close?”

“I can usual y tel whenever one of them comes into the city.”

He had to find that second disk. From what little Gilda had told him, he didn’t think the gadget would heal without both halves, and Torr was running out of time. “Do you have any sense of direction as to where the second disk went?”

“I don’t know. I have to concentrate,” said Viviana.

“Got it.”

They got in his truck and he fired up the engine and drove back down the gravel driveway.

“Where are we going?”

“Just warming up the engine so we can get some heat,” he lied. Truth was he didn’t want any nosy neighbors to see his truck and report it to the police when they eventual y found the professor’s body. With any luck, the truck’s tire tracks would be fil ed in with snow before anyone else knew of the professor’s death.

Neal drove a few miles and pul ed into the entrance to some farmland. A snow-covered chain barred his path, but for now, this was as good a place as any to stop. It was nice and open around them, giving him a clear view if any monsters headed their way.

“Okay. Do your thing,” he said.

Her body was rigid in the seat, and he could see shiny streaks where her tears of grief had final y fal en.

Neal wanted to pul her into his arms and offer some kind of comfort, but he didn’t dare. He stil felt battered from the previous time he’d stopped touching her bare skin, and he wasn’t sure how much more punishment he could take. If the pain did eventual y kil him, she’d be left unprotected.

Viviana closed her eyes, squeezing out more tears. Seeing her cry damn near broke his heart, but there was nothing he could do to bring back her friend. He didn’t even have a freakin’ tissue to give her. The only things he had to offer were a strong sword arm and his desperation for her to save him. It made him a needy bastard, but there wasn’t much he could do about that.

A few seconds later, she let out a disheartened sigh. “I can’t feel it. It’s too far away. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes started tearing up again, and Neal couldn’t stand it any longer.

He slid across the seat and gathered her in his arms. She tucked her head against his shoulder, melting into him. Her fingers clenched in his shirt and he could feel the tremors of her grief tumbling through her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Don’t worry. We’l figure something out.”

“I kil ed him. I gave him that artifact and it brought those things here.”

“We don’t know that’s what happened.”

“Don’t patronize me. That’s exactly what happened. And now I can’t even find the artifact they stole.”

Neal hesitated only a moment before he made up his mind. Sure, she knew little about his world or who she real y was. And no, she didn’t know about what he was going to ask her to do or what it might cost her. But what he did know was that the luceria thought they belonged together, and after seeing the happy matches his Theronai brothers had made, he wasn’t going to question the gift that was being offered to him. He was going to grab it with both hands and hold on as tight as he could.

Viviana was meant to be his, and he was going to make it happen.

“I can help you with that,” he offered. “I’ve known women like you before who had powers and I know how to amplify them. Make them stronger.”

She pul ed away enough to look into his eyes. “How?”

And here was the tricky part. He fished the humming band of the luceria out from under his shirt to show it to her. “Al you have to do is wear my luceria.”